--- title: About (Technical Communicator Résumé of Robert Chapman) date: 2020-10-20T20:42:12Z modified: 2026-10-29T23:37:51Z permalink: "https://rrchapman.us/about-technical-communicator/" type: page status: publish excerpt: "" wpid: 8 featured_image: /wp-content/uploads/2023/04/h2g2-definition-technical-writing-1.jpg featured_image_alt: Technical writing is the art, craft, practice, or problem of translating that which is logical into that which is grammatical. Technical writing forms a bridge between the logical (the primarily binary concepts understood by computers, robots, lawyers) and the illogical (the haphazard, inconsistent concepts misunderstood carbon-based life forms, highly intelligent computers, lawyers) via the medium of the grammatical, the haphazardly logical system incomprehensible to both. The practice of technical writing presupposes that you, the illogical, actually want to learn about the logical subject, which of course is in all cases false. This basis in a false presupposition makes technical writing a pursuit typically favoured by those with arts degrees from obscure universities. parent: "" ancestors: [] children: - 733 - 158 author: Robert Chapman timestamp: 2026-10-29T23:37:51Z tags: [] --- Robert Chapman is a technical communicator living in Everett, Washington. This is about 30 miles north of Seattle and Redmond. While semi-retired, he is available for a variety of editing and writing work of limited length. --- > Bob’s dedication to clarity and consistency is as impressive as it is rare. From time to time a marketing editor tells me they have a question—point of view, really—from “this guy, Robert Chapman.” My standard answer is “Listen to what he says. He’s smart and relentless. And he’s probably right.” I’ll give the same advice to you. You’ll appreciate him as much as I do. > > —[Doug Howatt](https://www.linkedin.com/in/douglashowatt/), former Creative Director, Writing, at Hitachi Vantara (recommendation given on [Robert Chapman’s LinkedIn page](https://www.linkedin.com/in/rrchapman/)) --- > Robert jumped into a project mid-stream and was able to not only pick up the work and deliver immediate results, but added such value to the client, that it resulted in schedule recoveries and we were able to deliver on time. He is extremely personable, has deep knowledge of the subject matter and a supreme work ethic. I would definitely hire him again for another project. > > —[Stacy Heinemann](https://www.linkedin.com/in/stacyheinemann/), former Senior Project Manager at iSoftStone (recommendation given on [Robert Chapman’s LinkedIn page](https://www.linkedin.com/in/rrchapman/)) --- > I’ve had the opportunity to collaborate with Bob on a contract opportunity at Adelman, which he has exceeded all expectations at. Bob’s blend of technical skills, great communication, and his personable approach will add value to any team that’s fortunate enough to have him join. He brings a true commitment to the work, new ideas and team collaboration, and consistently delivers results. > > —[Alex Mann](https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexanderjonmann/), Senior Resource Manager at CDW (recommendation given on [Robert Chapman’s LinkedIn page](https://www.linkedin.com/in/rrchapman/)) --- > I was quite impressed Bob’s ability to complete all work assigned to him on time, if not before it was due. His writing was always thorough and comprehensive, and his fact checking is always accurate. His writing is clear, concise, and evocative. > > —James P. Simpson, when an instructional designer at Iron Mountain Off Site Date Protection ([read complete recommendation and see additional information](https://www.rrchapman.us/about-technical-communicator/recommendation-of-james-p-simpson/)) --- Download Robert Chapman’s “short” résumé (PDF and Microsoft Word) with mostly recent positions since 2011. To read about positions since 2000 (with a summary of earlier positions), continue to read his résumé on this website. [Download résumé in Microsoft Word format](https://rrchapman.us/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Chapman-Robert-Resume-20240430.docx) Work samples are on [Portfolio of Robert Chapman](https://www.rrchapman.us/about/portfolio-of-robert-chapman/). Additional samples and all recommendations are on [Robert Chapman’s LinkedIn page](https://www.linkedin.com/in/rrchapman/). [Curriculum vitae](https://github.com/rrchapman03/CurriculumVitae/blob/main/curriculumvitae.md) for Robert Chapman is on GitHub. Contact Bob at or [+1 (206) 963-5260](tel:12069635260). ![Sunset from Waikīkī.](https://i0.wp.com/www.rrchapman.us/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Sunset-from-Waikiki-1024x576.jpg?resize=525%2C295&ssl=1 "Sunset from Waikīkī.") Sunset from Waikīkī.