Writing Your Way to Better Productivity as a Project Manager- Ep 044

In this episode, I talk with Pam Hurley, Ph.D., president and founder of Hurley Write, Inc.. about the critical role of effective writing, common writing pitfalls that impact performance, and strategies for project managers to better productivity and improve documentation efficiency. ***The video version of this episode can be viewed here.*** Engineering Quotes: Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Pam: What is a readability study? How do readability studies directly impact the success of engineering projects? What are the most common problems you encounter in readability studies? What strategies do you recommend for project managers to improve their writing skills without detracting from their core duties? How do you teach effective writing to engineers who are usually more focused on quantitative skills? How can project managers audit their communication skills to be more effective and solve project issues? How do you help engineering teams maintain high writing standards throughout their projects? What final advice do you have for anyone looking to improve their writing skills? Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About Writing Your Way to Better Productivity as a Project Manager: Many people think readability is just about grammar, but it's really about how readers understand information. Studies show that reading habits have changed, with more skimming and less thorough reading. Readability studies help engineers create clear documents, making it easier for team members to find and use important information quickly, which improves project success. The most common problems in readability studies are project managers rewriting documents themselves and not providing constructive feedback. This approach prevents team members from improving their writing skills and hinders overall project communication. Project managers should give constructive feedback instead of rewriting documents and view writing as problem-solving to help their teams improve. This approach enhances team skills without adding to the managers' workload. To teach effective writing to engineers, focus on presenting writing as a problem-solving skill that complements their quantitative expertise. Emphasize how clear communication enhances their ability to convey complex ideas and better productivity in their work. Project managers can audit their communication skills by gathering feedback from team members and stakeholders on clarity and effectiveness. This helps them improve how they convey project goals, address issues, and promote open dialogue for better productivity and successful project outcomes. Supporting engineering teams in maintaining high writing standards involves analyzing their documents for common issues and providing tailored workshops, resources, and ongoing coaching for continuous improvement in communication skills throughout projects. To improve writing skills, focus on planning your writing by spending more time outlining and organizing your thoughts before you start. Also, practice regularly to build proficiency and confidence, even with simple daily writing exercises, which will lead to steady improvement over time. More Details in This Episode… About Pam Hurley, Ph.D. Pam Hurley, Ph.D., leads Hurley Write Inc., a certified women-owned small business renowned for its tailored professional writing training. Her teaching approach, described as energetic and direct, has empowered countless clients to revolutionize their writing strategies. With a background in academia, Pam's introduction to readability studies during graduate school sparked a revelation, ultimately shaping her students' writing proficiency and confidence.