Calling for Backup

by Anton Holland

Going into a dangerous situation alone is foolish, especially if you have the option of getting some assistance. (Just ask any TV cop.)

Writers, of course, seldom find themselves in life-and-death situations. However, the way in which a writing project is managed can often mean the difference between a project’s failure and success. For writers managing a project, obtaining backup consists of two issues: making sure someone can continue your work if something prevents you from doing so yourself; and knowing how to get help when you can’t keep your head above water.

My Shadow

Making sure that another person has in-depth knowledge of the project you are working on is a crucial factor in ensuring success. Such a person must understand the goals of the project, the audience you are writing for, client contacts, and the process by which you are researching your information.

Freelance writers who run one-person operations probably don’t have that option. However, many of the freelance writers and editors that I know have some kind of loose association with others in their situation, and perform certain activities for each other on a shared-services basis. In many cases, however, this cannot make up for having a true backup, someone who can step into the spotlight if you become removed from the picture.

Those who work in a team-oriented environment—a documentation group in a larger organization, or a full-fledged writing firm—can take advantage of the opportunity to use someone else as a backup for their projects. It should be part of the normal functioning of the unit to have backups for every function, so that a problem in any one area does not bring the project to a crashing halt.

Throw Me a Lifejacket

Everyone likes to have the feeling of accomplishing something on their own. But the truth is, that certain areas of a project may need the expertise of someone else. Similarly, you may occasionally find yourself in a situation where there is too much work to do in too little time.

When trying to produce written materials to short deadlines (and lets face it, schedules are always too short for some reason or another), it doesn’t make sense to waste a lot of time trying to learn something in an area in which someone else on your team may already have considerable expertise. It is much more efficient to turn that portion of the project over to the other team member to ensure that it is completed swiftly and in the best way possible.

If you have planned your project well, situations like having too much work to do in an allotted period of time can be detected early. However, even the best planning cannot always take into account every contingency. Situations may arise that result in your efforts being spread too thinly. In such cases, the right thing to do is reach out and get someone to help ease the load so that the whole project does not run into jeopardy. If you are the project manager, this means knowing what you can delegate to other members of the team, and then following through with it. If you are one of a team of writers on a project, make sure your manager knows that there may be a problem up ahead so that it can be dealt with before it becomes a disaster.

Put Your Ego Behind You

One of the most important things to remember is that there is no room for the guarding of turf, or worrying about the bruising of egos. The primary goal of your writing project is to satisfy the needs of your client in the most efficient way possible. Knowing when to get someone to help you achieve that goal is the mark of a true professional.

Those who cling to every portion of their work for fear of giving up any ground stand to lose everything in the process: their success on the project, their reputation with clients, their own sanity, and the image they strive to maintain among their colleagues.

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