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New Year's Resolutions for Technical Communicators
by Marc Lee, President, Rocky Mountain Chapter
As we begin a New Year, it's traditional—and useful—to resolve to improve and do better in all we do: the New Year's Resolution. Let me propose 10 resolutions as technical communicators we should all consider for the coming year:
- Strive For Excellence In Our Work Products
Technical communication as an industry does not always enjoy the best reputation for communicating clearly and concisely the information our readers/users need or want at a given moment. Information relevant to a problem is hard to find, and when found, not easy to understand. We all know the story.
Folks, this is our problem! Let's own up to it. Nothing short of excellence in communicating must be our goal.
Let us resolve to attain excellence in anticipating our readers'/users' needs, to organize for the user's mental framework, and to be clear and simple in all we produce. This may mean soliciting feedback, extra edits, trials and usability tests—because no communication product—whether manual, curriculum design, marketing brochure, or spec—is really done until the reader or user finds or understands the information.
Also, excellence really requires perfection (or near-perfection) in all the mechanical aspects of our manuals, CBTs, specifications, brochures, or other work output. Resolve: no spelling, grammatical, pagination, reference, consistency or other production errors in anything we work on. None. Nada.
- Understand the Big Picture; Then Fit In
Unless you're Isaac Asimov, your technical communication product probably does not exist in a vacuum or as a standalone artifact. We're all part of a big picture, whether we're employees in a big organization or independent consultants brought in from the outside. In either case, very likely you're part of a commercial/technical process that may include software or hardware products, product manufacturing, engineering, marketing, product sales, distribution, retail sales, and finance. It may involve creating procedures for people halfway around the world with expectations that are hard to anticipate. Figure out how your piece of the puzzle fits with the other pieces. Don't compete; complete…find an approach that works for the big picture as well as fitting your immediate agenda. Strategic thinking by technical communicators will—at times find resonance, maybe even appreciation, elsewhere in your organization.
- Strive for Professional Development
Perhaps you know of a professional in your company, in STC or other organization, whom you admire. Perhaps you admire their professionalism, the quality of their work, their ability to lead others, or their knowledge of some aspect of the business. Emulate them. Talk to them. Find out what they do to stay excellent in all they do. Then attempt to follow the model. Learn a new tool, take classes, volunteer as a member (or leader) of a team. Always align yourself with those most excellent in our business.
- Develop a Specialty
Being a 'generalist' may sound cool at times, but as you grow in the business, you'll learn that it can be divided into dozens, if not hundreds, of highly specialized skill sets. People like to work with experts. Resolve to become one.
It needn't be that esoteric. Look around you. What aspect of the work really interests you? Maybe it's web page development for Linux browsers, maybe it's editing specifically for on-line text, maybe it's organizing useful databases, and maybe it's working with cross-functional teams whose members have conflicting agendas or mind-sets. Resolve to become an expert in that niche or aspect. Sure, there is a risk involved in picking a niche. Realize, however, that the bigger risk is in not picking one. Then, start reading up on that aspect of the business; go to lectures, take a class. Volunteer in this area around the office. You'll start developing a reputation as an expert.
- Resolve to be a Business Person
Technical communication is either a business or part of one. Recognize the business drivers of technical communication where you work or with your clients. Maybe it's speed of production: 'We need a new release of the docs every quarter.' Maybe it's length: 'Our customers won't read a 400 page manual with our software.' Maybe you don't know. That would be a clue. Think big; find out. Try to meet with or interview the business managers in your business. Find out what's on their mind. That's the business you're in.
- Market Yourself
Own up to the fact that you and you alone are responsible for advancement in your career. If you don't figure out a way to promote yourself, probably no one is going to do it for you. What are the best ways to market yourself? Of course, that will depend on your situation. Certainly getting out of your cube or home office and meeting people, networking, joining organizations such as STC, and attending the meetings should be part of your strategy. Also, don't forget about the real importance of nailing each and every assignment you're given. One of the best marketing tools you are likely to have is a great example of your previous work. Treat every project as a potential advertisement for the next project.
- Read Good Technical Writing
He or she who would write (communicate) well, must read. If you're not reading good technical writing, you're probably not communicating effectively either. No, I don't mean sitting down with the 'Operation Guide for the 490XZ Digital Refractor' (or whatever)—though I can think of worse ideas. Seriously, there is great technical writing out there for you to read…think Isaac Asimov, Rudy Rucker (the mathematician), or Steven Jay Gould. See how effortlessly the world-class technical writers pull off explaining really difficult material. Then, emulate it in your own work. You say your 'User's Guide to the Enterprise System Software' isn't the same as writing about the big bang, evolution, or Hilbert spaces? Well, you can at least apply some of the principles.
- Be Passionate
Technical communication may not sound all that exciting, but it is and can be. You have to bring the passion to it. Find a way to become passionate about what you do. Get excited. Strive to make it the best you can. It's your profession; get into it.
- Tell a Story
Yes, it's only the user's guide to the new software product, or the new system specification for a network protocol, but there's a storyline in there somewhere. Resolve to find it and bring it out. We're technical communicators; it's our job to find the 'inner game' of the technical subject we're assigned to and tell its story.
- Finally, Enjoy Yourself
This is a rich world. There's plenty to get involved in and learn about. That's the best fun there is. Liberally apply this principle to your work. If you're not having fun and learning, maybe you need a new plan. If you're enjoying writing the manual, (and that doesn't mean it's not hard work), the reader will be able to tell.
OK, that's my Top Ten for '05. For each resolution that appeals to you, you can be sure there are chapter members who have been successful following that particular one. Come to the meetings and get in touch with them; ask them how they approached it. You may become inspired to try it too. I hope each of you enjoys the fruits of these resolutions—and those of your own—in 2005. See you at the chapter meetings in the coming months.
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