“So…What do you do, as a technical writer, exactly?”

As a technical writer, you’ll likely hear this question often, especially at first.
After answering it about 50 times, you’ll probably find yourself saying something like, “I write manuals on how to operate machines (or software) while working closely with engineers.”
“Kind of like Ikea assembly manuals, but for machines!” you might add.
Some might consider technical writing as “boring” or “not techy enough”; others, “easy” or “hard”; some might have barely heard of it.
Considering these burning questions…let’s demystify this mystery job!

The sense-maker, the docs-whisperer, The Technical Writer Magic

What are technical writers, & why do we exist? (Technical writer, also known as technical author and technical editor…)
Think of it this way: If rocket scientists build a spaceship, we make sure no one presses the self-destruct button by accident!

A technical writer creates clear and simple documents that explain complex ideas or systems. These documents, like guides, manuals, and reports, help users understand and use technology easily.

In addition, a technical writer is…

  • An editor, proofreader, & updator of the content of the technical documentation. This content can be text, images, illustrations, tables, charts, & more.
  • A user advocate, this professional crafts content that makes sense to every type of user, from experts to 8th graders.
  • A content architect, this professional structures information in a way that makes it easy to find.

Someone to bridge the gap

Why does this job exist? Because engineering experts speak a dialect of “industry jargon”, which prevents communication between the “expert” and the “end-user”.
On the field, end-users just want to know which button to press, or how to solve the technical problem at their desk.
A real-life example of this is: you don’t need to understand how electricity works in your home, but you need to know which button to press to fix a short circuit in your apartment!
Therefore, it is necessary to have someone to explain complex technology simply.

Lost in translation

“To explain things simply” is harder than it looks because it requires distilling complex ideas into clear, concise language, without the loss of important details.
It is necessary to understand the subject deeply, anticipate the audience’s knowledge level, provide a right balance between simplicity and accuracy. Simplification often means stripping away jargon or assumptions, which takes skill and careful thought.
It is easy to overcomplicate or oversimplify, making it challenging to get it just right.

The real life of a Technical Writer
(Lights, camera, action!)

Curious what this job’s like on a daily basis, for a tech writer? Here’s the inside scoop, straight from me!
(a technical writer who lives on caffeine and draft papers).

  • As a technical writer for a manufacturing company, I usually start my workday by going over the most recent technical drawings and engineering specs from the engineering team.
  • Then, based on recent engineering developments & feedback, I begin to write succinct, easy-to-read instructions for machine maintenance, installation, and safe operation.
  • To create the technical documentation, I use software such as:
    • Adobe Illustrator, to create technical illustrations
    • Microsoft Word or ArborText or Schema ST4, to create textual content & integrate the technical illustrations
    • Automated approval workflows, to make sure that the documents are reviewed and approved by engineering managers
    • MadCap Flare, to publish the documents
    • Microsoft Tasks & Outlook (to juggle multiple tasks & projects at once).
  • To guarantee correctness, the afternoon is devoted to editing, verifying specifications, and collaborating with engineers. I’m going over the most recent feedback by the end of the day, prepared to take on another round of editing. It requires ongoing balancing of patience, inventiveness, and technical accuracy.

What the future holds: Will AI replace Technical Writers?

  • AI might be slowly revolutionizing technical writing, as we witness an increase in automated content creation & maintenance, data-backed decisions for content writing, and sharper AI-driven translation tools. All of these are power tools for a technical writer, waiting to be leveraged for high-quality documentation.
  • However, certain technical issues depend on context & user-specific challenges. In some cases, AI might struggle to understand the origin of certain issues, such as why a specific software update crashes on a unique system configuration, for example. In spite of the rise of chatbots & AI-driven documentation, AI might not grasp specific audience needs or nuance.
  • This makes human creativity & critical thinking the base for technical documentation, and AI a powerful tool to craft it.

Final Takeaway: Is This Tech Writer Job for You?

If you have a passion for technology, writing, and problem-solving, you could thrive in this role.
Explore how you can transition to the role of a technical writer:

Industries

  • Software, SaaS, IT, & Telecommunications (documentation for software, APIs, user manuals, infrastructure documentation)
  • Engineering & Manufacturing (technical manuals, safety guides)
  • Energy, Renewables, & Aerospace (oil & gas, renewable energy, aviation maintenance reports,)
  • Healthcare (medical device manuals, regulatory documents)

Essential skills

  • Writing and editing skills
  • Technical knowledge
  • Research and analysis
  • Information architecture and organization
  • Tools and software proficiency
  • Collaboration and communication
  • Attention to detail

Career growth

  • Documentation manager
  • UX Writer
  • Information architect
  • Content strategist
  • Content developer
  • Specialized technical writer for a specific industry (such as aviation, medical, legal, software)

Education

  • Bachelor’s degree in English, communications, or journalism
  • Bachelor’s degree in a technical field, such as engineering, computer science, IT
  • Associate or undergraduate degrees, combined with technical certifications
  • Professional experience in a technical industry, combined with a strong portfolio (that shows technical writing samples)

Conclusion

  • Without technical writers, user manuals would just say, “Good luck!”, while end-users deal with tech rage, trying to solve technical problems without a proper guide.
    To invest in highly qualified technical writers is to invest in your organization’s efficiency & success.
  • Just like any job, technical writing could potentially become replaced by AI. However, there’s no need to panic or fear-monger. AI can become a technical writer’s secret weapon to write top-tier documentation.

Learn more about technical writers

AI tools for writing

Courses, certifications, Networking

Freelance Service Offers—Tailored for Your Technical Needs.

Need crystal-clear documentation, technical illustrations that make sense, or data insights that tell a story? Whether it’s technical writing, software docs, or analytics, together we turn complexity into clarity. Let’s create something great together!

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  1. Pingback: Master Technical Documentation: Everything You Need to Succeed

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