One of the great challenges of user experience design - and especially of content production – is getting ideas from the heads of subject matter experts into the heads of content designers. Often the people with topical expertise are too busy to produce content or unable to communicate their expertise in a way that serves the intended audience, but their input is crucial to make sure we write knowledgeably and accurately about a subject. Enter pair writing. Inspired by the agile technique of pair programming, pair writing brings together subject matter experts and content designers right from the start to create clear, concise, accurate content that meets user needs. Presented at UX Scotland in Edinburgh on 10th June 2016.

1. how to collaborate closely on content
with subject matter experts
Pair writing:
UX Scotland 2016
Friday, 10th June – Our Dynamic Earth, Edinburgh

2. Richard Ingram
.com
Content Strategist and Information
Designer
@richardjingram

3. Inspired by the agile technique of
pair programming
What is
pair writing?

4. Designing content together with
another person from the same
source document.
What is
pair writing?

5. We need input from
subject matter experts
to ensure our content
is accurate and meets
user needs.

6. We need input from
subject matter experts
to ensure our content
is accurate and meets
user needs.

7. FINAL
Subject
matter
expert

8. Content
Designer
Subject
matter
expert

9. Pair writing
encourages
collaboration right
from the start of the
content design
process.

10. Pair writing
encourages
collaboration right
from the start of the
content design
process.

11. Pair writers put a positive form of
pressure on each other. They don’t
want to let their
Pair pressure

12. Pair writing encourages effective
negotiations between partners with
their own set of skills, experience,
opinions and assumptions
Pair negotiation

13. Receiving support and approval
from each
partners the confidence to do things
they might be afraid of doing alone.
Pair courage

14. Pair writing ensures that knowledge
is constantly being passed between
writing partners.
take turns being the teacher and the
student.
Pair knowledge

15. When we practice pair
writing, we won’t
remember who wrote
each line.
shared ownership of
the content.

16. Activity 1
What do you find difficult about
writing alone?

17. 2 minutes
Task: Briefly write down the
different challenges you face when
writing alone.
🕑

18. Time’s up!
Question: Which recurring themes
emerged?
🕓

19. Activity 2
Pair drawing

20. 2 minutes
Task: Pair draw a face. Decide
between you who will start.
🕑

21. Time’s up!
Stop drawing!
🕓

22. 2 minutes
Task: Pair draw another face.
Whoever started the first drawing
goes second.
🕑

23. 🕓Time’s up!
Question: What did you think of
pair drawing?

24. Activity 3
Quick-fire pair writing

25. •Say “I think…” to propose an
idea
•Ask “Do we agree…?” to confirm
agreement
•Say “We agree…” to discuss
progress towards goals
•Avoid saying “No, but…”; Instead
try saying, “Yes and…”

26. 2 minutes
Task: Choose a topic you and your
partner would like to write about.
🕑

28. 🕓Time’s up!
Task: Choose who between you will
assume the role of writer and editor.

29. 5 minutes
Task: Pair write!
🕑

30. 5 minutes
Task: Switch roles.
🕑

31. 5 minutes
Task: Switch roles back again.
🕑

32. 🕓Time’s up!
Question: What did you think of
pair writing?

33. Try to focus on content that
supports the completion of top
tasks
Getting started with
pair writing.

34. Try to work with your allies to
prove the technique works.
Getting started with
pair writing.

35. Try to practice in
environment, where failure is seen
as part of the journey.
Getting started with
pair writing.

36. Pair writing cuts the
hours subject matter
experts will spend
alone on unedited
drafts.

37. Pair writing sessions
ensure tangible
progress.

38. Pair writing
encourages subject
matter experts to fully
take part in user
research.

39. Returning to
Activity 1
What do you find difficult about
writing alone?

40. .com
@richardjingram
Thank you,
Edinburgh!