Communication: Technical Communication

Question 1

What does technical mean

Answer 1

• having special and usually practical knowledge especially of a mechanical or scientific subject

Question 2

What does communication mean

Answer 2

• process by which information is exchanged between individuals through a common system of symbols, signs or behavior

Question 3

What are some examples of technical communication?

Answer 3

• user manuals
• standard operating procedures
• patents
• technical reports
• research reports
• standards and codes
• business cases
• reports to government

Question 4

What is technical communication?

Answer 4

Process of defining, creating and delivering information products for the safe, efficient and effective use of products

Question 5

Why is technical communication important

Answer 5

• needed to operate complex systems at him and work
• if people cannot use a product or service, or cannot find out how to solve problems they might across, they are less likely to buy it

Question 6

What are the 10 laws of good report writing

Answer 6

1) produce the report for your readers
2) keep the report as short as possible
3) organise information for the convenience of the reader
4) include accurate references
5) ensure you’re writing is accurate, concise and straightforward
6) include diagrams with right labels in the right place
7). Make sure your summary gives the whole picture in brief
8) check the report for technical errors, typing errors and inconsistency
9) consider design as well as content
10) produce the report for your reader(s)

Question 7

What is a standard operating procedure

Answer 7

• need for organisation, ‘hierarchy’ and ‘layering’ of information
• should be a summary as well as detail

Question 8

What is a patent

Answer 8

Very high level technical document that also requires exceptional writing skills

Question 9

What is a business case

Answer 9

• value proposition
• key partners and key activities
• cost structure
• revenue streams
• stakeholders

Question 10

What are reports to government

Answer 10

• complex in the sense that it is more than ‘merely technical’
• good to have ‘systems thinking’ approach