Technical Writer
Other Titles
Documentation Designer, Documentation Specialist, Engineering Writer, Expert Medical Writer, Information Developer, Narrative Writer, Requirements Analyst, Technical Communicator
Write technical materials, such as equipment manuals, appendices, or operating and maintenance instructions. May assist in layout work.
Technical Writers are responsible for compiling technical information and details, and writing them in a simple and clear way. In doing so, they are required to be soundly acquainted with the technical equipment or services that they write about. In this role, they thoroughly research the technical aspects that they have to write about and fully understand them before they put them in writing. They aim to write about them in a way that communicates their technical details in an understandable way to the target audience. A part of their job is to determine the tone and degree of technicality that a piece of technical writing should incorporate.
Organize material and complete writing assignment according to set standards regarding order, clarity, conciseness, style, and terminology.
Maintain records and files of work and revisions.
Edit, standardize, or make changes to material prepared by other writers or establishment personnel.
Select photographs, drawings, sketches, diagrams, and charts to illustrate material.
Interview production and engineering personnel and read journals and other material to become familiar with product technologies and production methods.
Develop or maintain online help documentation.
Assist in laying out material for publication.
Study drawings, specifications, mockups, and product samples to integrate and delineate technology, operating procedure, and production sequence and detail.
Arrange for typing, duplication, and distribution of material.
Observe production, developmental, and experimental activities to determine operating procedure and detail.
Review manufacturer's and trade catalogs, drawings and other data relative to operation, maintenance, and service of equipment.
Analyze developments in specific field to determine need for revisions in previously published materials and development of new material.
Draw sketches to illustrate specified materials or assembly sequence.
Review published materials and recommend revisions or changes in scope, format, content, and methods of reproduction and binding.
Confer with customer representatives, vendors, plant executives, or publisher to establish technical specifications and to determine subject material to be developed for publication.
Writing→ Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Reading Comprehension→ Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Active Listening→ Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Speaking→ Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Critical Thinking→ Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Active Learning→ Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Judgment and Decision Making→ Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Time Management→ Managing one's own time and the time of others.
Coordination→ Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Monitoring→ Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Interacting With Computers→ Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
Getting Information→ Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events→ Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge→ Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates→ Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others→ Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
Analyzing Data or Information→ Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
Processing Information→ Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work→ Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
Documenting/Recording Information→ Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships→ Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
Thinking Creatively→ Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards→ Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
Making Decisions and Solving Problems→ Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Communicating with Persons Outside Organization→ Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings→ Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
Training and Teaching Others→ Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People→ Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
Edit written materials.
Compile technical information or documentation.
Maintain records, documents, or other files.
Determine presentation subjects or content.
Research new technologies.
Write informational material.
Review details of technical drawings or specifications.
Coordinate logistics for productions or events.
Design layouts for print publications.
Monitor current trends.
Draw detailed or technical illustrations.
Confer with clients to determine needs.
Written Expression→ The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
Written Comprehension→ The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
Near Vision→ The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
Oral Comprehension→ The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Deductive Reasoning→ The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
Oral Expression→ The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Information Ordering→ The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g. , patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
Inductive Reasoning→ The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
Problem Sensitivity→ The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
Speech Clarity→ The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
Speech Recognition→ The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
Category Flexibility→ The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
Fluency of Ideas→ The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).
Visualization→ The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
Language→ Knowledge of the structure and content of a language - English, French, Swahili et cetera - including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Computers and Electronics→ Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Clerical→ Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
Administration and Management→ Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
Communications and Media→ Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.
