I'm one of the many in this class to whom "white paper" is a new term. I think the only times I've read or heard about "white papers" were in blog posts and/or comments earlier in the semester in this course.
When I first started reading this week's texts, I felt like white papers were a completely new thing to me all together. Indeed, I can't think of ever reading one. But when I thought about it I have actually written reports for design projects in a couple of my ME classes that seem very similar to white papers. In my sophomore design class, my group designed a medical product for disabled individuals. Our final report was actually pretty similar in structure to the Motorola Push-to-Talk white paper posted in the readings. We were instructed to approach our final report as a pitch to executives of our "company" convincing them of the product's feasibility and profitability. Like the Motorola white paper, our report featured an executive summary. We also included benchmark comparisons and discussions of production and market viability, which, from what I understand, could be useful components of a white paper. So now that I've thought about it I will be drawing a lot from that and other similar experiences when working on this project.
At their simplest, all white papers essentially serve the same purpose: to convince a target audience of a particular need using analytical and unbiased support. There are several types of white papers, however. For example, take the medical product we designed in my sophomore design class. There could me multiple white papers written on this product alone. A white paper could be written for executives, who would need to be convinced that the product is feasible and profitable. It could also be be written for potential buyers, who would need to be convinced they need the product, more so than they might need its competing products. A third audience could be insurance companies and health care providers, who would need to be convinced with detailed safety information that the product is safe and insurable. In each case, slightly different information would be stressed and different prose would be used. However, they are all similar in that they would have to present clear, logical information supporting the need for the product.
As an aside, something ironic occurred when I was jumping on my computer to write this entry. I saw an interesting News link on my Google News homepage, which led to an article from PC World. Lo' and behold, when I followed the link and scrolled down, the page was full of ads and links for white papers. This always seems to happen to me; I'm sure I'll see white papers everywhere now.
White Paper Irony
It is interesting, to me, how many students share a similar story in describing their initial encounter with white papers. So many had not the slightest clue what the correct definition or premise of a white paper was, but in all reality, were very aware of the concept, just not by name. You, for example, mention how you had never heard of the word prior to this course, and even then, had only seen a reference to it in blog posts or comments. But, after having learned the definition and general concept, you understood the purpose and could even relate it to projects you've done in the past. And the specific example you’ve described sounds identical to a white paper’s structure. I just thought that was also ironic, for I too was in the same boat, much as I am regarding your final statement. I am confident that I will have exponentially more encounters reading and composing white papers in the immediate future.
Crappy Name
I too had the same experience during this week’s readings. ‘White papers’ was a term I wasn’t familiar with so I went into the readings kind of nervous because of the fact that we were going to have to do a project on this topic. However, once I read the blog and the “Steak Behind the Sizzle”, I was relieved to realize that I knew what white papers were, I just didn’t know what they were called. Actually the name is kind of counterintuitive being that they are filled, it seems, to the brim with information and design.
I also thoroughly enjoyed the
I also thoroughly enjoyed the “Steak Behind the Sizzle”, I feel it did a great job at describing some of the ups and downs of white papers and how they can play an important role in describing a problem and its solution. Prior to this week I thought I had knowledge of white papers, but I simply thought they were used in cases when some type of technical produced needed a thorough description. It is interesting to me to find out that the government white papers are used to describe actual issues and their solutions. Thinking back, I’m sure I have also encountered many white papers, but didn’t know just what they were.
www.JFlitt.com
white papers
I was in the same boat as you were having never heard of white papers before the readings this week. However the very end of your post was what I thought was interesting. That same thing seems to happen to me alot. But while I was looking for potential research sources for my white paper, I stumbled across so many white papers. It amazed me that I don't ever remember coming across one online before, and now it seems like I saw something about them on almost every other website I visited. So I'm sure you are also going to be seeing white papers everywhere too.
Patrick Griffin
pgriffin@purdue.edu
I too was not familiar with
I too was not familiar with the term “white paper” but now that I know the definition I completely understand what a white paper is meant to do. I have even had a little experience with a white paper before, as you mentioned that you too have had experience with one, but didn’t actually know that it was called a white paper. I have learned that white papers are everywhere, mostly used with technical products, but not always. Design is a very important part of white pages because the document is to be very short and to the point, so the design must be very attractive and easy to read.