If, like me, you attended BCIT’s recent technical writing alumni event, I’m sure you also enjoyed the interesting presentations on this topic and the thought-provoking debates that followed.
Our panelists were
Jennifer Zickerman, Doc Wrangler at Mozilla Messaging
James Hill, Technical Writer for Polycom Inc
Thu Huynh, Technical Writer & Trainer for Webtech Wireless and PortaOne
Olga Kostiouchina, Technical Writer for McKesson Corp
moderated by
Ted Rutledge, Senior Applications Trainer & Analyst for Vancouver Coastal Health.
The panelists suggested that technical communication skills include the abilities to work with people and retrieve information from them, to analyze and structure information, to take charge and manage projects, and to advocate for both users and clients.
This summary—while conveniently concise—is obviously simplistic, because each item in the list represents an entire discipline. I found a useful description of the different components of a technical communicator’s role on the website for the Technical Communicators Association of New Zealand.
The article also does a great job of cataloguing the key skills and knowledge, and of giving useful tips on how to acquire them.
Considering the range and diversity of skills required, I wonder what level of specialization can realistically be achieved in each skill. As technical communicators, are we, perhaps, jacks of all trades and masters of none?
No comments:
Post a Comment