Monsters—from the Id!

Ramblings of a nerd.

RÉsumÉ

Alan Williams

Technical/Professional Writing & Editing

Seasoned professional utilizing combined experience in writing, editing, instructional design, and teaching/training in professional and academic environments to deliver timely audience-driven documentation and training.

Professional Experience

Omnicell, Chicago, IL, Jan 2020 – Present

Technical Writer II

Create and edit knowledge base content for pharmacy management solution troubleshooting and manage knowledge base platform. Develop and manage Smartsheet applications.

  • Created Smartsheet applications for the knowledge management team.
  • Evaluated and implemented a new knowledge base platform.
  • Transformed knowledge base content creation and management into a crowdsourcing model instead of traditional single-writer assignments.
  • Created knowledge base content creation guide.
  • Created custom batch processing in UltraEdit macros to prep files for importing into the new knowledge base platform and to clean up files after upgrades.

GE Healthcare, Chicago, IL, Feb 2018 – Oct 2019

Technical Writer

Wrote documentation for medical image viewing software.

  • Converted installation manual for field maintenance tool from Word to XML to reduce revision time and improve change tracking.
  • Used advanced text editors and DITA to mass replace outdated/inaccurate document markup, saving up to a week of standard editing at a time.
  • Wrote Excel VBA scripts, custom batch files, and Microsoft PowerShell scripts for file processing and email notifications, significantly reducing time to publication.

Modis, Loves Park, IL, May 2016 – Nov 2017

Technical Writer at Woodward, Inc. (contract)

Wrote documentation for aircraft part maintenance.

  • Edited and reformatted in-house servo valve repair manuals to standardize structure and style, enabling increased efficiency among maintenance technicians.
  • Wrote VBA script to create and email temporary revision notices for component maintenance manuals, cutting distribution time in half.
  • Utilized expert understanding of Word to create standardized document templates with built-in styles for other business units working on projects for other manufacturers.

Robert Half Technology, Hoffman Estates, IL, Feb 2016 – Apr 2016

Technical Writer at CDK Global (contract)

Wrote documentation for Used Lot Intelligence (ULI) web-based application.

  • Created full set of quick reference cards in under two weeks using Snagit.
  • Posted release notes to customer-facing and internal sites.

Symphony Corporation, Barrington, IL , Dec 2014 – Dec 2015

Technical Writer at GE Healthcare (contract)

Wrote documentation for medical image viewing software.

  • Designed and wrote Data Migration Manager manual in Word, then converted document to XML to reduce revision time and improve change tracking.
  • Created Excel file with VBA script to extract problem record data and create list of problem records for adding to release notes.
  • Copyedited full software user manual to standardize DITA tagging and terminology.
  • Revised technical writer process documentation to create single source for technical writing standards and procedures.

Copyediting Experience

Additional Relevant Experience

  • CD Production Supervisor, Tronitech, Indianapolis, IN
  • Webmaster, Cellar Masters of America/Wineshopper.com, Traverse City, MI
  • SGML/Arbortext Trainer at Caterpillar (contract), Axis, Inc., East Peoria, IL

Education

  • Master of Arts, English, Indiana University
  • Bachelor of Arts, English, Truman State University

Additional Professional Development

  • Member, Society for Technical Communication
  • English PhD coursework, Illinois State University, Normal, IL