David Policar
781-899-5392
dpolicar@alum.mit.edu
Last updated July 2000.
PDF version available.
Functional and information architect, skilled at requirements synthesis and information design, looking for an excellent team building high-quality software tools in an informal environment.
I learn quickly, work effectively (both alone and as part of a team), and can maintain a sense of humor and perspective under trying circumstances.
Functional Architect
Lucent Technologies
Since July 1999
Review and synthesize feature requirements for Arbor/BP, a high-end billing/customer care system.
Coordinate domain leaders, product managers, and client deployment teams in estimating and prioritizing feature requests.
Review designs for consistency with requirements and development standards.
Define and document standards, development processes, and best practices.
Lead Writer
Kenan Systems/
Lucent Technologies
September 1997
to September 1999
Revised existing and created new documents during biannual upgrades for two dozen printed and online documents, plus client-specific and internal documents as needed.
Established documentation guidelines and managed work schedules for team of 4-5 writers.
Reviewed and edited other writers' work for accuracy, consistency, and clarity.
Recruited new writers and department manager.
Provided after-hours technical support.
Technical Writer
Kenan Systems
August 1995
to August 1997
Researched and documented new product features. Revised existing documents for completeness, accuracy, and usability.
Created new documents and online help for product interfaces as needed.
Developed Perl scripts to reformat documents and extract key information from databases, APIs, and engine code.
Created and maintained standard FrameMaker templates for product documentation.
Various positions
Athena Design
August 1993
to July 1995
Managed software development, technical support, quality assurance, training and documentation for 10-20 person NextStep, OS/2, and OpenDoc software shop.
Designed user interface specification and wrote documentation and online help for OS/2 spreadsheet.
Created bug report and enhancement request tracking system.
Developed training and presentations for user groups, trade shows, and third-party resellers.
Collaborated on advertising and collateral materials.
Project Officer
LASPAU
September 1992
to August 1993
Project Officer for Electronic Communications.
Designed and implemented training and support projects to encourage computer network use throughout Latin America and the Caribbean.
Provided Internet training, documentation and technical support to other employees.
Recruited and coordinated volunteer trainers.
Freelance consultant
Various organizations
1991 and 1992
Variety of documentation, training, and systems administration tasks on UNIX, DOS, and Macintosh platforms:
Teaching assistant for Massachusetts Academy, a Brookline charter school.
Taught English as a Second Language for American Red Cross.
Taught chemistry, neuropsychology, cognitive science, critical thinking, and communications skills for MIT's Educational Studies Program.
System administrator and technical trainer for Harvard School of Health employees.
Founding member and stage manager for The Great Escape, a live-role-playing company.
Course developer, trainer, assistant training director, and technical writer for MIT's Project Athena.
Education
Massachusetts Institute
of Technology
September 1986
to September 1990
Bachelor of Science in Cognitive Science
(GPA 3.9)
Studies included neuroscience, perception, learning and information processing.
Independent research in linguistics, development and social dynamics.
Technical skills
Familiar with several operating systems (Mac OS, UNIX, VAX/VMS, Windows NT, OS/2 and NextStep) and more software packages than I'm prepared to list here.
Can develop scripts in perl, UNIX shell, AppleScript and/or Visual Basic. Reading familiarity with C, C++, Smalltalk, and SQL. Electronic publication in PDF, HTML/CGI, WINHELP, and IPF.
Personal and professional skills
Software architecture (requirements synthesis and software design review).
Skilled technical writer, trainer, and public speaker; can address many different levels of sophistication and experience.
Fluent Spanish speaker; some familiarity with Portuguese, German, and Hebrew.
Broad scientific background in mathematics, chemistry and physics.
Reliably produce high-quality output under deadline pressure.
Operate independently, coordinate with a team, and cooperate with management as necessary.
Conform to existing processes or define new ones as appropriate.
Communicate status clearly and honestly; escalate problems when I can't resolve them. Friendly, approachable, willing to assist others.
Innovative, creative problem solver.
Original sense of humor, prone to obscure puns and correspondingly skilled at ducking quickly.
Objectives
Challenging but achievable job responsibilities.
Enough variety to be interesting while still allowing me to build on earlier work.
Informal work environment that expects and rewards achievement, supports diversity among individuals, and is prepared to explore alternatives to methods already in use.
High standards of quality, both for employees and end products.
Here are some more desiderata.