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Tinker Tailor Soldier Sailor - What you Can Do as a Technical Communicator

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Beth Agnew
Beth Agnew

What can you do as a technical communicator? Just about anything! This presentation shows the versatility of those who work in tech comm, and why companies need us.

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Tinker Tailor Soldier Sailor What you can do as a technical communicator A presentation for STC Toronto Career Day Beth Agnew Sep 25 2010
Technical Communication Practical Communication Communication that helps someone carry out a task, solve a problem, or to answer a question. Specialized communication for a non-specialized audience Shaping information in such a way that it communicates effectively, quickly and accurately. Using technology to communicate information to a user so that a goal can be achieved.
Role of the Technical Communicator Facilitate Communication Translate technical language into plain language Document processes and procedures Communicate technical & scientific developments to a lay audience Help turn information into knowledge
Tinker Tailor Soldier Sailor - What you Can Do as a Technical Communicator
Tinker Tailor Soldier Sailor - What you Can Do as a Technical Communicator
Tinker Tailor Soldier Sailor - What you Can Do as a Technical Communicator
Technical Communication a Broad Category Including, but not limited to: Technical writers Information developers Web content developers Documentation specialists Technical editors Technical illustrators Technical trainers We take complex and technical information and make it understandable to those who need it.
Where we work Computer Industry Aerospace, Automotive (NASA, GM) Manufacturing, Engineering firms (General Mills, AECON) Sciences (Pharma, Biotech, Environment) Government, Institutions (Hospitals, Military, Research Facilities, Large corporations) Anything high tech and many more!
VITAL Technology determines the nature and supply of a societys physical resources.1 Technology is knowledge. Knowledge which is not communicated is lost. 1 Paul Zane Pilzer
Types of Assignments - 1 User guides White papers Marketing brochures, spec sheets, labels, signs, packaging, press releases Help files Error messages, interface tooltips and labels Installation instructions Usability testing Project documentation Technical reports
Types of Assignments - 2 Web sites E-Learning Corporate videos/documentaries Product Demonstrations & Trade Shows Focus Groups & Customer Advisory Boards Single-Sourcing Knowledge Management Content Management
Types of Assignments - 3 Science Writing Customer Newsletters Beta Testing Programs Voice mail script writing E-mail response writing E-book publishing Mass personalization Meeting Facilitation
We always do more We might be asked to edit a scientific paper for spelling and grammar but also discover lapses in logic, in content and in scientific methodology
Photo courtesy of Wenger Inc.
Photo courtesy of Wenger Inc.
Where do you want to be? No matter where you see yourself on the above continuum, there is a place for you in the technical communication profession.
Skills Project Management Leadership Interviewing Publishing Human Resources Management & Budgeting General Business Skills Negotiation, Risk Management, etc. Add Acco unting and yo u have an MBA!
Core Competencies Action oriented Deal with ambiguity and uncertainty Communicate needs and requirements Interpret information on behalf of the user. Figure things out Take initiative Team Player Learn quickly
Core Competencies - 2 Research thoroughly Anticipate problems Identify risks Develop estimates, plans, and schedules Meet deadlines Communicate well Skilled writer
Core Competencies - 3 Specific Tasks Proficient with MS Word Proficient with FrameMaker (InDesign) Proficient with HTML Help, RoboHelp Install/Uninstall Software Trouble-shooting Proficient with general computer tasks Proficient with graphics programs
Tools We Use FrameMaker, Quark Xpress, InDesign RoboHelp / Doc to Help / Madcap Flare Captivate, SnagIt!, Camtasia Studio MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint Visio, Paint Shop Pro, PhotoShop, etc. Web applications, Java, Perl etc. Enterprise applications (Lotus Notes, etc.) C++, UML, HTML, XML Proprietary software / hardware
Drawback or Feature? Problem: A company manufactures sea salt as a healthier substitute to regular table salt. Customer feedback on the product indicates that purchasers do not like the way the salt clumps together. This does not happen with competitors table salt (Sifto, Morton: When it rains, it pours).
Drawback or Feature? Solution Note on the package of Mediterranean Sea Salts: This ancient natural food enhancer has been collected from the waters of the Mediterranean shores of Sicily. Sun and wind evaporate sea water reservoirs to white crystalline salt masses, harvested and cleared of impurities. This true product of nature, gourmet preferred, contains absolutely no additives and may cake together after long periods of time. In our opinion, a firm tap on the bottom of the box is a small price to pay for the great taste of nature.
Contact Beth Agnew: Beth.Agnew@senecacollege.ca Twitter: @Professorsan SenecaTechComm.com 416-491-5050 x 33133 @ Seneca College

