The same goes with comments on a PDF document. Instead of sending a scan of our handwritten comments, work in the Word version, amend the document yourself and use the "track changes" function. The track changes function is a wonderful tool in Word as it allows you to (i) see what was changed, (ii) accept changes or (iii) reject changes and go back to the original version. If you make handwritten comments, people have to:
a) scroll through the document to find the provision to be amended;
b) then they need to decipher your handwriting (which can be a painful exercise at times…);
c) and finally they need to type the amendments.
As you can see, working this process takes three steps (i.e. steps a+b+c), instead of the one step it takes someone to type their comments themselves (i.e. step c).
I understand that you may be busy sometimes and that in a junior/senior relationship that is often how it is done. It the context of junior/senior relationships this is indeed an efficient way to work because (i) it is quick and easy for the senior and (ii) the junior will learn more from implementing the comments than they would have learned otherwise. However, it will often be more efficient if you do what you can do yourself. And do not forget that, in the long run, you may benefit from it as well. Others might follow your good example and give you their comments in track changes as well next time you ask for feedback.
Do not go through life (and work) assuming that people should know what goes on in your head. Go out and say it!
So instead of trying to make your life easy, show some respect towards your colleagues and clients and be clear on what you want.
コメント