Technical Writer

What You Do

Technical writers are responsible for the organizing, writing, and editing of scientific and technical materials. Technical publications include instructional materials, technical manuals, and product documentation.

As a technical writer, you are the communication link between the information and product developers and the people who use these products. End-users have varying levels of skills and expertise, and may be:

• consumers,
• scientists and engineers,
• plant executives,
• programmers, and
• line workers.

Job stream: Technical Writing

Sample titles:

• Technical Writer
• Writer
• Documentation Support

Career Spotlight

Laura Davidson, Technical Writer

Who You Do It For

While many technical writers are employed in the computer industry, a significant percentage work in:

• research and development laboratories,
• health care and insurance companies,
• manufacturing plants, and
• film industry.

Technical writers are also employed by companies to formalize internal policies and procedures.

How You Do It

You must thoroughly understand the equipment or procedure you are writing about in order to produce a technical document. You must also be able to identify technical errors, gaps and other limitations in the documentation. You get this knowledge by studying the available data.

Get to know the software and hardware you are writing about. Since you are the one creating the documentation, there is generally nothing to guide you. You must acquire it through in-depth interviews with the designers, or expert users of these products.

Most documents go through several drafts, before you have a final copy, which is accepted by the project staff and customer. Writing assignments may include:

• user manuals for automated systems,
• procedures, which combine system use with associated steps in performing a function,
• articles for company newsletters and trade journals,
• sales literature,
• research proposals and reports,
• publicity releases,
• catalogues,
• brochures,
• on-line documentation and help systems,
• multimedia publications,
• training manuals, and
• reference and maintenance manuals.

You may be responsible for the delivery of camera-ready copy or final online documentation.

Technical writing is gradually shifting its focus from production of thick user manuals and other publications toward writing shorter pieces of text that are embedded in online systems.

Experienced technical writers are changing the way they compose text, and are using more hands-on compilation and embedding tools.

Challenges

As a technical writer, you need to be flexible and willing to learn. You will be expected to really know the subject matter that you are documenting so you can explain it to others. It is also important that you write clearly and concisely about technical subjects.

Technical writers must have extensive knowledge about various publishing packages, since the environment for technical writers gets more sophisticated all the time.

Technical Writing is detailed work that requires strong organizational skills and involves long periods of focused concentration.

Skills

• gather and consolidate relevant data and information,
• easily pick up new skills and knowledge,
• interview and relate to people,
• write clear and consistent documentation,
• think analytically and solve problems,
• make effective decisions,
• explain complex information simply and accurately,
• pay attention to detail and work effectively under pressure, and
• meet deadlines.

Working Conditions

Technical writers normally work 40 hours a week. However, there are often publication deadlines. Technical writing offers a lot of flexibility. It gives you the opportunities to be self-employed, work part-time or become a casual worker.

Like other workers who spend their time in front of a computer terminal, technical writers are susceptible to eyestrain, back discomfort and hand and wrist problems.

What The Future Holds

The demand for technical writer is expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations as technology continues to expand.

Skill Levels

Entry Level Technical Writer

Working under the supervision of a more senior informatics staff member, you could be required to do any of the following:

• deliver well-written basic procedural or documentation material,
• deliver basic audio-visual material,
• determine what changes need to be made to info systems documentation,
• assist in reviewing and developing new products,
• edit written material from users and verify its accuracy, and
• respond to general questions on basic systems writing.

Full Working Technical Writer

You will be performing the job as technical writer without supervision and you may be responsible for the supervision of other staff on a project. In addition you may be responsible for small projects or portions of medium-large projects, and you may also be required to:

• deliver well-written, moderately complex documentation,
• analyze and determine a range of resource material requirements,
• manage an information product plan or project,
• write modules documenting requirements, procedures, policies, etc.,
• design information for on-line help facilities and exhibits,
• design, prepare and write communication and audio visual manuals,
• present overview documentation and resource changes to staff and users,
• test quality, effectiveness and accuracy of new resource products,
• edit information products and resource materials,
• respond to wide-ranging and detailed questions, and
• ensure consistency of functions across platforms, systems and projects.

Intermediate Technical Writer

As the intermediate technical writer, you will be expected to supervise staff. You may also be required to:

• analyze well-written documents and coordinate requirements,
• coordinate design and writing of technical documentation,
• monitor all systems information products and communications,
• identify standards and documentation issues and recommend alternatives,
• develop criteria to prioritize production and resolve problems,
• allocate resources to production of information products,
• estimate costs and plan for budget requirements,
• respond to wide-ranging and detailed questions, and
• train, discipline and appraise limited number of staff.

Senior Technical Writer

As the senior technical writer you will most likely be involved in planning, conducting and supervising complex informatics assignments. You will also be involved in designing and applying new methods and procedures and supervising staff. You could also be required to:

• coordinate technical writers and assume responsibility for their activities,
• ensure your organization’s procedures and standards are met,
• establish organization’s priorities for development,
• ensure proper identification and dissemination of resource material,
• coordinate staff information and provide update meetings,
• coordinate production of time dated resources,
• develop and supervise design and construction of resource products,
• participate in project review meetings and management meetings,
• coordinate and allocate resources toward informational products,
• develop cost estimates, budget requirements, and train, discipline and appraise staff.

Salary Range

$38,750 - $54,750

Education and Training

Junior Technical Writer

You need a university degree or college diploma with 0-2 years experience in the IT industry and specific job experience in this stream. It helps to have knowledge of a specialized field, such as engineering, or one of the sciences, communications, or journalism, coupled with excellent writing skills and computer literacy.

Full Working Technical Writer

This level requires 3-5 years experience in the IT industry and specific job experience in addition to a university degree or college diploma.

Intermediate Technical Writer

This stream requires 3-5 years experience in the IT industry in addition to a university or college diploma.

Senior Technical Writer

This level requires 6-8 years experience in the IT industry and specific job experience as well as a university degree or college diploma.