Drafting and editing content is a collaborative effort between multiple groups. Follow the drafting and editing process to ensure the content you create is accurate and conveys messages to intended audiences effectively.
Drafting, Editing, and Proofreading Overview
The graphic below shows the relationship between drafting, editing, and proofreading content, as well as which role completes each step.
Roles identified within the drafting, editing, and proofreading process include:
- Subject Matter Expert (SME): One SME who will be the main approver and point of contact for the DCC team.
- Digital Content Communicators (DCC) Lead: One DCC member who will be the main approver and point of contact for the SME and their team. This person is typically the project's DCC lead and will also function as the content editor.
- Proofreader: A DCC team member who may or may not be the same person as the DCC lead. They are responsible for proofreading the final draft.
Drafting Digital Content
Drafting digital content means writing and fact-checking any content you wish to publish. Refer to the Digital Content Drafting Guidelines for additional details on writing a good draft.
- The SME is responsible for writing the original content. They may choose to do this alongside a team of other subject matter experts, but one person should be responsible for the first draft.
- Drafts are completed in Google Docs and shared with the DCC lead.
- SMEs may invite the DCC lead to a drafting session for awareness.
- If multiple people write the draft, the SME is responsible for incorporating their changes before the content edit.
Completing the Content Edit
A content edit is revising the structure, organization, and word choice of the content. Review Complete a Content Edit for additional details on editing content.
- The DCC lead is responsible for editing the content. The DCC lead may make edits using the Suggesting mode, comments, or making changes directly to the structure, depending on the content.
- DCC members follow writing standards to ensure consistency of language and structure, ensuring users experience clear, easy-to-follow content.
- Expect back-and-forth between the SME and DCC during this step as content and structure are solidified. The DCC lead communicates with the SME when their edits are done and works with them to ensure the revisions support the goals and direction of the content.
- SMEs and DCC leads are expected to monitor edits in a timely manner.
Proofreading the Content
Proofreading content means sentence-level quality checks for correct comma usage, grammar, spelling, and links. Proofreading occurs after the team completes the final draft and are ready to publish the content.
- The DCC lead or other DCC team member will proofread the content to ensure it meets writing standards.
- The SME will give the content one last read-through to make sure it is consistent and correct.