Why do we need technical communication?

Why do we need technical communication?  Technical communication provides us with the information to navigate new electronics, software packages, any assembly required object and myriad other uses.  It contains crucial instructions without which we would be unable to accomplish whatever we are attempting to do.  The quality of the technical communication is imperative.  Have you ever gotten a new gadget, excited to try it out, only to find that whoever wrote the instructions did not write them with their audience in mind.  Either the language was too technical to understand or it was interpreted poorly.  There are too many examples of poor technical documentation to ignore the importance of its value.

What purpose does it serve?  Technical communication takes the place of an individual assisting us, a teacher or coach, so that we may achieve the result we are looking for.  For example, a technical manual for a software program walks us through the features of the program while showing us what to look for and how to use those features.

There are numerous other examples of technical writing:  instruction manuals for appliances, user manuals for electronic equipment, financial prospectuses, software manuals, on-line instructions for website use, websites for informational purposes, any non-fiction instructional book and disclosure statements for pharmaceuticals, just to name a few.

Technical Writing Tips

The more research I do in the field of Technical Writing, the more useful information I find.  There is a plethora of websites which offer writing tips, design tips, software reviews (see my Wish List for my favorite) and resource lists of books and links to other helpful websites.  My Bookmarks now has a Technical Writing Folder in which I have saved all these sites, many of which I have listed under the "I am Interested In..." section.  I suggest checking out some of these links if you're interested in the Technical Writing field.  Happy Surfing!

Blog on...

The continued review of blog design and content is perplexing and compelling.  I see so many design characteristics on other blogs that I want to employ on my blog.  I play and fiddle and research and still seem unable to find the magic (key)stroke to accomplish the task.

HELP!  For any of you reading this, could you please tell me how to truncate posts with the wonderful "Read More" link so you wonderful readers will see just that first compelling paragraph.  THANK YOU!

Communication in the Workplace

I have been in management positions for a total of about fifteen years.  In that time I have had to have difficult discussions very similar to the case study.  My interactions could have been improved had I had all the information I have received during my courses here at Ashford, especially in conflict resolution.

In attempting to confront a difficult communication situation, there are a series of six steps to get from beginning to end.  They are:

1.      Preparation:  Identify your problem/needs/issues.

2.      Tell the person “we need to talk.”

3.      Interpersonal confrontation:  Talk to the other person about your problem.

4.      Consider your partner’s point of view:  Listen, empathize, and respond with understanding.

5.      Resolve the problem:  Make a mutually satisfying agreement.

6.      Follow up on the solution:  Set a time limit for reevaluation (Cahn & Abigail 2007).

In the beginning...

there was virtually a blank page.  Slowly but surely I'll learn how to design and create a visually appealing blog with interesting and possibly provocative content.  So here we go!