## Summary I have successfully performed a variety of technical communication tasks for over 30 years: - Editor - Writer - Web-based training developer This has been in these industries: - Computer hardware and software - Aerospace - Cellular telephone My products have included the following: - Technical white papers - Training - Marketing materials and communications - On-line help - User interface text - Software documentation ## Work experience since 2000 ### [Information Group Northwest](https://www.ignw.io/) (CDW), Portland, Oregon **Dates:** October 2022 to January 2023 **Worksite:** Telecommute **Client:** [Ulta Beauty](https://www.ulta.com/), Network Services, Bolingbrook, Illinois **Job Title:** Technical Writer **Accomplishments:** Find, organize, cleanup, and store documentation for Network Services in Jira Confluence. This included creating the repository in Confluence, using HTML. **Tools:** Microsoft Office 360 (Word, PowerPoint). Microsoft SharePoint. Atlassian Confluence. HTML. ### [Hi-Tech Talents, LLC](https://www.hitechtalents.com/), Bellevue, Washington **Dates:** June 2022 to August 2022 **Worksite:** Telecommute **Client:** Microsoft Cloud Hardware and Infrastructure Engineering, NPI Infrastructure and Cloud Engineering, Redmond, Washington **Job Title:** Technical Writer **Accomplishments:** Collaborate with stakeholders and subject matter experts to define standard operating procedures for designing and building converged hardware platforms. **Tools:** Microsoft Office 360 (Word, PowerPoint), Microsoft Visio. ### [Information Group Northwest](https://www.ignw.io/) (CDW), Portland, Oregon **Dates:** November 2021 to March 2022 **Worksite:** Telecommute **Client:** [Adelman Travel Group](https://www.adelmantravel.com/), Information Services, Milwaukee, Wisconsin **Job Title:** Technical Writer **Accomplishments:** Prepare technical documentation for a computer system security audit. This included creating graphics, including network diagrams. Topics included security protocols, using software as a service, HTTP, and web APIs. **Tools:** Microsoft Office 360 (Word, PowerPoint), Microsoft Visio. Teamwork. ### [Hitachi Vantara](https://www.hitachivantara.com/en-us/home.html), Santa Clara, California **Dates:** December 2017 to December 2020 **Worksite:** Telecommute **Groups:** Converged Solutions Engineering and Technical Publications **Job Title:** Technical Editor (Senior Technical Writer) **Accomplishments:** Publish technical papers describing converged solution implementation with Hitachi hardware and various software companies. Translated engineering to English. Enforced branding standards. Reworked content to be suitable for the audience. Kept document catalog information in Microsoft SharePoint, producing reports on documents by analyzing in Microsoft Excel. Collaborative content editing with engineers and stakeholders located internationally. Coordinate publishing with Marketing Communications and other internal teams. Found creative solutions to successfully conquer problems, such as incomplete or unapproved branding. Solved issues with Word for colleagues. Participated in a committee determining technical writing style and usage. Coached engineers on how to create web-friendly content. **Tools:** Microsoft Office 360 (Word, Excell, PowerPoint), Microsoft Visio, Microsoft SharePoint, Atlassian Jira, Adobe FrameMaker 2019, Salesforce Slack, Oxygen XML Author 20.0 (DITA), SDL Tridion Docs (version control), TechSmith SnagIt. Internal style guides with guidance from Microsoft Manual of Style and AP Stylebook. ### [netPolarity](http://www.netpolarity.com/), Campbell, California **Dates:** April 2011 to December 2017 **Worksite:** Telecommute **Client:** [Hitachi Vantara](https://www.hitachivantara.com/), Solution and Cloud Engineering, Santa Clara, California **Job Title:** Technical Editor **Accomplishments:** Publish technical papers describing the implementation of solutions using products from Hitachi and partners. Translated engineering to English. Enforced branding standards. Reworked content to be suitable for the audience. Work remotely with writers located internationally. Prepare documents for localization. Coordinate with Marketing Communications and other internal teams. Created Microsoft Word template file (.dotx) to simplify moving content from Word to FrameMaker. Moved document catalog information from Microsoft Excel to Microsoft SharePoint so others would have access to this information without going through me. Exported cataloging information from SharePoint to Excel to analysis (find documents on certain subjects, products, publication dates). Awarded the “Wa” Spirit Award (for harmony, trust, respect) with an FTE employee for work eliminating a serious publishing backlog when I