View Full Version : Amendments to the BOH
Edward Haynes
19-12-2003, 20:23
All
Over the next two weeks I will be drafting amendments, that have been suggested, to the Branch Officers Handbook (BOH). Drafts will go to the Section owners for approval in early Jan 04 and publication thereafter.
Why this post? Simple, if you think something should be changed / updated / deleted etc then send me an e-mail. I don?t guarantee everything suggested will happen, but it will be considered.
Edward Haynes
I would like to know what is currently scheduled to be drafted
Dave
Edward Haynes
21-12-2003, 09:19
Dave
Are you offering to proof read?
Edward
I would like to know what is currently scheduled to be drafted
Dave
Dave
Are you offering to proof read?
Edward
Edward if you need proof readers I would be willing to help
Private email is diving 'at' melbourne 'dot' me 'dot' uk
Pete
> Edward if you need proof readers I would be willing to help
As would I.
Email address is as per my forum profile, or alternatively vic AT yellowside DOT org DOT uk.
Vic.
Nigel Hewitt
21-12-2003, 18:59
> Edward if you need proof readers I would be willing to help
As would I.
I'm not offering but with the words being dragged over more and more with theological rigour checking to see that it says exactly what you mean without assuming the reader knows what you mean is essential.
Good luck with what must be an arduous exercise.
nigelH
john kendall
21-12-2003, 19:03
> Edward if you need proof readers I would be willing to help
As would I.
I too would be willing to help.
John
Dave
Are you offering to proof read?
Yup, as long as you can get it to me
Dave
Philip Smith
22-12-2003, 19:45
Edward if you need proof readers I would be willing to help
Since I have been bold enough to suggest a couple of alterations already, I should also offer to check some more.
Philip
i(dot)p(dot)smith(at)firenet(dot)uk(dot)net
Edward Haynes
23-02-2004, 19:20
All
These things end up taking longer than planned.
Amendments to the BOH have now been posted on the Web.
The PDF file has also been updated.
A big thanks to the proofreaders I couldn't have done it without you.
Edward Haynes
BOH-IE Project manager
Edward
Is there a list of the Amendments available?
Paul Baskerville
All
These things end up taking longer than planned.
Amendments to the BOH have now been posted on the Web.
The PDF file has also been updated.
A big thanks to the proofreaders I couldn't have done it without you.
Edward Haynes
BOH-IE Project manager
Edward Haynes
24-02-2004, 19:03
Paul
No, blame me. I felt members would refer to the live pages for guidance and not a locally, out-dated, copy which would require additional effort to maintain current.
If you want to be one of the proofreaders during the next amendment round, you?re more than welcome.
Edward Haynes
BOH-IE Project Manager
Edward
Is there a list of the Amendments available?
Paul Baskerville
>> Is there a list of the Amendments available?
>
> No, blame me.
If you want me to collate such a list, send the mails over...
Vic.
Edward Haynes
26-02-2004, 05:59
Vic
I appreciate the offer, but if people are using the live version, Why do we need to publish an amendment list?
Edward
>> Is there a list of the Amendments available?
>
> No, blame me.
If you want me to collate such a list, send the mails over...
Vic.
Mike Halligan
26-02-2004, 08:44
I appreciate the offer, but if people are using the live version, Why do we need to publish an amendment list?
Perhaps because ....
1) (Other) people aren't able to use a live version, so use hard copy.
2) (Other) people elect to use hard copy, perhaps because they find it easier, more useful and/or more portable.
3) (Other) people are using a live version but have perused it in full already and want to know only what has changed (i.e. to update their knowledge).
4) An amendement list provides an audit trail.
5) An amendment list focuses on change, so busy people can deal selectively with it, identifying trends and/or inconsistencies.
6) When all the wheels fall off, we are able to reconstruct from first principles if we have fixed points and amendment summaries.
7) It is what people like me (of a civil or military service background) expected when the proposal was first made.
8) It satisfies a perceived need.
9) It satisfies expectations of good customer service.
Perm any 3 from 9.
Mike ;-)
Mike - you can not count :-)
4) An amendment list focuses on change, so busy people can deal selectively with it, identifying trends and/or inconsistencies.
