Technical communication and technical documentation

Although for centuries people have been writing instructions to explain technological advancements, technical communication only developed as a recognised occupational field in the twentieth century. The expansion of software industries in the 1980s, driven by the exponential increase in business computing and home computer ownership, led to a need for people who could explain technology to lay users. Thus, technical communication became a more recognised occupation. This chapter outlines the features and functions of contemporary technical communication and technical documentation contexts. Although technical communication is a field characterised by diversity, and therefore evades easy definition, our chapter delineates central concepts. In addition to explaining documentation types and writing processes, we also outline traditional skillsets and competencies, including writing, information design, and interviewing. We then explore evolving competencies of technical communicators, such as structured authoring, usability, and knowledge of web 2.0 technologies. The chapter concludes that, despite constant technological shifts, the ability to communicate clearly is central to this field.