Operating manual writing team

The writing of an operating manual is a team activity. It is highly unlikely that one person will possess the all of project management, operating, technical, and publishing skills that are required to prepare a good manual. Also interaction between the team members will improve the quality of the final product and will maximize employee participation. 

The writing team must have a clearly defined scope—in particular the team members must have a clear idea at the start of the project as to what defines completion. An operating manual will never be finished, there are always additions and improvements to be made. Nevertheless, the team must have a clear definition as to what constitutes the end point for the project, otherwise the work will drag on forever, or else it will be canceled when the work is only partially complete. 

Once the first edition of the operating manual has been published, the team that executed the project will probably be disbanded. Control of the manual passes from the writing team to the operations and maintenance departments. It is important to have a proper handover for two reasons. First, handover represents a formal and even legal transition—the writers are saying that the procedures are, to the best of their knowledge, accurate, and complete, and the operations department is saying that they are satisfied with the product that they have been given. 

Maintenance engineers on the team write similar manuals discussing the repair, cleaning, lubrication, and operation of all the equipment. They will also decide what spare parts and tools must be available for startup, and make certain these are ordered by the purchasing department. 

---