The user assistance skill set

We were having a clearout when I found a handout from a presentation made by Joe Welinske on the user assistance skill set. Although this presentation must have been made four or five years ago, it still rings true today.

According to Joe's survey, the skill set of for user assistance comprises:

• Writing
• Editing
• Indexing
• Quality assurance and testing
• Graphics development
• Information design
• Usability testing
• Task analysis
• Localization
• Coding Help
• Coding Web content
• Programming

The most valued user assistance skills were:

Writing procedures (92%)
Experience with tools (85%)
Writing reference information (79%)
Interviewing (74%)
Coding HTML (72%)

As Joe put it, you get paid for the writing.