started. Given the Superhero award for contributions to internal social networking website. Solved issues using Word for colleagues. Coached engineers on how to create web-friendly content. **Tools:** Microsoft Office 2010, Adobe FrameMaker 10 and 11. TechSmith SnagIt. Internal style guides, also using Microsoft Manual of Style, AP Stylebook, and Yahoo Style Guide. ### [iSoftStone](https://www.isoftstoneinc.com/), Kirkland, Washington **Dates:** November 2010 to December 2010 **Worksite**: Telecommute as a 1099 contractor **Client**: AT&T Mobility, Redmond, Washington, office **Job Title:** Editor and Copywriter **Accomplishments:** Because of the quality of my work on the AT&T Mobility developer web site (see [Creative Circle](#CreativeCircle), below), called to edit and write copy for the AT&T 2011 Developer Summit. Praised for team communication, quick turnaround, attitude, and general product quality. Subjects included mobile development, web APIs, and web content development. **Tools:** Microsoft Office 2010. Microsoft Manual of Style for Technical Publications and AP Stylebook. ### [Volt Technical Resources](http://volt.com/), Kirkland, Washington **Dates:** July 2010 to October 2010 **Worksite:** Microsoft, Bellevue, Washington (not Redmond) **Client:** [Microsoft Dynamics](https://dynamics.microsoft.com/) CRM UE team **Job Title:** Technical Editor II **Accomplishments:** Edit user assistance material, special interest articles, and SDK articles for Microsoft Dynamics CRM version 5. Content included information for programmers creating an interface with Dynamics CRM (API information). Saved significant expense without cutting quality by quickly editing content mostly edited before I arrived for a localization handoff from 50,000 words to 33,000 words. Agile project management used when approaching delivery date. **Tools:** Author-it 5.4, DxStudio 2007, Microsoft Office 2010, Microsoft Product Studio 2.10. Microsoft Manual of Style for Technical Publications and internal style guides. ### [Creative Circle](http://creativecircle.com/), Seattle, Washington **Dates:** May 2010 to July 2010 **Worksite:** Telecommute **Client:** [iSoftStone in Kirkland, Washington](https://www.isoftstoneinc.com/) (for AT&T Mobility developer web site) **Job Title:** Technical Editor **Accomplishments:** Edit documentation for a mobile device developer audience for [AT&T Mobility](http://developer.att.com/). Content included programming language information for programmers (including JavaScript), API information, software as a service, HTTP, mobile development, and web content development.. Quickly rescued at-danger project timelines while meeting AT&T quality standards. **Tools:** Microsoft Office 2007. Microsoft Manual of Style for Technical Publications and internal style guides. ### [COMSYS, Inc.](http://comsys.com/index_flash.html), Bellevue, Washington **Dates:** April 2010 to May 2010 **Worksite:** Telecommute **Client:** Microsoft **Job Title:** Editor **Accomplishments:** Edit documents for Microsoft Services Offerings. Primary edit was for LCA (Legal) standards, although included all aspects of copyediting. Material included sales and technical material in various formats (documents, spreadsheets, presentations). While COMSYS was a vendor to Microsoft, I was not a “v-dash” contractor (vendor). **Tools:** Microsoft Office 2007. Microsoft Manual of Style for Technical Publications and internal style guides. ### [COMSYS, Inc.](http://comsys.com/index_flash.html), Bellevue, Washington **Dates:** February 2010 to March 2010 **Worksite:** Telecommute **Client:** Microsoft **Job Title:** Editor **Accomplishments:** Edited documents as part of a team for Microsoft Services Offerings. Same as April 2010 to May 2010. **Tools:** Microsoft Office 2007. Microsoft Manual of Style for Technical Publications and internal style guides. ### [Aquent](http://aquent.us/), Seattle, Washington **Date:** January 2010 **Worksite:** Microsoft, Redmond, Washington **Client:** [Microsoft Windows Server](https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server) UA Team **Job Title:** Technical Editor **Accomplishments:** Create system help for a tool used by an IT audience. Copyedit documentation written by subject matter experts, with some content writing. Content included programming and hardware information. **Tools:** DxStudio 2007, Microsoft Word 2010, and Microsoft SharePoint. Microsoft Manual of Style for Technical Publications and internal style guides. ### [Robert Half Technology](http://www.roberthalftechnology.com/), Seattle, Washington **Dates:** November 2008 to December 2008 **Worksite:** Casey Family Programs, Seattle, Washington **Client:** Casey Family Programs **Job Title:** Technical Writer **Accomplishments:** Created and