ABSTRACT
The decade of the 1980s was a significant watershed for technical publications management. Prior to the 1980s, publications activities—the basic functions of writing and editing, of graphics, and of printing and publication—were usually perceived as different processes and technologies and were frequently located in different units or departments. Technical writing, editing, printing, and publication were traditionally seen as separate functions requiring different units, staffs, and management. The scope and responsibility of publications activity are related directly to the purpose and readership of specific publications. For example, scientific, medical, or technical research articles and reports written to present findings to professional colleagues are almost always written by the technical professional. Publications managers also need to develop the habit of examining alternative organizational structures for the writing they manage or review. Writers and readers tend to view the same piece of writing very differently.