I think that is the important one, If you have a "what's new" section people will often have a quick look at that then refer to the sections that have changed but if you have to wade through the whole lot then you only do that when you have time; which for me *might* be some time this year
Mike Halligan
26-02-2004, 12:43
Mike - you can not count :-)
Thanks, Pete, corrected!
I can count. Problem is, I can't remember to re-format when I add an extra line.
(Mental note: Stop posting from work, when someone might interrupt)
Mike ;-)
Edward Haynes
26-02-2004, 21:57
Make
Irrespective of my comments below I will but the question to HQ (the document owner) and follow their instructions. After all I am only one person and shouldn't dictate my personal views.
Edward Haynes
BOH IE Project Manager
:=I appreciate the offer, but if people are using the live version, Why do we need to publish an amendment list?
:=
Perhaps because ....
1) (Other) people aren't able to use a live version, so use hard copy.
So why not just print off the new PDF rather than an amendment list and update the old hard copy.
2) (Other) people elect to use hard copy, perhaps because they find it easier, more useful and/or more portable.
Same as 1.
3) (Other) people are using a live version but have perused it in full already and want to know only what has changed (i.e. to update their knowledge).
If they are using the live version then they already have the latest info, why tell them what was.
4) An amendement list provides an audit trail.
Agree, but it doesn't have to be in the Public Domain - I am an auditor.
5) An amendment list focuses on change, so busy people can deal selectively with it, identifying trends and/or inconsistencies.
From my experience as an auditor, only auditors look at amendment lists, users just read the text. Trends? Inconsistencies - I hope we've removed them, but if you find some they can be corrected at the next update.
6) When all the wheels fall off, we are able to reconstruct from first principles if we have fixed points and amendment summaries.
As more and more guidance is found on other parts of the Web the guidance can be updated without any alteration to the BOH, so this can happen whether there is an amendment list of not.
7) It is what people like me (of a civil or military service background) expected when the proposal was first made.
You will find many MoD Web based documents now no longer have an amendment list, just a date issued and printed versions classified an uncontrolled. I work in that environment.
8) It satisfies a perceived need.
I acknowledge some people would like it, but is it really required.
9) It satisfies expectations of good customer service.
In the Internet age I disagree.
Perm any 3 from 9.
Mike ;-)
Edward
We now have 1x105 page document (BOH Oct 2003) & 1x106 page document (BOH Jan 2004).
I & every other Diving Officer/Committee will now have to read both copies side by side, line by line & word for word, to ensure that we can find any amendments, additions or deletions & therefore update our Branch procedures & policies appropriately.
We must achieve this to ensure that ?In this world of increasing litigation?. We do not leave ourselves & our Branches open to such litigation by failing to follow the Rules!
It can be argued, by some? That the BOH is not a rulebook.
In reality the Branch Officers Handbook along with Safe Diving Practises & the Instructor Manual are de facto a trilogy of rule books. Which ?In this world of increasing litigation? any branch officer would be remiss & stupid to ignore.
I realise all the hard work that that has gone into this volume but would still appreciate a list of amendments, which could be in as simple a form as:
3.3.27 Amendment
24.6.2 Deletion
64.2.4b Addition
This would assist us & every other Branch in the country to ensure that we are running our Branches in accordance with the ?Rules?!
Paul B
Diving Officer
Dolphin Sub Aqua Club (Cirencester)
BSAC 1145
Make
Irrespective of my comments below I will but the question to HQ (the document owner) and follow their instructions. After all I am only one person and shouldn't dictate my personal views.
Edward Haynes
BOH IE Project Manager
:=:=I appreciate the offer, but if people are using the live version, Why do we need to publish an amendment list?
:=:=
:=
:=Perhaps because ....
:=
:=1) (Other) people aren't able to use a live version, so use hard copy.
So why not just print off the new PDF rather than an amendment list and update the old hard copy.
:=
:=2) (Other) people elect to use hard copy, perhaps because they find it easier, more useful and/or more portable.
Same as 1.
:=
:=3) (Other) people are using a live version but have perused it in full already and want to know only what has changed (i.e. to update their knowledge).
