 Getting
Started > Who or What Are Technical Writers?
Perhaps the first question should be, What’s a the difference
between a Technical Writer, Technical Communicator, or Document Developer
? And the answer is: None, Nada, Zero, etc. The basic task remains and
that is to interpret and effectively communicate technical and business-oriented
information. We are expected to be able to undertake development of
a broad range of documents, whether in the computer hardware and software
arena, engineering specifications, electronic systems, medicine, or
in any number of other fields. In recent years, the tasks we might perform
have broadened, to include:
-
Corporate policy and procedures,
-
Marketing and public relations communication,
-
Training materials, and
-
Web content.
The technical writing
field has been explosive for at least the past twenty-five years, and
especially during the late-80s and 90s when tradition
technical writing assignment were abundant. The booming
computer and high technology industry, coupled with the incredible growth
of the Internet,
were key drivers. But in addition to these more typical
kinds of assignments, many more opportunities opened to technical writer’s
as recognition of their skills expanded to encompass more or less non-traditional
areas.
Along the way, as these developments were taking place,
the skills required of technical writers increased, including:
- Greater understanding of the technologies,
- PC and Internet skills,
- Graphics and illustration, and
- General ability to envision presentation of information.
All these factors
interacted – to one extent or another – to
blur the title “Technical Writer.” The result was an effort
to identify a title that better described the profession based on the
new skills required and the employer’s expectations.
There can be no doubt the growth in technology-driven industries
has been instrumental in the dramatic rise in the demand for accurate,
well-written documentation. By far the most prominent demand is for documentation
that allows organizations to use new or existing technology and infrastructure
with maximum productivity. As a direct result, the demand for individuals
with documentation skills continues to expand and the prospects look extremely
good for people with the required skills.
|
|
