Monday, June 17, 2002		Article

Writing right could be your flight
Sumesh Raizada

IN past few years there has been a sudden boom in the telecommunications and electronics market with products like mobile phones, pagers, PDAs, personal computers and related hardware like printers, modems, scanners flooding them. These products, though designed and developed by engineers and computer professionals, are utilised mostly by non-technical people who may be housewives, children or businessmen. Computers are in extensive use in offices, cyber cafes, departmental stores, public utilities like railway reservation, airlines, banks, etc., where staff are mostly people who are not aware of the operational and technical aspects of the equipment. The users thus have to be guided thoroughly with the help of instruction and maintenance manuals on how to install operate and perform minor maintenance of the gadgets. The task of preparing technical information and instructions is performed by professionals who themselves are from a non-technical background. They are referred to as technical writers.

Technical writers receive information and technical details about a product from its developer and then communicate the same in a simple, easy-to-understand language to the users. Usually a user's guide is in the form of a printed booklet, CD or floppy disks. The popularity of the Internet has led to a spurt in several Web-based applications like online learning, games, music channels, e-mail, videoconferencing, chat, etc. Technical writers prepare content for Web sites in a concise and simple way so that those exploring the site may be able to gather maximum information about it in the shortest time.

Earlier, the preparation of technical guides used to be done by engineers who designed or developed the product. The manuals so developed were at times so technical in nature that they could be understood only by few people. Moreover, as technology developed and became more complex, developers could not devote sufficient time to writing handbooks. Hence, technical writers were employed to write user guides and service manuals.

Technical writers also create on-screen help menus for Windows and other applications, design and illustrate handbooks or training manuals for new users. They are sometimes also called technical communicators because of the nature of the job performed by them. Relatively new people from different functional areas such as language (English), journalism, computers, advertising and marketing, etc., are involved in this skilled and creative profession. The job prospects are bright for these professional writers due to tremendous growth potential in the field of information technology.

Technical writers are mostly employed by software and hardware firms, Web site developers, advertising agencies, multimedia companies, etc. They also work as freelancers for developing print or electronic documentation in the form of instruction handbooks, user guides, repair manuals, catalogues, brochures, policy guides, etc. Proficiency in DTP, computer software and a good command over the English language are a must for this job. These professionals make extensive use of word-processing software, graphic applications and multimedia tools for developing the text. They also make use of tools such as HTML for providing information through Web sites, preparing slides or CD presentations to educate people in the use of new technologies.

Technical writers are specialists in documentation work and are skilled in all areas of document design and publication. They compile information of a technical nature and put it in a format that can be easily understood by readers unfamiliar with technology. The most important thing for any technical writer is to understand the user she is addressing. Usually, a manual is directed towards a specific audience segment that needs to know about a product. Technical writing, therefore, has to be clear, accurate and easy to understand.

To become a successful technical writer, a person must have a good command over English grammar and vocabulary. She should be able to understand and interpret the technologies being used and then explain them in a precise manner. Besides, she must possess good interpersonal and interviewing skills. These are helpful while interacting with and extracting information from scientists, engineers, programmers or software developers.

Technical writers are employed in the fields of computer hardware, software, manufacturing, medicine, engineering and biotechnology. There are also opportunities in newspapers, technical magazines, Web sites, advertising agencies and computer software and hardware firms. In India, firms like Wipro Technologies, Aditi Technologies, Satyam, Polaris Software and TCS provide opportunities for these professionals. In advanced countries like the USA or Canada, technical communicators often work as programmers, systems analysts, information architects and project leaders. Companies like Intel, Microsoft and HP offer a wide range of technical products that require manuals in different languages.

Though a formal degree or qualification is not required for becoming a technical writer, knowledge of word-processing and desktop publishing tools such as MS word, Adobe FrameMaker, Quark Express is must. A professional should also be proficient in online authoring applications like RoboHelp, ForeHelp or Microsoft Front page.

There are universities and institutes abroad where graduate and higher-level courses in technical writing are offered. Students are exposed to desktop publishing, computer graphics, and technical illustration. Institutes also offer curriculum in video and computer-related imagery, technical writing and documentation, communication skills, technical journalism, documentation development and proposal writing.

Though in India no such formal course is available in universities, there are institutions such as Technowrites in Pune and Deldot systems in Bangalore that offer certified courses in technical writing. The Indian National Scientific Documentation Centre (INSDOC) in New Delhi also offers courses in documentation. There are a few courses in journalism, mass communications and English language that are helpful for prospective professionals.

The technical writing process consists of planning, organizing, writing, editing and revising technical information. A person must possess sufficient organisational, logical and communication skills, as well as inclination towards writing. They must have sufficient exposure to computer programming as it helps in communicating with programmers, technical leads, quality assurance testers, and support technicians. With the application of computers in almost every field such as military, aerospace, engineering, finance, health, and education, technical writers have a vast scope to choose their area of operation from.

Technical writers can earn fairly well through either regular employment or freelancing. On an average, the salaries of experienced professionals are over Rs3.5 lakh per annum, while those working as freelancers may earn around Re 1 to 3 per word. In the USA, they might earn $40,000 to $70,000 per annum. However, the working hours are erratic and may sometimes stretch to nearly 12 hours a day.

These professionals are also involved in the translation of instruction manuals that are made available with electronic gadgets like video cameras, CD players, television or computer hardware. Since these products are sold globally it is essential that manuals should be easily understood by users in their own language. Besides, if a user's manual is not easily understood, customers may not be able to install the equipment. This may lead to damage of sensitive components, causing additional costs and may result in a drop in the image of a company.

A technical writer gathers information either from written sources or by interviewing developers. They prepare a draft that is reviewed by engineers, managers, technical support people, etc., for modification and correction. Thus, writing, editing, and design skills are the essentials for technical writing. In addition to that, a writer should be able to use features like conditional text, conversion filters, document management features, frames, formats, indexing, macros, tables, styles, etc.

These professionals take up posts such as technical writer, publications analyst, publications department supervisor, consultant, editor, etc. The demand for technical writers is expected to increase with the growth in scientific and technology-based products. As new technologies are developed, there would be a greater need for people who could provide related information in print or electronic form.