SUMMARY
I have wide-ranging experience as a technical writer and editor. Although my recent responsibilities included managing a team of writers, my interest is mainly in creating clear and concise documentation. While the majority of the applications I have documented have been related to banking and brokerage functions, I also have an understanding of systems relating to corporate database management, retailing systems, and insurance products. Throughout my career I have worked with clients, technicians, and management to develop documentation for all types of users, from the installation technician to the end-user. To this end, I created a diverse selection of documents such as installation guides, release notes, and How To guides, to name a few. I have extensive knowledge and practice in the creation of context-sensitive online help and other materials for both Windows-based and browser-based applications. My experience includes planning and designing documentation libraries and I have a broad understanding of the criteria involved. I have worked with both Waterfall and Agile methodology.
EXPERIENCE
April 2016 to August 2016: Contract Technical Writer, Information Builders, Inc., New York
Providing documentation support for a team of technical writers to update end-user documentation including New Features, Upgrade Considerations, User Guides, and Online Help for the WebFOCUS App Studio software.
Documentation development tools include Microsoft Office 2010, Adobe FrameMaker 7.2, HyperSnap DX Version 5, Idiom WorldServer Version 9, and JIRA.
May 2002 to March 2016: Misys International Banking Systems, Inc., New York, NY
Documentation Manager: September 2013 – March 2016
Expert Technical Writer – Team Lead: January 2011 – September 2013
Senior Technical Writer: May 2002 – January 2011
Managed a team of seven writers in New York, Dublin, and Bangalore for the Misys FusionBanking Loan IQ product, a comprehensive commercial lending system that provides both front and back office support, including conforming to all Basel regulations. Documentation development tools included Microsoft Office, RoboHelp 15, SnagIt 8, SharePoint, Captivate 9, Photoshop, and EditPlus 3; languages include HTML, XML, and JQL; other applications included Confluence, JIRA, and SVN.
Tasks included:
Supervised development and writing of all documentation including: Online Help, installation documents, service pack release notes, product-wide document templates, user satisfaction surveys, among others
Worked closely with the Misys Learning Academy to develop training materials for both internal and external users.
Mentored new hires and junior team members
Developed and managed customer-facing documentation portal
Responsible for coordinating tasks among all writers to ensure on time delivery
Maintained the internal documentation library and the index of documents
Trained internal and external users to navigate the documentation portal and use Online Help
Oversaw the revamp of the Online Help system
Created templates and style sheets for Word documents and Online Help systems
Hosted quarterly Documentation Working Group for external clients
1984 – 2002: Consultant Technical Writer/Systems Tester/Programmer
Major Clients
Bankers Trust Company, Canon, Citibank, Gartner Group, Inc., Goldman Sachs, JPMorganChase, Lever Brothers, Logica Data Architects, OSG Ship Management, Royal Insurance Company of America
For one or more major clients:
Designed, wrote, and edited program documentation, technical design documentation, functional specifications, user guides, Online Help, and training material. Created Visio drawings/flowcharts, user guides, and PowerPoint presentations.
Produced visual aids for systems presentations and trained internal and external users on a variety of systems. Developed program and documentation libraries.
Established company intranet for posting manuals, training class schedules, and corporate forms and policies.
Designed and developed several types of quick reference cards in response to user requests for easily accessible procedural help. Designed flip-chart type presentation stand for displaying quick reference cards.
Structured and maintained online problem tracking system for Help Desk Technicians. Worked closely with users and developers to document Help Desk procedures.
Wrote, researched, and edited technical articles on various topics for White Papers and other media
Documented ship-to-shore communications and networking systems which handle parts and stores purchasing for the vessels, vessel maintenance, crew hiring, tracking and payroll, and vessel voyage assignments and monitoring.
Major Applications
Banking and securities:
Check Reconciliation, Storage, and Retrieval; Balance and transaction reporting
Funds Accounting; Multi-Currency Accounting and Reporting
Global Trading and Derivatives Trading
Loan Servicing and Tracking
Securities Processing
International funds transfer, Basel Regulations
Financial Treasury
Disbursement inquiry; Online global disbursements
Business and operations management:
Information analysis, processing, and reporting
Customer information system
Confirmation management system
Client service administrator’s tool-set
Database systems
Insurance and marine:
Ship-to-shore communications and networking
General marine and casualty insurance
EDUCATION
M.A., Art History, Hunter College, New York
B.A., Studio Art, Hunter College, New York
OTHER
Awards: Society for Technical Communication
Award for Excellence in GUI-based user guides; single contributor
Award for online help; documentation development team
College Teaching Experience
Polytechnic University, Brooklyn, N.Y.; Introduction to Computer Documentation