documented system tests used for in-house and commercial applications to verify operations after applying system patches. Created templates to create tests, over objections of the developers who thought it was unnecessary. Performed tests using command line and GUI. Found problems the developers had missed, including an error in production (not development). **Tools:** Microsoft Office 2007, TechSmith SnagIt, and Microsoft SharePoint. Based style on Microsoft Manual of Style for Technical Publications. ### [COMSYS, Inc.](http://comsys.com/index_flash.html), Bellevue, Washington **Dates:** August 2008 to September 2008 **Worksite:** Washington Mutual Tower, Seattle, Washington **Client:** Washington Mutual **Job Title:** Technical Writer **Accomplishments:** Write content for a revised project management life cycle. Create macros for Word templates and customizations for Excel templates. **Tools:** Microsoft Office, Microsoft Project, TechSmith SnagIt, and Microsoft SharePoint. AP Stylebook and Microsoft Manual of Style for Technical Publications. ### [AT&T Mobility (Cingular Wireless, LLC)](http://att.com/), Atlanta, Georgia **Dates:** January 2008 to July 2008 **Worksite:** Bothell, Washington **Group:** Business customer accounts **Job Title:** Senior Copy Writer (Senior Marketing Manager in HR system) **Accomplishments:** Create user interface text for on-line applications. Write copy for web demonstrations, including marketing communications. Produced Adobe Flash presentations using Adobe Captivate. Edit the work of others. **Tools:** Adobe Captivate, Adobe Photoshop, Microsoft SharePoint, and Microsoft Office. Microsoft Manual of Style for Technical Publications, AP Stylebook, and internal style and use guidelines. ### [MediaPro](http://mediapro.com/), Bothell, Washington **Dates:** February 2007 to December 2007 **Worksite:** Verizon Wireless, Bellevue, Washington **Client:** Verizon Wireless Training **Job Title:** Instructional Designer **Accomplishments:** Design and produce web-based training, primarily for in-store staff. Trained to work as an administrator in both learning content management systems (CMS) in use at the time at Verizon Wireless. Content developed from subject matter expert interviews and review of existing documentation. Courses created to follow WCAG standards. **Tools:** Adobe Captivate, Adobe Flash, Adobe Dreamweaver CS3, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator CS3, Adobe RoboHelp, Oracle PeopleSoft, and Microsoft Office products. Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). Microsoft Manual of Style for Technical Publications and internal style guides. ### [Intrepid Learning Solutions](http://www.intrepidls.com/), Seattle, Washington **Dates:** March 2005 to January 2007 **Worksite:** Intrepid Learning Solutions, Seattle, Washington, and Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Everett, Washington **Job Title:** Technical Writer **Accomplishments:** Create web-based training, including text, storyboards, graphics, HTML, and cascading style sheets (CSS) for use in courses. While hired initially to only write the course modules, they soon discovered I could produce courses from beginning to end. Courses were primarily on how to use internal software product implementations (such as [SLATE](https://www.mathworks.com/products/connections/product_detail/slate.html) \[System Level Automation Tools for Engineers\] at Boeing), but work included other topics (such as occupational health and safety). Content developed by interviewing subject matter experts and reviewing documentation. Courses created to comply with WCAG web accessibility requirements, as a customer requirement (alt text, text size, title text on controls, and so forth.) **Tools:** Adobe Captivate, Adobe Flash, Adobe Dreamweaver, Adobe Fireworks, Adobe RoboHelp, and Microsoft Office products. Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). Various Boeing style manuals, Gregg manual (Boeing), and the Microsoft Manual of Style for Technical Publications. ### [Physicians Micro Systems Incorporated](http://www.mckesson.com/en_us/McKesson.com/For%2BHealthcare%2BProviders/Physician%2BPractices/For%2BIndependent%2BPractices/Practice%2BPartner.html), Seattle, Washington **Dates:** October 2004 to March 2005 **Worksite:** Seattle, Washington **Job Title:** Technical Writer (temporary) **Accomplishments:** Produce user manuals and on-line help for an electronic medical records system. **Tools:** Adobe RoboHelp and Microsoft Office. Microsoft Manual of Style for Technical Publications. ### [Iron Mountain Incorporated](http://www.ironmountain.com/), Boston, Massachusetts **Dates:** March 2000 to May 2004 **Worksite:** Iron Mountain Off Site Data Protection, Renton, Washington **Group:** Training