1. What makes sense in one context might not make sense in another

2. Easier tools won't make non-writers willingly start writing docs

3. You're less likely to outgrow tools that are flexible, customizable, and hackable

4. To assess trends related to titles and roles, look at job postings for a reality check.

5. Trends start on the web before they make their way into tech comm

6. If you're working with developers, following their workflows, tools, and processes helps you connect with their world

1. What makes sense in one context might not make sense in another.

Application: The post-pandemic world is a new context where previous models might no longer apply. Previously, fully remote workers were often contractors hired through outsourcing, and outsourcing didn't make local tech writers extinct. But in the context of a post-pandemic world, outsourcing might be more common because everyone would already be remote.

2. Easier tools won't make non-writers willingly start writing docs.

Application: Tech writing professions are here to stay because no matter the tooling, writing is a lot of work that non-writers just won't naturally start doing on their own. But the connection to remote work here isn't clear.

3. You're less likely to outgrow tools that are flexible, customizable, and hackable.

Application: Though not a tool, remote work offers much more flexibility and customization of schedules, location, family arrangements, and more. You can adapt your schedule to almost anything, attend virtual meetings, video conference from anywhere, interact with tools asynchronously, etc. The flexibility of the fully remote model suggests that it will win over models with more constraints.

4. To assess trends related to titles and roles, look at job postings for a reality check.

Application: Although many tech companies now offer permanent remote, it seems that most companies are offering hybrid models. Hybrid models would reduce the chances of a disruptive, globally distributed workforce and would keep things relatively the same. However, if permanent remote companies prove more competitive, they could accelerate the shift to remote work.

5. Trends start on the web before they make their way into tech comm.

Application: Look to engineers and web-centric tech companies as trendsetters. Many engineers seem suited to remote work because coding is a task requiring a lot of deep concentration and uninterrupted flow. Extended concentration is even more challenging to achieve given how social media has reduced our attention span dramatically. Most devs dislike meetings for the disruption and context switching. Remote work amplifies the isolation and might be a way engineers cling to possibilities for creative flow.

6. If you're working with developers, following their workflows, tools, and processes helps you connect with their world.

Application: If engineers prefer permanent remote, then tech writers (who interact mainly with engineers) should likely follow suit to match similar rhythms, workflows, tools, and preferences as engineers (at least in dev docs). Where engineers go, tech writers will follow.

Overall conclusion

It seems more likely than not that fully-remote work becomes the norm for tech companies in the future, but for the time being, most are adopting hybrid models.

Takeaway