INTRODUCTION: Building a standard editing process should include developing tools that maximize efficiency and consistency and are dynamic enough to accommodate a variety of needs and high expectations for quality. Recommendation: Identify an existing style guide and modify to meet company-specific needs Benefits: Provides support for editorial decisions, increases editorial efficiency, promotes consistency within and among documents and across editors REQUEST FORM: Recommendation: Develop a request form that estimates editorial time required based on number of pages and type of deliverable; establish calculations using the literature and experience with the organization’s documents Benefits: Quantifies and communicates standard editing times for work capacity planning and project management TEMPLATES: Recommendation: Develop deliverable-specific templates using Word styles and company branding Benefits: Increases formatting efficiency, results in a polished and company-distinct final product TECHNOLOGY: Recommendation: Use macros, wildcards, and proofreading software for common editorial tasks Benefits: Maximizes time available for comprehensive content review CHECKLISTS: Recommendation: Develop editorial checklists for each edit level Benefits: Clarifies writers’ and editors’ expectations, improves editorial accuracy CONCLUSIONS: Maintaining a professional editorial service for a complex organization requires a variety of tools to maximize efficiency and review quality.
STYLE GUIDE:
