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Joan Travis
Staff Technical Writer at Salesforce
Professional Background
Joan Travis is a highly skilled Senior Technical Writer with a wealth of experience in the realm of enterprise-level products, including significant expertise in Identity and Access Management solutions. Her proficiency extends across several programming languages and frameworks, notably including REST, .NET, and C++, which positions her as a valuable asset in technical documentation and communication. Joan currently serves as a Staff Technical Writer at Salesforce.com, where she continues to make notable contributions in the field of technical writing and documentation.
Joan's previous roles include various senior technical writing positions at esteemed organizations such as Pelco by Schneider Electric, Volusion, and Borland, highlighting her extensive career trajectory across several well-respected firms. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated a strong commitment to quality and excellence in her work, contributing to the efficiency and clarity of technical documents that support developers and system administrators alike.
In addition to her primary responsibilities, Joan excels in utilizing various industry-standard tools essential for documentation and project management. Tools like oXygen XML editor, Madcap Flare, Adobe FrameMaker, and Visual Studio are part of her routine arsenal, enabling her to create high-quality documentation tailored to the needs of both technical and non-technical audiences.
Education and Achievements
Joan's educational foundation is rooted in a strong blend of technical writing and journalism. She studied for a Master of Science in Technical Writing at the prestigious Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), where she honed her skills in the nuances of technical communication. Prior to this, Joan earned a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the renowned S.I. Newhouse School of Communications at Syracuse University, equipping her with a robust skill set that marries journalistic integrity with technical accuracy.
One of Joan's most notable achievements includes receiving the Award of Excellence for her exceptional work on the Salesforce Secure Identity and Access Management Trail, where she authored ten out of the sixteen units and produced the entire trail. This accolade is a testament to her dedication to producing educational and informative content that enhances user understanding and engagement.
Joan continues to be an integral part of Salesforce’s mission, significantly contributing to the development and delivery of sophisticated technical documentation that aids organizations in navigating complex identity and access management challenges. Her role in educating users through effective documentation is both impactful and rewarding, as she remains dedicated to her work and to the company.
Joan is content with her career path at Salesforce, expressing enthusiasm for her current role and the innovative projects that come her way. Her deep commitment to her work and the team she collaborates with showcases her enduring passion for technical writing and communication.
Tools and Techniques
Joan is highly proficient in an array of tools that are pivotal in the technical writing domain. Her familiarity with oXygen XML editor and Madcap Flare underscores her capability to manage complex documentation projects efficiently. Joan also uses Adobe FrameMaker, which allows her to create professional layouts for her technical manuals, and Confluence, facilitating team collaboration on documentation projects.
Moreover, she has experience with source control systems like JIRA and Subversion, further enhancing her ability to contribute to documentation teams in Agile development environments. Joan is experienced in single-sourcing techniques, which enable her to create documentation that is flexible and reusable across different platforms and audiences, ensuring that the information remains relevant and easily accessible.
Her comprehensive toolkit also includes technologies like SnagIt for screen capturing and Doxygen for generating documentation directly from the source code, showcasing her ability to integrate technical details into easily understood content suitable for diverse audiences. Joan's understanding of programming languages such as Java, C++, C#, and .NET amplifies her effectiveness in technical writing, as she is adept at writing for developers and system and network administrators.
Conclusion
In summary, Joan Travis stands out as a distinguished Senior Technical Writer whose extensive experience, dedication to quality, and exceptional skill set have made significant contributions to the technical writing landscape. With an impressive career and a deep understanding of technical communication, she continues to elevate the standards of enterprise-level documentation at Salesforce. Her accolades, including the Award of Excellence for her contributions to Salesforce Secure Identity and Access Management, underscore her commitment to excellence and innovation in technical writing, setting a benchmark for her peers in the industry.
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