how to collaborate closely on content with subject matter experts

Pair writing:

UX Scotland 2016 Friday, 10th June – Our Dynamic Earth, Edinburgh

Richard Ingram

.com

Content Strategist and Information Designer

@richardjingram

Inspired by the agile technique of pair programming

What ispair writing?

Designing content together with another person from the same source document.

What ispair writing?

We need input from subject matter experts to ensure our content is accurate and meets user needs.

We need input from subject matter experts to ensure our content is accurate and meets user needs.

FINAL

Subject matter expert

Content Designer

Subject matter expert

Pair writing encourages collaboration right from the start of the content design process.

Pair writing encourages collaboration right from the start of the content design process.

Pair writers put a positive form of pressure on each other. They don’t want to let their

Pair pressure

Pair writing encourages effective negotiations between partners with their own set of skills, experience, opinions and assumptions

Pair negotiation

Receiving support and approval from eachpartners the confidence to do things they might be afraid of doing alone.

Pair courage

Pair writing ensures that knowledge is constantly being passed between writing partners. take turns being the teacher and the student.

Pair knowledge

When we practice pair writing, we won’t remember who wrote each line.shared ownership of the content.

Activity 1What do you find difficult about writing alone?

2 minutes

Task: Briefly write down the different challenges you face when

writing alone.

🕑

Time’s up!

Question: Which recurring themes emerged?

🕓

Activity 2Pair drawing

2 minutes

Task: Pair draw a face. Decide between you who will start.

🕑

Time’s up!

Stop drawing!

🕓

2 minutes

Task: Pair draw another face. Whoever started the first drawing

goes second.

🕑

🕓Time’s up!

Question: What did you think of pair drawing?

Activity 3Quick-fire pair writing

•Say “I think…” to propose an idea

•Ask “Do we agree…?” to confirm agreement

•Say “We agree…” to discuss progress towards goals

•Avoid saying “No, but…”; Instead try saying, “Yes and…”

2 minutes

Task: Choose a topic you and your partner would like to write about.

🕑

🕓Time’s up!

Task: Choose who between you will assume the role of writer and editor.

5 minutes

Task: Pair write!

🕑

5 minutes

Task: Switch roles.

🕑

5 minutes

Task: Switch roles back again.

🕑

🕓Time’s up!

Question: What did you think of pair writing?

Try to focus on content that supports the completion of top tasks

Getting started withpair writing.

Try to work with your allies to prove the technique works.

Getting started withpair writing.

Try to practice in environment, where failure is seen as part of the journey.

Getting started withpair writing.

Pair writing cuts the hours subject matter experts will spend alone on unedited drafts.

Pair writing sessions ensure tangible progress.

Pair writing encourages subject matter experts to fully take part in user research.

Returning to Activity 1What do you find difficult about writing alone?

.com@richardjingram

Thank you, Edinburgh!