Writing Effective Technical Documents
This one day workshop introduces key principles of technical writing. Delegates are provided with practical tools to help them write documents that communicate effectively.
Description
Technically trained people frequently complain about having to write reports and other documents. But effective communication is essential to success in the workplace.
In the course of your career you could find yourself writing any number of reports, including:
- procurement documentation
- proposals
- maintenance manuals
- specifications
- determinations on contractual claims.
In addition to these longer reports, much of your day-to-day communication will be in writing – in the form of emails.
It’s not surprising that many technically trained people are reluctant to write reports. Writing and engineering are different processes. For example:
- Different thought processes are involved
- Technical writing doesn’t always have straightforward rules
- Technical writing relies on words rather than diagrams or formulae.
This one day workshop introduces key principles of technical writing. Delegates are provided with practical tools to help them write documents that communicate effectively.
Learning outcomes
Delegates who have attended this workshop should:
- See an immediate improvement in the quality of their writing.
- Understand the importance of writing clearly and concisely.
- Recognise their own difficulties with writing.
- Recognise and correct common flaws.
- Gain the skills required to plan and write clear, concise reports.
Course outline
Topics covered in this workshop include:
Principles of technical writing
- What makes a good report?
- What makes a poor report?
- The importance of reader rapport.
- Identifying your writing blocks.
Planning your report
- Identifying your reader.
- Deciding what information to include.
- Deciding what order to present the information in.
- Choosing a format for your document.
- Mind mapping and other planning techniques.
Writing your report
- Graphs, Charts, Figures and Diagrams
- Paragraphs.
- Sentences.
- Bullets and numbering.
- Vocabulary including clichés, grandiose terms, redundancy, technical terms and jargon.
Practical workshop
This workshop is practical and hands-on. Delegates are given useful tools which they can immediately apply in the work-place. The presenter will lead delegates through the process of writing a report and will identify common mistakes at each stage of the process. Delegates will receive comprehensive notes which include:
- lists of common mistakes
- lists of problematic terms
- checklists
- practical exercises.
Presenter information
Gigi Fenster
Gigi Fenster studied law in South Africa, where she was a founder member of the Construction Industry Development Board, a lecturer on the Association of Arbitrator’s Construction Law course, and a provider of training to the construction industry. For the past ten years she has lived in New Zealand, and has worked in government and in the polytechnic sector teaching (building) law. Gigi has taught law for more than twenty years and has written training courses, manuals and seminar notes for the construction and other industries. She provides on going consulting services to private firms and government. Gigi has a particular interest in international engineering contracts and the FIDIC contracts in particular. She has provided training on FIDIC in various countries in Africa, Asia and the Pacific.
Course Feedback
“Fantastic presenter, very approachable and knowledgeable. Thanks.”
“I would recommend this course to people who lack experience or confidence with report writing.”
“Would be a good course to recommend to those completing tender submissions.”