Portfolio Item 2

Project Details
Case Portfolio
Engl 7765 Editing as Management, Second Summer Session 2012
For class, I was the technical communications manager for a fictional company.
During the course, we had various assignments to demonstrate our learning and
research. At the end of the course, we reworked five of these to include in a case
portfolio.

Critical Refl ection

As a teacher rather than a technical communicator, I found this course and this
resulting portfolio particularly interesting in its varied areas of information and
reflection. The course covered everything from creating a mission statement, goals,
and objectives (page 3) to determining pay scales (page 5) and explaining the value
of a technical communications department (page 8). I learned about the formulas
used to estimate costs for a project and the industry averages for particular work
(Dicks 132-3). The fonts, graphics, and tables could use more work to be toned
down and more user friendly. In addition, I found the concepts of managing a
department translated well to being a better teacher. Specifically, setting goals,
making timetables for project completion, and creating a reward system work well
in the classroom as well as the office.

References
Dicks, R. Stanley. Management Principles and Practices for Technical
Communicators. New York: Pearson, 2004.

A 1-7 rating of the overall satisfaction with the item

7 Considering these were all reworked for a final portfolio, I am satisfied that I did
a competent job.