Technical communication

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Technical communication is the process of conveying usable information about a specific technology to an intended audience. Information is usable if the intended audience is able to perform an action or make a decision based on its contents (Johnson-Sheehan 7). Technical communicators often work collaboratively to create products (deliverables) for various media, including paper, video, and the Internet. Deliverables include user manuals, technical manuals, product specifications, process and procedure manuals, training, business papers, reports, etc.

The technology can be of any kind, including the soft and hard sciences, high technology including computers and software, consumer electronics, and business processes and practices.

Technical communication jobs include the following:

Technical communicator
Technical writer
Technical editor
Technical Illustrator
Information architect
Usability expert
User interface designer
Technical trainer

1 Content creation
2 References
3 Associations
4 External links
5 See also

[edit] Content creation

The process of developing information products in technical communication begins by ensuring that the nature of the audience and their need for information is clearly identified. From there the technical communicator researches and structures the content into a framework that can guide the detailed development. As the information product is created, the paramount goal is ensuring that the content can be clearly understood by the intended audience and provides the information that the audience needs in the most appropriate format.

Largely, technical communications is still a function within organizations, for which employees are hired full-time. However, many organisations are comfortable outsourcing their technical communication needs to specialist firms.