Education and Training→ Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
Public Safety and Security→ Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
Production and Processing→ Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
Customer and Personal Service→ Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Analytical or scientific software -- Data analysis software; SAS; IBM SPSS Statistics; Minitab; The MathWorks MATLAB
Application server software -- e.g., GitHub
Computer aided design CAD software -- Computer aided design and drafting CADD software; Autodesk Revit; Autodesk AutoCAD; Bentley MicroStation; Dassault Systemes CATIA; Dassault Systemes SOLIDWORKS; PTC Creo Parametric
Computer based training software -- e.g., Adobe Systems Adobe Captivate
Configuration management software -- e.g., IBM Rational ClearCase; Perforce Helix software
Content workflow software -- e.g., Atlassian JIRA; Iron Mountain; Papertrail; OpenKM; ProcessMaker
Database reporting software -- e.g., SQL Server Reporting Services; Oracle Business Intelligence Discoverer; SAP Crystal Reports
Database user interface and query software -- Data entry software; Microsoft Access; Structured query language SQL; Author-it;FileMaker Pro; Microsoft SQL Server
Data mining software -- e.g., SAS; Wolfram Mathematica; IBM Cognos Business Intelligence
Desktop publishing software -- e.g., Adobe Systems Adobe InDesign; Adobe Systems Adobe FrameMaker; QuarkXPress; Microsoft Publisher; Scribus; Corel Ventura; MadCap Flare; MadCap Software MadCap Flare
Development environment software -- Darwin information typing architecture DITA; Standardized general markup language SGML; IBM Rational ClearQuest; Microsoft Visual Basic
Document management software -- e.g., Adobe Systems Adobe Acrobat; Papertrail; Document Warehouse; GreatSoft’s online document management software; EMC Documentum
Electronic mail software -- e.g., Zoho Mail; IBM Notes; Microsoft Outlook
Enterprise application integration software -- e.g., Extensible markup language XML
Enterprise resource planning ERP software -- e.g., Sage; Xero; Sapama; ebizframe; Odoo; Macro 2000; SYSPRO ERP; QuickEasy BOS; TrueERP; Microsoft Dynamics; NetSuite ERP; Oracle Hyperion; SAP
File versioning software -- e.g., Git
Financial analysis software -- SWOT Analysis software; Forecasting software; Profitability analysis software; ClicData; Float; Oracle Essbase; FreshBooks; Infor F; BankSense; Sisense; Delphi Technology; Oracle E-Business Suite Financials
Graphical user interface development software -- Adobe Systems Adobe RoboHelp
Graphics or photo imaging software -- e.g., Adobe Systems Adobe Creative Cloud ; Adobe Systems Adobe Illustrator; Adobe Systems Adobe Fireworks ; Adobe Systems Adobe Flash; Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop; Corel CorelDraw Graphics Suite; Corel Painter GNU Image Manipulation Program GIMP; Microsoft Visio; Trimble SketchUp Pro; SmugMug Flickr
Internet browser software -- e.g., Apple Safari; Windows Explorer; Google Chrome; Mozilla Firefox
Medical software -- Healthcare common procedure coding system HCPCS; Medical procedure coding software; OpenMRS; Healthbridge; Evolve Medical; GoodX; athenaClinicals; Epic Systems; MEDITECH software
Object or component oriented development software -- e.g., C#; Objective C; Oracle Java
Office suite software -- e.g., Corel WordPerfect Office; Microsoft Office; Google Workspace; Apache OpenOffice.org
Presentation software -- e.g., Google Slides; Apple iWork Keynote; Corel Presentations; Microsoft PowerPoint
Project management software -- e.g., Confluence; Sapama Projects; Sciforma PPM solution; Xero Projects; Microsoft Project; Easy Projects; Microsoft SharePoint; Oracle Primavera Enterprise Project Portfolio Management
Spreadsheet software -- e.g., Corel Quattro Pro; Microsoft Excel; Google Sheets
Video creation and editing software -- e.g., Adobe Systems Adobe Premiere Pro; Adobe Systems Adobe AfterEffects; Apple Final Cut Pro; Apple Final Cut Pro X; Avid Technology Media Composer; YouTube
Web page creation and editing software -- e.g., Adobe Systems Adobe Flash Player; Adobe Systems Adobe Dreamweaver; JustSystems XMetaL; Quadralay WebWorks ePublisher
Web platform development software -- e.g., Dynamic hypertext markup language DHTML; Extensible HyperText Markup Language XHTML; Backbone.js; Hypertext markup language HTML; Google AngularJS; JavaScript; Microsoft ASP.NET
Word processing software -- e.g., Corel Wordperfect; Microsoft Word; Google Docs
Artistic→ Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
Investigative→ Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
Conventional→ Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
Attention to Detail→ Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Dependability→ Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Integrity→ Job requires being honest and ethical.
Cooperation→ Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Independence→ Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
Initiative→ Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Achievement/Effort→ Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
Persistence→ Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
Adaptability/Flexibility→ Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
Self Control→ Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
Analytical Thinking→ Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
Stress Tolerance→ Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations.
Innovation→ Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems.
Concern for Others→ Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
Leadership→ Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.
Independence→ Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
Working Conditions→ Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
Achievement→ Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.