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FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

General
Manual Creation
Outsourcing Service
Writer/Director
Dispatch/Resident
Manual Creation
In-house Support Services
Video Manual
Video Content Creation
Manual evaluation, analysis,
and improvement proposal services
Github
Seminars
One-stop translation
service
DITA Implementation Support
Service
QIs it possible to handle a manual with specialized content?
A

At Human Science Co., Ltd., we have a wide range of production achievements, including product manuals and technical documents for the manufacturing industry, hardware/software manuals in the IT field, and manuals for communication-related technicians.
In the field of business manuals, we have a track record of creating manuals for the manufacturing industry, IT industry, retail and distribution industry, and insurance industry. We also handle the production of e-learning materials and training materials for internal education.

QCan we have a web conference for the meeting?
A

Yes, it is possible. Since 2020, we have been primarily conducting meetings with our clients through web conferences. We are also able to have in-person meetings, so please feel free to consult with us.

QIs it possible to dispatch writers and directors?
A

It is possible. We also handle many projects where we work on-site at the client's location.

QCan you handle not only paper and PDF manuals, but also web manuals, HTML-based help, and FAQs?
A

It is possible. Regarding application development, we can provide support for various tools such as InDesign for DTP software, as well as manual creation using Wiki, Confluence, GitHub, AsciiDoc, Markdown, and more. Please feel free to contact us for a consultation.

QIs it possible to handle a manual with specialized content?
A

At Human Science Co., Ltd., we have a wide range of production achievements, including product manuals and technical documents for the manufacturing industry, hardware/software manuals in the IT field, and manuals for communication-related technicians.
In the field of business manuals, we have production achievements in the manufacturing industry, IT industry, retail/distribution industry, and insurance industry. We also handle the production of e-learning materials and training materials for internal education.

Q Is it possible to visit your company if it is located outside of the Kanto region?
A

Yes. We travel to Nagoya, Osaka, Shikoku, and Kyushu for business meetings and consultations. During the project, we conduct meetings via telephone conferences and web conferencing systems.

QHow much does it cost and how long does it take?
A

The price may vary greatly depending on the field, difficulty, and volume. We offer a price range of 1.8 million yen or more for a 100-page manual, with a production period of 1.5 months or more. However, we will provide a detailed estimate after hearing more about your requirements.

QIs it possible to dispatch a writer?
A

It is possible. We also handle many projects where we work on-site at the client's location.

QIs it possible to create content even if we are already using CMS and manual creation software?
A

It is possible. We can assist you with creating manuals using popular applications such as Wiki, Confluence, GitHub, AsciiDoc, Markdown, and others. Please feel free to contact us for a consultation.

QWhat is the difference between a general dispatch writer and a technical writer?
A

The manual production directors and writers dispatched are employees of Human Science Co., Ltd. As specialists in manual production, they have been involved in numerous projects and have different skills and abilities. They do not impose any burden such as reviewing manuals created by education or dispatched staff.

QWhat will be the contract form?
A

Dispatch contract, subcontracting contract, both forms are possible.

QIs it possible to work as a dispatched employee who commutes 2-3 times a week instead of being stationed on a daily basis?
A

It is possible. We also propose on-site visits only when necessary, such as for information sharing.

QIs it possible for dispatch staff to handle not only the creation of Japanese manuals but also the coordination of translations?
A

It is possible. Human Science has successfully completed numerous projects involving the creation of an English and multilingual version after the Japanese version. We will introduce you to the most suitable staff with extensive experience.

QWhat is the hourly rate?
A

The skills and experience of our staff vary greatly. Please contact us for more information.

QIs it possible to have a team stationed instead of just one person?
A

It is possible. After conducting a detailed project hearing, we will consider the structure and provide a proposal.

QIs it possible to handle a manual with specialized content?
A

At Human Science Co., Ltd., we have a wide range of production achievements, including product manuals and technical documents for the manufacturing industry, hardware/software manuals in the IT field, and manuals for communication-related technicians.
In the field of business manual, we have production achievements in the manufacturing industry, IT industry, retail/distribution industry, and insurance industry. We also handle the production of e-learning materials and training materials for internal education.

Q Is it possible to visit your company if it is located outside of the Kanto region?
A

Yes. We travel to Nagoya, Osaka, Shikoku, and Kyushu for business meetings and consultations. During the project, we conduct meetings via telephone conferences and web conferencing systems.

QIs it possible to hold a seminar with a curriculum tailored to our company?
A

It is possible. We will plan according to your challenges. After hearing the points you want to strengthen, we will design seminar texts and lecture content.

QWhat kind of support do you provide specifically?
A

We will conduct an investigation of the current manuals and materials, identify the challenges in the production system, and submit an analysis report. After that, we will conduct seminars as needed, create manual production guidelines, and provide support for establishing an internal production system.

QHow much does it cost and how long does it take?
A

The cost will depend on the customer's challenges and proposed content. It is approximately 100,000 yen for a simple analysis report. We offer detailed analysis report submission and reporting meetings for 500,000 to 800,000 yen to provide examples of issue improvement.

QIs it possible to provide support for in-house manual creation and quality improvement on a full-time basis?
A
QWhat should I prepare?
A

Please let us see the available materials once.
Product manuals, specifications, technical documents, internal training materials, etc. are all acceptable.
If you do not have a large amount of materials, our consultants will conduct interviews to understand the content. Please feel free to contact us first.

QIs it possible to provide internal support and proposals even if we are already using CMS and manual creation software?
A

It is possible. We can assist you with creating manuals using popular applications such as Wiki, Confluence, GitHub, AsciiDoc, Markdown, and others. Please feel free to contact us for a consultation.

