The HR COMPASS Team realizes that original writing is not simple--it is difficult and takes time. 
Source material can be hard to get, interviews can turn into a game of phone tag, and delivering 
exactly what the writer had in mind can be a hit-and-miss proposition. Our approach finds flaws 
before the document is released. Incorrect facts, grammatical errors, incorrect spelling and 
improper punctuation can be embarrassing, and can become a liability rather than an 
enhancement to a program. We evaluate draft regulations, issue papers, white papers, 
important letters, articles for publication, and other documents. We evaluate policy documents 
for the support of M&RA and G-1 level organizations, both policy and procedural documents for 
HR Command and evaluate operational documents for installation military and civilian personnel 
offices. Regardless of the type document or the level of organization within the personnel 
community, the HR COMPASS Team has access to qualified personnel to successfully perform 
this task.

Our process for evaluating documents such as articles for publication establishes the purpose of 
the article, the audience, and the message it is intended to convey, e.g., establish the "what, 
where, who, why, when, and how" of the article. After identifying the program's goals, we 
evaluate/edit the article for content, style, graphic layout, and perform copy editing. Our 
technical editing process checks for accuracy and completeness. We verify factual information 
including names, titles, numbers, etc. We request and use source documents available within the 
organization. We use the Lexis-Nexus news database and the Internet/Web to identify publicly 
available material. We correct inconsistencies, and flag all facts that could not be verified. We 
make suggestions on content flow, correct cumbersome or unclear wording, and edit syntax so 
article is written in the correct tense. We also edit so the document is in "one voice" (this is a 
problem when multiple writers contribute to the same article). Editing also includes correcting 
grammar, spelling, and punctuation. For style evaluation, we will follow the style manual the 
organization may have adopted as the standard or use the U.S. Government Printing Office 
Style Manual. For grammar and punctuation we use The Elements of Style. 

Our basic copyediting will be grammar, spelling, and punctuation. We suggest this even if the 
copy has already been through the organization's approval process to ensure that all edits have 
been incorporated and "fresh eyes" are doing a final review. 

The HR COMPASS Team provides the following services:

  * Review and assist with guidance on document contents
  * Evaluate organization policy and procedures
  * Assessment of operations manuals
  * Review budget materials