The basic need of any manufacturing and industrial unit is to sell its product. But, in order to sell its products it needs to teach or rather guide its audience about the technicalities and complexities of how the product operates. Here, comes in the work of “technical writer”. I am sure many of us have heard this term earlier but are not acquainted as to who is a technical writer.
The word Technical Writer itself suggests its implicit meaning. A technical writer is a person who basically communicates with the users, providing them with concise and accurate information as how the product works but in a simple and comprehensive manner. His work is to present clear, concise and correct information to his users. This information is presented in a documented form. The documentation can be of many facets like User guide, online help, design and information details where all are presented with the goal of accuracy to the audience. The audience is targeted as mass of users who are unaware of the product. So guidance is what the aim of a technical writer.
Someone may ask whether a technical writer is himself a specialist of the product or not. He cannot misguide the users so it is very important for him to know about the product. Before going ahead with the documentation he has to know himself about the intricacies and through detailing of the product. For which he needs to gathers all the information from SME (subject matter expert) and then he goes ahead with the documentation. He has to follow an interactive understanding with the SME.
A technical writer is just like an author, who shapes and defines the vision for his audience. The task of a technical author/information developer has to undergo many stages before a document is published. After the stage of Information gathering, Drafting is important where he sequentially puts all his information and when he is sure that he has drafted all the required information he sends it for Reviewing to the SME and with further editing the document comes to the last stage of its life that is Publishing. These stages are decisive as how the document will come out to be, or more precisely it shapes the life of the documentation.
The prime requirement of a technical writer is his command over the language. Language becomes the medium to communicate with the users. The product also depends on the accuracy of the user guide manual- of how well the steps and the procedures are explained by the technical writer. Along with writing skills he should also know software tools which would make his work simpler and easier. The task of a technical writer is primary in any field from government organization to software development. This profession is demanding as it makes the product handy to the users. And would help us getting rid of notions like women are techno-capped and probably has helped me also to flaunt my new LED.
