Editing for quality: how we're doing it

Editing for quality (EFQ) is a process used by writers and editors at IBM's Santa Teresa Software Development laboratory to ensure information deliverables will meet customers' requirements and expectations. This editing process includes an overall appraisal of the information unit as a numeric score, or "EFQ index". An EFQ edit consists of a thorough technical edit providing detailed comments to the writer, a written report summarizing the strengths and weaknesses of the information unit in each of the eight categories, and the EFQ index, which is a relative score on a scale of 1 to 100. This paper describes the EFQ process, how it improves the quality of information, and how it is expected to predict customer satisfaction. It also discusses the benefits to editors and writers, summarizing interviews conducted with those who have used the EFQ process.