Corporate downsizing: opportunity for a new partnership between engineers and technical writers

Abstract

Roles are changing in the leaner, meaner high tech workplace. Downsized companies have fewer people to do the same amount of work, and those who remain need to pick up many of the tasks that others used to perform. Engineers and technical writers need to broaden their skill bases in order to survive in today's competitive environment. Engineers need to expand their technical skill sets to include communication skills. Technical writers need to add human factors and training to their skill sets. The paper describes how technical writers can help engineers cope with documentation tasks assigned to them and, in the process, broaden the skills of both writers and engineers to make them more competitive in the workforce. Acting as partners in the documentation process, engineers and technical writers can work together to produce documentation with greater technical accuracy and usability than would have been possible had they been working separately in their traditional specialized roles.