Microsoft Security Intelligence Report (SIR)

Business challenge:

The Microsoft Security Intelligence Report (SIR) provides in-depth information on software vulnerabilities and malicious code threats. The report is a vital industry-wide reference, published twice a year to document the most current security trends. For each version, Resources Online provides project management for the report and coordinates developmental editing, copyediting, proofreading, graphic design and layout, and print production.

Microsoft had to produce and publish this 200-page book within eight weeks. The report included many full-color graphics and was to be published in XPS, PDF, and print formats. In addition to meeting the aggressive schedule, Resources Online needed to deliver precise editing to ensure that charts and graphs were consistent and accurate, produce new and complex graphics, coordinate reviews with numerous stakeholders and reviewers, and match the high quality of previous versions of the SIR. After the project was underway, a sudden jump to 250 pages (a 25-percent scope increase) added an unexpected hurdle.

Challenge met.

Resources Online successfully met the challenges of this project with a conservative budget, early planning, experienced staff, and careful scheduling to deliver a high-quality document with minimal changes to the schedule and budget.

Our experience with this type of content and the highly skilled Resources Online team were our greatest assets.

• A flexible schedule allowed us to complete tasks without compromising quality.
• With each new volume, the team experimented and improved on existing processes.
• Technical editing prioritized accuracy, achieved a consistent tone, and maintained key messaging.
• The lead designer refined the template and created a plan to improve the efficiency of graphics corrections, shortening the layout schedule.
• Conservative budgeting provided a buffer so that, when the scope grew 25 percent, our budget increased less than 20 percent.

With careful planning and expertise, we delivered a large project on a tight schedule—without sacrificing the quality and level of responsiveness to which our clients are accustomed.