Writing Skills Prove Valuable in Controlling Processes

Over the last few months I've been working with a team on a complicated global project. As part of the discovery phase, it turns out things are not as they seem. (Quelle surprise!)

What I realized in the process was that if my stakeholders are operating on certain faulty assumptions related to this project, variation and waste enter their workflows.

Fortunately, while not acting as the PM, my training as a writer has conditioned me to "capture" the details in my notes. And, with the help of a fast-moving layout person, I have managed to create written assets that will help wring the variation out of the process. Such as one-page pre-launch checklists and other process guidelines.

Writing is often seen as a "creative" function in an organization. One that provides vision and inspiration. But the other side of the coin is that good writing, especially when captured in a durable form that can help others think about their responses to certain situations, acts as a control on time and costs.

Having learned the importance of "process awareness" from Six Sigma, I naturally think this is a more helpful (and realistic) way to think about the communications function in any organization. What do you think?