If they are using the live version then they already have the latest info, why tell them what was.
:=
:=4) An amendement list provides an audit trail.
Agree, but it doesn't have to be in the Public Domain - I am an auditor.
:=
:=5) An amendment list focuses on change, so busy people can deal selectively with it, identifying trends and/or inconsistencies.
From my experience as an auditor, only auditors look at amendment lists, users just read the text. Trends? Inconsistencies - I hope we've removed them, but if you find some they can be corrected at the next update.
:=
:=6) When all the wheels fall off, we are able to reconstruct from first principles if we have fixed points and amendment summaries.
As more and more guidance is found on other parts of the Web the guidance can be updated without any alteration to the BOH, so this can happen whether there is an amendment list of not.
:=
:=7) It is what people like me (of a civil or military service background) expected when the proposal was first made.
You will find many MoD Web based documents now no longer have an amendment list, just a date issued and printed versions classified an uncontrolled. I work in that environment.
:=
:=8) It satisfies a perceived need.
I acknowledge some people would like it, but is it really required.
:=
:=9) It satisfies expectations of good customer service.
In the Internet age I disagree.
:=
:=Perm any 3 from 9.
:=
:=Mike ;-)
:=
:=1) (Other) people aren't able to use a live version, so use hard copy.
So why not just print off the new PDF rather than an amendment list and update the old hard copy.
I guess you don't pay for your own paper and ink cartridges then, and that's ignoring the environmental issues.
:=5) An amendment list focuses on change, so busy people can deal selectively with it, identifying trends and/or inconsistencies.
From my experience as an auditor, only auditors look at amendment lists, users just read the text. Trends? Inconsistencies - I hope we've removed them, but if you find some they can be corrected at the next update.
From my experience as a software engineer and web designer people are most insterest in what's new, hence most dynamic web sites having a what's new page.
:=8) It satisfies a perceived need.
I acknowledge some people would like it, but is it really required.
Yes, because I would not have a clue what had changed and therefore what needs amending in my branches procedures if I had not been involved in the proof reading
Cheers
Pete
OK so i read version 1
I understand and take in the Important points and use in 'everyday' use (without looking in the BOH everytime)
so I know most of the important points and occasionally have to check them in the BOH
then version 2 comes along with changes - know I don't know what these changes are - so I now I can't be sure if what i understood from version 1 is still valid
if a list of ammendments was avaliable I would then just be able to read the relavent points to update my knowledge on the matter
Ian Carruthers
Chairman
Dolphin SAC (Cirencester)
Edward Haynes
28-02-2004, 11:37
All
An entry on the ?New on the Site? page has been made in the past when BSAC has updated on-line documents (i.e. Web pages) The BOH-IE is an on-line document and the same principle applies. HQ is not keen on setting a precedent by producing an amendment list each time an on-line document is updated.
What I did fail to do was ask the Webmaster to add an entry on the ?New on the Site? page; to let members them know there was a new edition of the BOH-IE.
Edward Haynes
BOH-IE Project Manger
iainmsmith
28-02-2004, 12:40
:=1) (Other) people aren't able to use a live version, so use
:= hard copy.
So why not just print off the new PDF rather than an
amendment list and update the old hard copy.
1. Because it's very expensive to print off a 100+ page document
2. Because that doesn't help identify what has changed.
:=3) (Other) people are using a live version but have perused it in full already and want to know only what has changed (i.e. to update their knowledge).
If they are using the live version then they already have the latest info, why tell them what was.
The "live" version should be kept up to date. The "Amendments" need only highlight to them what has changed. It's nonsensical (IMO) to expect people to reread an entire document in detail to identify what has changed.
:=5) An amendment list focuses on change, so busy people can deal selectively with it, identifying trends and/or inconsistencies.
From my experience as an auditor, only auditors look at amendment lists, users just read the text.
Disagree. As a user of MOD documents for some years, the first thing I do on receiving an update for a document is to read through the new pages. I then replace the old pages with the new, confirming what has changed.
:=7) It is what people like me (of a civil or military service background) expected when the proposal was first made.
You will find many MoD Web based documents now no longer have an amendment list, just a date issued and printed versions classified an uncontrolled. I work in that environment.
