Project Management

Gary M. Willoughby

425-***-**** ********@*****.*** www.linkedin.com/in/garywil

SUMMARY

Detail-oriented technical writer with diverse experience in the software industry. Collaborated, planned, wrote,

and delivered a wide range of end user documentation in multiple Microsoft Office programs. Used SEO best

practices and feedback metrics to identify and position content for maximum effect. Passionate about building

proficiency and a deep understanding of the subject matter to create help content that best addresses the needs

and skill levels of the reader.

EXPERIENCE

Microsoft

Technical Writer (2008-2014)

• Created and updated end user documentation for Microsoft Excel and Excel Power BI suite. Worked closely

with program managers, product planners, developers, and test engineers to ensure that my content was

technically accurate and to the point.

• Using HTML and JavaScript, conceived, designed and built “Excel Coach” web pages to help Excel users

come up to speed quickly with the PMT, FV, and PV Excel worksheet functions. This innovative help

delivery system lets users “plug in” values, then watch and learn as the coach provides the answer.

http://support.content.office.net/en-us/coach/ExcelCoach_PMT.html

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• Wrote several posts on various Excel 2013 features on the official Microsoft Office Blogs site

http://blogs.office.com/author/gary-willoughby/

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• Created comprehensive set of end user documentation for the Office 2013 Spreadsheet Compare and

Database Compare applications. Collaborated with program management to identify the topics users needed

to quickly get up and running with these new programs.

• Updated select content for Outlook 2013 to better address user needs by improving voice and eliminating

content gaps.

• Utilized organizational and company-wide SEO best practices to improve web metrics and search results.

• Followed voice guidelines to craft topics in language that speaks to users in a friendly and clear way.

Technical Editor (2001-2008)

• Supported teams of Excel, Access, and Project writers with developmental, technical, and copy edits. This

ensured that content was well organized, accurate, and grammatically correct.

• Updated the Microsoft Office Style Guide to include new entries for Excel and Access terms and keep

current with proscribed writing styles.

• As part of a v-team, collaborated with other editors, writers, and our organization’s program management

team to identify top needs for a new content management and authoring system.

Gary M. Willoughby Page 2

Production Engineer (1996-2001)

• Designed, built, tested, and released in-box help files for Microsoft Project 98, 2000, and 2003. These help

files were delivered in two different formats: “.hlp” for Project 98 and “.chm” (HTML format) for Project

2000 and 2003. Used Microsoft Word, Word VBA, FrontPage, XMetal, and MSFT internal tools.

• Over the course of two product releases, guided the Project writing team in the transition to new content

management and authoring systems.

• Built and maintained a content management database on a SQL Server platform for Project 2003.

Excell Data Corp.

Consultant at Microsoft (1995-1996)

• Taking over mid-cycle for a previous consultant, worked with and quickly gained the trust of the team of

Microsoft Project writers to build, test, and release in-box help for Microsoft Project 95. Used Microsoft

Word, Visual Basic, and MSFT internal tools.

• Built a program using Word Basic to convert a collection of several hundred Microsoft Project function help

topics into a format that was delivered as a Microsoft Press book, the Project 95 Language Reference.

EDUCATION

• University of Washington, Certificate in Technical Communication

• City University, Certificate in Accounting

• Washington State University, Bachelor of Arts

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