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Everyone has
heard of technical writing, but most people have no idea what a
technical writer’s job entails. Depending on the type of
assignment, a technical writer’s daily activities may vary
widely. Technical writers typically work in fields like:
- Computer
software and hardware
- Equipment
manufacturing
- Medical
device manufacturing (a specialty area because of regulatory
issues)
-
Biotechnical development and manufacturing
- Consumer
product manufacturing
The
expectations and skill sets required also vary depending on the
type of assignment or position the technical writer has.
Generally,
technical writing assignments fall into three broad categories:
- Freelance
from home or from a customer’s site as needed
- In a small
company or as part of a small team within a large company
- In a large
company as part of a large pool of writers and editors
Freelance
Technical Writing
Freelance
opportunities abound. Many times a company needs written
material tied to a particular project. The writer usually
provides a written proposal for the time and cost of completing
the project. Once the proposal is completed, the writer, working
with an assigned contact within the company, completes the
single project within the agreed-upon time frame. The project
may be paid on an hourly basis or as a flat rate.
There are also
companies that specialize in the placement of technical writers
on contract. Contract positions can be very short or run for
months. Sometimes, they can extend for years. Contract positions
may require some work at the employer’s site, but many can be
completed from home. Contract positions also show up on sites
such as craigslist, sites devoted to technical contractors, and
in the local newspaper want ads.
Freelance
writers complete projects that include technical marketing
materials (brochures, spec sheets, white papers), large software
manuals or instructions for consumer products.
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Writing in a
Small Company or on a Small Team
In a small
company or on a small multidisciplinary team within a large
company, the technical writer has to be a jack of all trades.
The writer is often involved in development of a product from
concept to marketing. The writer may be asked to take notes at
product planning meetings, issue minutes from the meetings,
write initial design documents, produce test plans and other
quality documents, and then create end user instructions or
manuals and marketing materials to support the product. In
addition to writing, if budgets and/or staff are limited, the
writer may be expected to produce simple illustrations, lay out
the documents, and arrange for final printing and binding. The
technical writer may also be expected to write copy for and even
update the company web site.
While this
type of assignment is challenging and requires a broad set of
skills, it is probably the most interesting type of job for a
technical writer. In addition, it allows the writer to function
as a member of the team, obtaining an intimate understanding of
the project or product, and ultimately achieving a sense of
ownership in the project. Not only does the writer have easy
access to subject matter experts, he or she works side by side
with them every day.
Writing in a
Large Company in a Pool
Large companies
often have technical writing departments where a pool of writers
provides writing and editing services to other departments.
There is usually a department manager and there may be
supervisors if the size of the group requires it.
The manager
interfaces with the rest of the company, receiving requests for
writing and editing services and then making assignments within
the pool.
Writers and
editors in the pool are often specialists, assigned to a
particular product line or discipline. Although writers are
always expected to edit their own work, editorial services are
usually available within the pool, and the editor has final say
on style, using the company style guide as a reference.
> Next
Read
more about what technical writers do
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