As do I. And I hope you're not trying to hold the MOD up as an example of efficiency and effective communication! :-)
:=8) It satisfies a perceived need.
I acknowledge some people would like it, but is it really required.
YES!
:=9) It satisfies expectations of good customer service.
In the Internet age I disagree.
Good customer service enables the rapid identification of changes. An Amendment List achieves this. Merely reissuing the updated document does not.
Regards,
Iain
?HQ is not keen on setting a precedent by producing an amendment list?.
That?s a great pity!
A centrally produced amendment list would have helped every branch in the country to quickly & easily discover what the amendments are!
This would then allow us to update the relevant practises & procedures, within our Branches, assist in ensuring best practise & helping us to avoid potential problems in ?In this world of increasing litigation?.
So to the point - let?s do it ourselves!
If you have found an amendment please post it in a nice simple format, such as;
3.3.27 Amendment
24.6.2 Deletion
64.2.4b Addition
And we will create our own list!
Thanks in anticipation
Paul B
Diving Officer
Dolphin Sub Aqua Club (Cirencester)
BSAC 1145
All
An entry on the ?New on the Site? page has been made in the past when BSAC has updated on-line documents (i.e. Web pages) The BOH-IE is an on-line document and the same principle applies. HQ is not keen on setting a precedent by producing an amendment list each time an on-line document is updated.
What I did fail to do was ask the Webmaster to add an entry on the ?New on the Site? page; to let members them know there was a new edition of the BOH-IE.
Edward Haynes
BOH-IE Project Manger
ric morte
28-02-2004, 22:43
What software is the BOH authored in? If it is something like MS Word then there is already the facility to compare two versions and highlight the changes.
Fot the future maybe we need to establish a protocol for issuing and documenting amendments across all similar BSAC publications, eg: SDPs.
Philip Smith
29-02-2004, 11:09
An entry on the ?New on the Site? page has been made in the past when BSAC has updated on-line documents (i.e. Web pages) The BOH-IE is an on-line document and the same principle applies.
Ed,
The BOH is a rather special case, don't you think!
HQ is not keen on setting a precedent by producing an amendment list each time an on-line document is updated.
A decision for Council perhaps?
Phil.
Mike Halligan
29-02-2004, 14:12
HQ is not keen on setting a precedent by producing an amendment list each time an on-line document is updated.
But the Instructor Manual, a physical document maintained by web-publishing, updated following a barely justified outcry from its readers over proof reading, has not established precisely this precedent?
Horse? Pig? Sheep?
Thanks to all who have advised how to compare two documents in word, this has now been done!
The results:
At first look, as far as I can tell? Nothing has changed! It is all Typos, spelling & grammer corrections with snome slight renaming of headers.
I will have a thorough check through & post any important changes here.
If we had been told this straight away, all the preceding conversations could have been avoided & we would all have been fully informed, which is all wanted in the first place!
Paul B
Diving Officer
Dolphin Sub Aqua Club (Cirencester)
BSAC 1145
?HQ is not keen on setting a precedent by producing an amendment list?.
That?s a great pity!
A centrally produced amendment list would have helped every branch in the country to quickly & easily discover what the amendments are!
This would then allow us to update the relevant practises & procedures, within our Branches, assist in ensuring best practise & helping us to avoid potential problems in ?In this world of increasing litigation?.
So to the point - let?s do it ourselves!
If you have found an amendment please post it in a nice simple format, such as;
3.3.27 Amendment
24.6.2 Deletion
64.2.4b Addition
And we will create our own list!
Thanks in anticipation
Paul B
Diving Officer
Dolphin Sub Aqua Club (Cirencester)
BSAC 1145
:=All
:=
:=An entry on the ?New on the Site? page has been made in the past when BSAC has updated on-line documents (i.e. Web pages) The BOH-IE is an on-line document and the same principle applies. HQ is not keen on setting a precedent by producing an amendment list each time an on-line document is updated.
:=
:=What I did fail to do was ask the Webmaster to add an entry on the ?New on the Site? page; to let members them know there was a new edition of the BOH-IE.
:=
:=Edward Haynes
:=BOH-IE Project Manger
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