and software development **Job Title:** Documentation Specialist (final title) **Accomplishments:** Create manuals and help for Secure Base, [SecureSync](https://www.ironmountain.com/services/offsite-tape-vaulting), and an internal time management system, using developer documentation (with code samples) and subject matter experts. Perform quality assurance work, including SQL tests using a command line interface (CLI) written by others but modified by me for the test. Repurpose existing documentation and prepared new material for call center use. Provide content for instructional designers. Worked with the team designing the user interface to make it easier for me to document. **Tools:** Adobe RoboHelp, Adobe Dreamweaver, Adobe Fireworks, and Microsoft Office products and Microsoft Project. Information Mapping techniques, Microsoft Manual of Style for Technical Publications. Limited work with Adobe FrameMaker. ### In the 1990s During the 1990s, I worked for a variety of companies as a contractor or employee, including these: - IBM Global Services (contractor) - Washington Mutual (contractor, continued with IBM Global services after outsourcing) - Kenworth Trucks (contractor) - Boeing Commercial Airplanes (multiple contract roles) ![Moonrise over Diamond Head (Lē‘ahi)](https://i0.wp.com/www.rrchapman.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Moonrise-over-Diamond-Head-Le%E2%80%98ahi-1024x576.jpg?resize=525%2C295&ssl=1 "Moonrise over Diamond Head (Lē‘ahi) ")Moonrise over Diamond Head (Lē‘ahi)## Education and training ### University #### [University of Sioux Falls, Sioux Falls, South Dakota](http://www.usiouxfalls.edu/) **No degree.** Graduate and undergraduate courses related to secondary education, including special education reading specialist. #### [Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla, Missouri](http://mst.edu/) **Bachelor of Arts (History).** Coursework includes 75% of a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering degree, including 25 semester hours in Mathematics. Lacking an Astronomy course to have a minor in Physics. ### Training #### Iron Mountain, Inc., Training, Boston, Massachusetts Information Mapping Seminar (class) on how to implement their writing and formatting techniques. #### Seminars [WritersUA (WinWriters), Seattle, Washington](http://writersua.com/) Attended three WritersUA conferences on how to create user assistance documentation. ![Hawaiian Hall complex of the Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum in Honolulu](https://i0.wp.com/www.rrchapman.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Hawaiian-Hall-complex-of-the-Bernice-Pauahi-Bishop-Museum-in-Honolulu-1024x576.jpg?resize=525%2C295&ssl=1 "Hawaiian Hall complex of the Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum in Honolulu") Hawaiian Hall complex of the Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum in Honolulu (original home of the Kamehameha Schools)## Contact information ### Email ### US Mail 4404 Terrace Drive, Unit 6, Everett, WA 98203 ### Telephone [+1 (206) 963-5260](tel:12069635260) ## Trademark Information The names of the companies where I have worked are trademarks or registered trademarks of the respective owners. ### Adobe Adobe, Acrobat, Captivate, FrameMaker, RoboHelp, and WebHelp are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Adobe Systems Incorporated in the United States and/or other countries. ### Atlassian Atlassian, Confluence, and Jira are trademarks of Atlassian Pty Ltd. ### Author-it Author-it is a registered trademark of Author-it Software Corporation. ### Information Mapping Information Mapping is the property of Information Mapping International NV. ### Microsoft Microsoft, Dynamics, FrontPage, Office, Publisher, Visio, SharePoint, Windows, and Windows Server are trademarks of the Microsoft Corporation in the United States, other countries, or both. ### Oracle Oracle is a registered trademark of Oracle Corporation and/or its affiliates. ### SyncRO Soft SR Oxygen is a trademark or registered trademark of SyncRO Soft SR. ### SDL Limited SDL and Tridion are trademarks or registered trademarks of SDL Limited. ### TechSmith SnagIt is a registered trademark of TechSmith Corporation. ![Props from the Kent Stowell Nutcraker](https://i0.wp.com/www.rrchapman.us/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Props-from-the-Kent-Stowell-Nutcraker-1024x576.jpg?resize=525%2C295&ssl=1 "Props from the Kent Stowell Nutcraker") Props from the Kent Stowell Nutcraker> In our culture–I exaggerate only slightly–those who know cannot write, and those who can write do not know. > > —Norman Podhoretz, “[In Defense of Editing](https://theobjectivestandard.com/2017/09/in-defense-of-editing/),” October 1965 issue of _Harper’s Magazine_