QIs it possible to create storyboards and edit videos for this specialized manual?
A

It is possible. At Human Science, we have created a wide variety of video manuals. For example, we have worked on FA product manuals in the manufacturing industry, maintenance manuals for construction equipment, manuals for railway construction, and more. We will provide video manuals that convey complex content in an easy-to-understand manner based on the materials provided by our customers and through interviews.

QWhat are the benefits of video manuals?
A

You can accurately convey skills and know-how that cannot be effectively communicated through text alone. By effectively utilizing demonstrations, videos, and audio unique to videos, you can convey information that is easier for users to understand.

QHow much does it cost?
A

The content, scope of work, and desired quality of the request can vary greatly from hundreds of thousands to millions.

QI have created a video manual by shooting with a smartphone or home video, but it is not working well. What are the benefits of requesting your company?
A

In particular, skills such as camera angles and camera work are important in operating machinery. Even in software operation videos, there is a significant difference in the finished product by accurately inserting procedures, points to note, captions, and expressions of emphasis. We will deliver content that allows you to experience the effectiveness of video manuals.

QI have an old version of the manual, but I feel like it's not enough. What should I do?
A

First, please let us evaluate the old version of the manual. Our writers, with their extensive experience and expertise, will assess the strengths and weaknesses of the old manual and provide a report. At the same time, we will also propose specific improvement measures from the perspective of "how to make it better." Please feel free to consult with us.

QNot only in Japanese, but we also have challenges with English manuals. Is it possible to handle this?
A

It is possible.

QI feel that there are challenges not only in the quality of the manual but also in the management and operation methods. Is it possible to make improvement proposals for the management and operation of the manual?
A

It is possible. We will assist in establishing internal consensus and operational rules based on understanding your internal structure and situation.

QCan you handle not only paper and PDF manuals, but also web manuals, HTML-based help, and evaluation and quality improvement of FAQs?
A

It is possible. We offer suggestions for improvement not only in configuration, design, usability, and content improvement, but also based on access conditions to web pages.

QWhat is the difference between CMS?
A

The biggest difference and advantage is cost. When introducing a CMS for manual creation and management, it usually costs more than 10 million yen. Creating manuals with GitHub and Markdown/Asciidoc can reduce the initial cost of the creation environment by utilizing open-source software. We estimate that a 50% reduction is possible.

QWhat editor do you use?
A

Atom (an open-source text editor developed by GitHub) and others.

QCan anyone use it easily?
A

GitHub is used for managing software development, making it compatible with those involved in system development, including software engineers. We recommend it for software engineers who are involved in both development and writing/editing of documents such as manuals.

QWhat is the difference between free seminars and paid seminars?
A

The free seminar will be a general seminar with themes based on common challenges we often hear from our customers in "manual creation". The paid seminar will arrange the curriculum for each customer and focus on specific challenges. It is also possible to conduct research and analysis on the target manual in advance and incorporate it into the curriculum.

QI have no experience in creating manuals and I don't understand technical things. Can I still participate?
A

Please join us even if you have no experience. Not only beginners in manual creation, but also many quality assurance and development staff members are participating. We have received feedback that participants have learned tips for organizing documents and have been well received.

QIs it possible to receive individual comments and guidance from the participants after the seminar?
A

Yes, it is possible. Depending on your request, we conduct a post-seminar evaluation of the participants' effectiveness and provide individual guidance to the participants along with evaluation sheets. We also offer a pre-seminar skill check service, not just after the seminar. By taking both the pre-seminar skill check and the post-seminar effectiveness measurement, you can expect synergistic effects.

QWe would like to hold it in our own meeting room. Although our company is located in Kansai, do you provide support for business trips to distant locations?
A

Yes, we can assist you. We can customize according to the target audience, number of people, budget, duration, and not just the venue.

QAfter attending the seminar, we would like to make specific improvements to our own manual. Is it possible to receive support for this?
A

Yes, it is possible. Please use it together with the optional service for manual evaluation. We will provide a report on manual evaluation, issues, improvement points, and improvement suggestions on a 5-point scale. At the seminar, we offer lectures and exercises using your manual as a case study. Please feel free to consult with us as we will propose according to your needs.

QPlease let us know the languages you support for translation.
A

The supported languages are as follows.

Japanese・English (US, UK, Australian)・Chinese (Simplified/Traditional)・Korean・Thai・Lao・Malay・Vietnamese・Burmese・Tagalog・Indonesian・Turkish・Hindi・Kazakh
Western European languages: French・Italian・German・Spanish・Iberian Portuguese・Dutch・Greek
Eastern European languages: Czech・Polish・Russian・Romanian・Bulgarian・Hungarian・Slovenian・Slovak・Estonian・Ukrainian・Lithuanian・Latvian・Belarusian・Georgian・Bosnian・Croatian・Serbian・Armenian・Macedonian

In addition to translation, we also provide screen capture, display and operation check services for various language OS environments.

QIs it possible to consistently request coordination from resident staff for tasks ranging from manual creation to translation?
A

It is possible. Our writers have extensive experience in translation projects. Please feel free to consult with us.

QWhat specific services do you provide?
A

We support our customers in implementing DITA through CMS introduction consulting, structured design, topic writing, translation, XML editing, translation, HTML, and implementation education and support.

QWhat are the benefits of making it compatible with DITA?
A

In the case of InDesign and Word, which were used for traditional manual creation, the cycle of document reuse was a disadvantage because each file was large. With DITA, the unit of information becomes smaller, allowing for a shorter cycle of reuse and enabling efficient and low-cost document creation and management.

For those who want to know more about manual creation and instruction manual creation

Tokyo: +81-3-5321-3111
Nagoya: +81-52-269-8016

Reception hours: 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM JST

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