Technical Communication: A profession of challenges and surprises

For people of the present century, technology and its innovations are inevitable. Anything and everything witnessed around is an embodiment of technology. Without proper understanding of the artefacts or products the factor of comfortable existence becomes a burly issue. To address this issue of understanding complex technologies and to enlighten the folks with information a cluster of skilled, trained and prolific technical communicators has been implanted.

What does technical communication really implies?

Today's dynamic world of technology entails an array of individuals who can understand scientific, technical and complex information and can communicate that information into easily graspable bits to others. Technical communicators' community encompasses writers, instructors, editors, graphical artists, managers, mentors, and media experts who are all-pervading.

Transition from Technical Writing to Technical Communication

The evolution of technical writing is tremendous that it has conceived itself into a more comprehensive field of technical communication. Technical communicators serve as the bridge between the creators and the users.

Technical writing involves translating technical ideas initiated by scientists, programmers, specialists, developers and engineers into easily understandable information. Technical Communication involves not only writing, but designing the entire document which might include text, tables, maps, flow diagrams, graphs, chart, illustrations, and multi-media. This transition from technical writing to technical communication improves the quantity and quality of deliverables. The ultimate document might be a user guide or a tutorial or a sales presentation or a reference guide or an online help and the list of deliverables is endless.

Work and Lifestyle

Technical communicators spend a bulk of their time in activities like research, analysis, scheduling, designing, writing, editing, reviewing, discussions, meetings etc. In each of the activities mentioned above technical communicators encounter variety of obstacles and challenges.

Challenges and Solutions

Various challenges faced by technical communicators and the respective solutions to overcome the challenges are discussed below:

1. Research & Analysis
Problem/Challenge: Lack of facilities
Solution: Try to convince your management that research is a vital part of documentation cycle and the need for facilities like internet, existing documents and client interaction.
2. Planning & Scheduling
Problem/Challenge: Lack of deadlines and adequate inputs
Solution: Put yourself on track to get necessary inputs from the SMEs and Project Managers about the project, its importance, deadlines etc.,
3. Designing & Writing
Problem/Challenge: Lack of standards
Solution: Communicate with your superiors about the absence of standards and try to create standards for documentation. If the standards are present strictly apply them throughout your documents.
4. Editing
Problem/Challenge: Lack of editors
Solution: Request your colleagues to edit your documents. Learn the basics of copy editing. Try to improve the domain knowledge to perform technical editing of your document.
5. Reviewing
Problem/Challenge: Lack of review
Solution: Insist the importance of technical review of the document to the SMEs or developers. Remind them about the documents pending for review.
6. Discussions & Meetings
Problem/Challenge: Lack of recognition
Solution: Establish your presence by providing valuable and constructive ideas. Put forward your suggestions for improvement in the GUI and other aspects of the product or project.
7. Overall Documentation
Be consistent, concise, audience-friendly, simple and powerful.

Copyright © 2009 Kumaraguru. All rights reserved