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Tinker Tailor Soldier Sailor - What you Can Do as a Technical Communicator

  • 1. Tinker Tailor Soldier Sailor What you can do as a technical communicator A presentation for STC Toronto Career Day Beth Agnew Sep 25 2010
  • 2. Technical Communication Practical Communication Communication that helps someone carry out a task, solve a problem, or to answer a question. Specialized communication for a non-specialized audience Shaping information in such a way that it communicates effectively, quickly and accurately. Using technology to communicate information to a user so that a goal can be achieved.
  • 3. Role of the Technical Communicator Facilitate Communication Translate technical language into plain language Document processes and procedures Communicate technical & scientific developments to a lay audience Help turn information into knowledge
  • 7. Technical Communication a Broad Category Including, but not limited to: Technical writers Information developers Web content developers Documentation specialists Technical editors Technical illustrators Technical trainers We take complex and technical information and make it understandable to those who need it.
  • 8. Where we work Computer Industry Aerospace, Automotive (NASA, GM) Manufacturing, Engineering firms (General Mills, AECON) Sciences (Pharma, Biotech, Environment) Government, Institutions (Hospitals, Military, Research Facilities, Large corporations) Anything high tech and many more!
  • 9. VITAL Technology determines the nature and supply of a societys physical resources.1 Technology is knowledge. Knowledge which is not communicated is lost. 1 Paul Zane Pilzer
  • 10. Types of Assignments - 1 User guides White papers Marketing brochures, spec sheets, labels, signs, packaging, press releases Help files Error messages, interface tooltips and labels Installation instructions Usability testing Project documentation Technical reports
  • 11. Types of Assignments - 2 Web sites E-Learning Corporate videos/documentaries Product Demonstrations & Trade Shows Focus Groups & Customer Advisory Boards Single-Sourcing Knowledge Management Content Management
  • 12. Types of Assignments - 3 Science Writing Customer Newsletters Beta Testing Programs Voice mail script writing E-mail response writing E-book publishing Mass personalization Meeting Facilitation
  • 13. We always do more We might be asked to edit a scientific paper for spelling and grammar but also discover lapses in logic, in content and in scientific methodology
  • 14. Photo courtesy of Wenger Inc.
  • 15. Photo courtesy of Wenger Inc.
  • 16. Where do you want to be? No matter where you see yourself on the above continuum, there is a place for you in the technical communication profession.
  • 17. Skills Project Management Leadership Interviewing Publishing Human Resources Management & Budgeting General Business Skills Negotiation, Risk Management, etc. Add Acco unting and yo u have an MBA!
  • 18. Core Competencies Action oriented Deal with ambiguity and uncertainty Communicate needs and requirements Interpret information on behalf of the user. Figure things out Take initiative Team Player Learn quickly
  • 19. Core Competencies - 2 Research thoroughly Anticipate problems Identify risks Develop estimates, plans, and schedules Meet deadlines Communicate well Skilled writer
  • 20. Core Competencies - 3 Specific Tasks Proficient with MS Word Proficient with FrameMaker (InDesign) Proficient with HTML Help, RoboHelp Install/Uninstall Software Trouble-shooting Proficient with general computer tasks Proficient with graphics programs
  • 21. Tools We Use FrameMaker, Quark Xpress, InDesign RoboHelp / Doc to Help / Madcap Flare Captivate, SnagIt!, Camtasia Studio MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint Visio, Paint Shop Pro, PhotoShop, etc. Web applications, Java, Perl etc. Enterprise applications (Lotus Notes, etc.) C++, UML, HTML, XML Proprietary software / hardware
  • 22. Drawback or Feature? Problem: A company manufactures sea salt as a healthier substitute to regular table salt. Customer feedback on the product indicates that purchasers do not like the way the salt clumps together. This does not happen with competitors table salt (Sifto, Morton: When it rains, it pours).
  • 23. Drawback or Feature? Solution Note on the package of Mediterranean Sea Salts: This ancient natural food enhancer has been collected from the waters of the Mediterranean shores of Sicily. Sun and wind evaporate sea water reservoirs to white crystalline salt masses, harvested and cleared of impurities. This true product of nature, gourmet preferred, contains absolutely no additives and may cake together after long periods of time. In our opinion, a firm tap on the bottom of the box is a small price to pay for the great taste of nature.
  • 24. Contact Beth Agnew: Beth.Agnew@senecacollege.ca Twitter: @Professorsan SenecaTechComm.com 416-491-5050 x 33133 @ Seneca College