Professional Experience

Confidential,
4/2008 to 10/2009
Eagan, Minnesota
Sr. Technical Writer.
Researched, drafted, and produced SOX compliance documentation for USPS IT Host Computing Services (servers running multi-platform applications in multiple environments). Responsibilities included analyzing requirements and developing SOPs, process documentation, and system documentation to ensure that USPS financial applications, operating systems, IT infrastructure, and physical Data Centers can become SOX and PCI compliant.
Additional responsibilities:

• Training/mentoring new writers
• Creating IT proposal presentations
• Coordinating project deadlines and deliverables
• Gathering/monitoring/reporting project status to top IT Management

Authoring and graphics software used: MS Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Visio, SharePoint, Adobe Acrobat.

Confidential,
1/2008 to 4/2008
Golden Valley, Minnesota
Sr. Technical Writer.
Analyzed and created system documentation, process documentation, and user procedures for SAS client identification application by interviewing BAs, DBAs, and System Administrators. Responsible for all writing, production, and project coordination with Application Development Manager. Authoring and graphics software used: MS Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Visio, SharePoint, Adobe Acrobat.

Confidential,
10/2007 to 1/2008
Eden Prairie, Minnesota
Sr. Technical Writer.
Developed technical documentation for Web applications by interviewing SMEs, analyzing requirements, and executing test cases. Responsible for all writing, production, and project coordination with Development/QA/Training—while meeting extremely aggressive release schedules. Authoring, graphics, and Source Code Management (SCM) software used: MS Word, Excel, Adobe Acrobat, FrameMaker, StarTeam, MS Project Server/Project Web.

Confidential,
6/2007 to 10/2007
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Technical Writer/Training Developer.
Researched and Tested ADP system functionality to write technical/training content for company-wide ADP training deliverables. Worked with the in-house Training Department to develop interactive demos and tutorials, Quick Reference Guides/Cards, Getting Started guides, and Practice Activities. Authoring and graphics software used: MS Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Adobe Acrobat, Captivate.

Confidential,
2/2007 to 6/2007
Bloomington, Minnesota
Technical Writer/Consultant.
Partnered with the Documentation Team to collaborate and deliver massive aircraft maintenance and support manuals for newly acquired aircraft. Tasks included making extensive template and style guideline decisions and setting up document tracking processes and methodologies. Authoring and graphics software used: Adobe Acrobat, FrameMaker, MS Word, Excel, Documentum.

Confidential,
11/2006 to 12/2006
Plymouth, Minnesota
Sr. Technical Writer/Project Manager.
Responsible for analyzing requirements and developing processes, standards, and documentation for Product Development and IT VP/staff. Other team duties include writing documentation project reports and recommendations, QA testing, preparing test cases, and problem tracking for performance marketing/ recognition program Web sites. Authoring and graphics software used: MS Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Visio.

Confidential,
2/2005 to 10/2006
Maplewood, Minnesota
IT Technical Writer/Training Consultant.

• Developed use cases, activity diagrams, and RUP models for Lotus Notes/Domino Web applications using industry-standard templates and methodology. Participated in IT Business Analyst/SA/Testing review and sign-off meetings.
• Wrote and published training content for corporate-wide HR Time Reporting and Inventory Repository systems. (Including content development, interviewing SMEs, software usability tests, creating lessons, and publishing modules for Web deployment.)
• Documented a Health Care manufacturing system—working with off-site plant personnel and IT analysts to research information and publish a comprehensive Technical Overview that enabled Corporate IT to migrate the plant system to the latest 3M Global IT solution-provider. (Including writing and template, layout, and style creation.)
• Wrote and published Requirements, Configuration, and Training Guides for global Customer Response system for end-user audience in both printed and online formats.
• Documented system IT security processes and procedures within 3M Development and Documentation standards and QA—including adherence to corporate templates and review cycle standards.

Authoring and graphics software used: OnDemand Developer, Captivate, MS Word, Lotus Notes, PowerPoint, Excel, Rational Suite, and Adobe Acrobat. Managed each project independently for IT manager.

Confidential,
11/2004 to 2/2005
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Sr. Technical Writer.
Wrote and published complex technical information for computer systems group who maintain production servers—running multiple hardware, operating systems, and software for the Enterprise. Documentation includes processes, procedures, technical references, standards, and Web content. Responsible for working on a team with operating systems engineers and systems analysts to research information, interview experts, produce review drafts, and publish/deploy top-quality PDF/HTML documents to various Web sites within Wells Fargo. Wrote and published detailed security procedures and White Papers for multiple operating system platforms used by systems engineers for data centers nation-wide. This includes testing and review within highly-regulated IT environments. Authoring and graphics software used: MS Word, Project, Visio, Excel, Adobe Acrobat, PaintShop Pro, and DreamWeaver—in addition to various HTML, SGML, XML editors.

Confidential,
12/1996 to 8/2004
Roseville, Minnesota
Sr. Technical Writer.
Wrote and maintained product information for e-commerce and application development software products, and multiple hardware platforms. Documentation includes user guides, technical references, Web content, and training and marketing materials in various formats. Activities involve collaborating with international sites, test/integration, support personnel, and internal/external vendors to produce quality and accurate documentation that satisfies release and user requirements. Worked within corporate standards, review cycles, templates, and methodologies to adhere to consistent quality document delivery.

Project management/Team Lead responsibilities included coordinating and managing production of deliverables for hardware/software releases by working closely with new/experienced writers, engineers, and project managers to ensure schedules and deadlines are met.

Conducted audience, task, and usability analyses to ensure product information libraries are in synch with customers’ needs. Mentored new writers and supervised writing assignments as Technical Team Lead. Provided management with project reports and metrics to communicate project life cycle. Customer Problem Tracking Administrator for both development and released products. Trained in Content Management/Single Sourcing methodologies, Usability, GUI design, and multimedia script writing/production techniques. Participated in several Information Engineering cross-location teams to define Best Practices and adopt/integrate audience and task analysis concepts within existing hardware/software product information libraries.
Authoring and graphics software used: MS Word, Project, Visio, Excel, Access, FrontPage, RoboHelp, Acrobat, PaintShop Pro, PhotoShop and SnagIt—in addition to AuthorIT and various HTML, SGML, XML editors and publishing systems. As part of the Software Development team, used RUP Rational product suite and ClearCase for Product Information/software deliverables.

Confidential,
1/1995 to 12/1996
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Technical Writer/Analyst.
Analyzed the scope and content of release requirements by working closely with development team members. Used Windows-based tools to produce end-user printed manuals, online books, and context-sensitive help systems for financial client-server applications. Designed all graphics and flowcharts required to document business processes and procedures. Performed product testing and procedure usability testing. Tracked and reported status using project management software. Problem-tracking administration for both development and released products. Authoring and graphics software used: MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Doc-to-Help, Unix-based online help tools, Visio, PaintShop Pro, and Lotus Notes.

Confidential,
8/1993 to 1/1995
Roseville, Minnesota
Technical Writer.
Wrote and produced application development end-user documentation for multiple delivery platforms. Assisted other writers with production, conversion, and graphics issues. Advised management and tested authoring, SGML, and browsing software. Delivered documentation on time by cooperating closely with team members, development, graphics, printing, and release coordination. Authoring and graphics software used: MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, proprietary SGML editing/production tools, Corel Draw.

Education

• BA. Majors in both Business Administration (Management) and Communications (Writing).
• Professional Development – Numerous classes in technical writing, software applications, graphic design/document layout, GUIdesign, usability, communications, Web content, gathering metrics, and project management PMP Bootcamp.