What is a technical communicator

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What is a technical communicator?

• by Iain Wright, FISTC, BA, IBTEPresident of the
  ISTC, 2000 - 2002

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Cost of failure
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Cost of failure
167 dead
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Cost of failure
1994, Israel
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Poor communication - the effect on business


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(No Transcript)
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What is a technical communicator?
A person engaged in the generation, preparation,
communication or dissemination of scientific and
technical information.
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Scientific technical communicators
Technical Authors
Quality Managers
Software Designers
Information Designers
Technical Communicators
Professors
Process Managers
Publication Managers
Translators
Illustrators
Desk Top Publishers
Webmasters
Lecturers
Engineers
Multimedia Designers
Documentation Managers
Graphic Designers
Instructors
Indexers
Customer Information Engineers
Editors
Technical Writers
Scientists
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What is involved? - Preparation

• Interpret the requirements of a client
• Estimate the resources/costs involved
• Research
• Determine the best media for the documents
• Design the structure and style

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What is involved? - Production

• Project management
• Writing
• Editing
• Illustration/Graphic design
• Drafts
• Translation localisation
• Media preparation

• Indexing/Navigation
• Usability testing
• Final artwork and quality checks
• Publication and delivery

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What is involved? - Post delivery

• Distribution control
• Issue control
• Product upgrades
• Changes to standards
• Corporate image changes
• Cultural changes
• Developments in technology

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What makes a good technical communicator?

• Communicate with people of all levels and
  abilities
• Grasp and structure large amounts of information
  
• Confident. Unafraid to question
• Creative
• Disciplined

• Willingness to learn and instruct
• An enquiring mind with attention to detail
• Work as a team
• Imagination

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How do I become a technical communicator?

• www.istc.org.uk
• College university courses
• City Guilds
• Commercial courses
• Product software reviews
• Book reviews
• Links to related sites and organisations
• Join ISTC as a Student or an Associate

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Summary

• A technical communicator provides the information
  that allows a person to use a product or service
  safely and efficiently
• For further information
• www.istc.org.uk
• istc_at_istc.org.uk or call 44 (0)1733 390141

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And finally
Ensure the vehicle is effectively manoeuvered to
change direction. Trent Bus Companys textbook
for drivers.
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Document history

• 3/5/2001 Comments collated and Issue 1.0 released
  by Iain Wright
• 27/3/2001 Draft B prepared by Iain Wright
• 14/1/2001 Draft A prepared by Iain Wright