Technical communication: 7 tips for how to become a good communicator

Texts of a technical nature carry a lot of weight in many sectors. Handbooks, manuals, instructions, products sheets or quick guides – they all share a common trait in that they all relate to technical solutions that can change extremely rapidly. In this context, it is important to have skilled technical communicators with the ability to communicate information in an easily comprehensible manner. If you do not, there is a risk of misunderstandings arising that can have significant consequences for your product.

What is technical communication?

Technical communication refers to communicating and clarifying complex types of texts centred on technical issues. Briefly put, this involves three aspects:

1) Communicating about technical or specialist topics such as computer software, medical products or environmental regulations

2) Communicating using technology – websites, help files or social media, for example

3) Providing instruction in how to perform a specific task

As such, technical communication is the process in which you define, create and deliver information intended to ensure the safe, efficient and effective use of products such as technical systems, software, services and the like.Types of technical communication

Technical communication encompasses texts such as:

Data sheets
Packaging texts
Approval documents
Guides
Handbooks
Manuals
Product specifications
Guidelines
Safety information
System descriptions
Instructions
And more besides ...

What is a technical communicator?

A technical communicator (often called a “technical writer”) is a person who works with technical communication. This person is tasked with communicating information between two or more parties in an accurate, efficient and easily understandable manner. The target group typically comprises highly specific recipients such as users, consumers and customers. 

Technical communicators often work closely with other professionals in order to maintain the quality of the information conveyance. These may include sales staff, engineers, programmers, graphic designers, quality assurance staff and customer support staff. Working together, they can ensure that the product information supplied meets the needs of the users. 

7 tips for how to become a good technical communicator

It takes specialist skills in context analysis, planning, concept development, content creation and more to become a good technical communicator, and it can all appear a little complex and confusing. So, we have prepared the following condensed guide for how to make a start on producing your own technical documentation:

#1 Define your project

When the time comes to produce a technical document, it is essential that you define your objective as well as your stylistic requirements on the documentation. This will help you choose the right language, the right types of information and the right prioritisation of the content.

#2 Focus firmly on your audience

Once you have established the objective of your documentation, you can start to zero in on your target group. From here, it is a matter of knowing your audience so that you can define what information is relevant to the people who are to read your document.

#3 Understand the content

As a technical communicator, it is crucial to have studied the topic in question thoroughly so as to be able to communicate the message correctly. This includes preparing for possible questions from the readers so that you are able to provide detailed answers without delay.

#4 Less is more

As mentioned previously, the art of technical documentation is to communicate complex topics in an efficient, easily understandable manner. So it is important to stick to simple, direct language to ensure that the message in the text comes across as clearly as possible. 

#5 Include images and/or examples

A good way to simplify a text is to include images or examples. Visualisations can prove highly beneficial in helping the readers to understand how to carry out a specific task, for example, or how to use a product correctly. Moreover, including examples can add an extra level of clarity as they can represent a realistic scenario that the reader can use for support. 

#6 Don’t forget the proofreading

It is always important to read through your document carefully once it is finished. Pay particular attention to whether any parts of your text need to be expanded on, or whether there are any areas where you can make the information more precise.

#7 Stay up-to-date!

Finally, it is important to stay up-to-date. The sector for technical solutions is in a constant state of flux, and it is essential to ensure that the field of technical communication changes in step with it. So if you want to make sure that your skills are up-to-date – or if you want to add to them – it is a good idea to consider supplementary training.

Still not quite sure where to start? Then let us give you a hand.

Becoming a good technical communicator demands education and experience. We’re more than happy to help you expand your skills in communicating information.

TCTrainNet course via World Translation

Supplementary training is always a good investment – especially with regard to technical communication. The sector for technical solutions is in a constant state of flux, so now may be a good time to update your skills in the field of technical documentation, and perhaps even obtain a certificate confirming them? World Translation offers TCTrainNet: an international course in technical documentation.

This course is relevant for everyone who works with technical communication:
technical writers, project managers, marketing staff and documentation staff.

Facts about the course in technical documentation:

Type: e-learning
Language: English
Duration: 36 weeks
Exam: Online with tekom certificate
Certified teacher: allocated throughout the courseInterested? Click here to learn more.