IMPORTANCE OF

TECHNICAL
COMMUNICATIO
N
ABSTRACT
 Technical communication is a central factor in the emerging
technical society and business organization. It is designed to
inform and instruct the audience with a specific purpose. The
success of any business organization largely depends on the
technical communication. The functional purpose of technical
communication cannot be over emphasized, the purpose is not to
entertain but to inform. It facilitates the growth and development
of technology and makes consumer goods more convenient. It is
an extension of interpersonal skills. Technocrats need to have a
sound technical communication skill in today’s scenario.
Research studies have concluded that excellent communication
skills is extremely important for engineers and technocrats.
INTRODUCTION

 “It is rightly said that, your knowledge is only as good and

valuable, as your ability to communicate it to someone else”.
This is so because the best ideas in the world are useless, they
can be communicated to others. Communication does not only
means ‘reception’ but also understanding of the information
conveyed.
 Here it is relevant to quote, IAN M. Ross, President, AT & T Bell
laboratories, Holmdel, New Jersey, who states that “ The ability to
speak and write clearly is not only important to the
communication of technical concepts, it is an essential part of the
innovation process itself. Translating an idea into the written word
is one of the better ways of validating the soundness of one’s
thinking.”
WHAT IS TECHNICAL
COMMUNICATION ?
Technical communication is a broad expansive field and technical writing is diverse, it
includes many different types of correspondence made by different people for different
reasons. Technical communication is a part of almost every job. Technical communication
uses a number of platforms to transmit information to an audience. It may be defined as
‘Technical communication is the process of transmitting facts and information to a defined
audience for a specific purpose’. One more way of defining technical communication is by
differentiating it with other forms of writing. If we compare Technical Writing with other
forms of writing like the expressive writing, journalistic writing or creative literature, we
observe that in all these type of writing, the audience is expected to read this kinds of
writing however the writer and readers are often detached and disconnected either by time
or location. They are not involved in a dialogue. However technical writing is different. Its
purpose is not to entertain. It is designed to instruct or inform an audience with a specific
goal in mind. It requires a follow-up action. For instance if you write a memo, you expect a
response, you write a letter , you expect an answer to your enquiry or so to say that you
write a user manual, you know that someone will follow the instructions. In Technical
communication the detachment between the writer and reader does not exist, on the
contrary the purpose is to link you and your boss, your clients, your co-workers, your
venders etc.
THE HISTORY OF TECHNICAL
COMMUNICATION
 Technical communication is not a recent activity, it dates back to
the earliest recorded language. We know that our ancient
civilization used to draw pictures and carvings on the walls of the
caves to depict their ways of hunting and other activities.
Through them we came to learn about their civilization and
history to an extent. This may be taken as the earliest form of
technical communication
PURPOSE OF TECHNICAL
COMMUNICATION
 Today, We are surrounded by technical information. Right from two lines instruction on the frozen-food
carton, instructions on a soft drink can to the lengthy user and instruction manuals, reports, proposals, all
are a part of Technical communication. The basic purpose of Technical Communication is to make
information more clear and understandable so as to make the business more productive and consumer
goods more convenient. The purpose also is to help to enhance the economy by facilitating research and
development by Safe guarding designs and manufacturing, protecting consumers through accurate and
informative documents etc. The purpose of Technical Communication may be to describe, persuade,
explain, inform or record the action or information. At times it may have multiple purpose . The purpose of
Technical Writing is often determined by the audience which in turn effects the tone of the technical
communication. In fact understanding the inter relationship among purpose, audience and tone is essential
to effective technical writing. The audience in any type of technical correspondence is the intended or the
potential reader or readers. In effective technical communication, audience recognition is one of the most
important concerns of the writer to plan, write and review a document. Technical writers mould their
writings to meet the needs, background and interest of their prospective readers. The audience in technical
communication comprises of managers, bosses, colleagues, coworkers, customers and clients i.e. the
general public who are the end user of the products. Let us assume that, you are an employee and you
have to write monthly sales report to your immediate boss. You do this every month and your report goes to
the same person every time, who reads it and put the record in file for future reference. With this ongoing
activity, you know that the purpose of your report is to document and your goal is to furnish data and
nothing else. You also know that your audience that is your boss is technically fluent. With the purpose and
the audience you write an objective report which is dry and impersonal in tone. Thus the knowledge of your
purpose and audience decides the tone of your communications.
IMPORTANCE OF TECHNICAL
COMMUNICATION
 The importance of Technical communication in the current global
scenario cannot be over emphasized. It has become integral to
the development and enhancement of business and technology.
TECHNICAL COMMUNICATION
CONDUCTS BUSINESS
 Technical communication is a major work component in today’s environment.
The survival of organizations to a large extent depends on the formal and
technical correspondence done on a routine basis with the customers,
suppliers, bankers, lawyers, vendors and government agencies. This
correspondence also facilitates to create the image and brand of the
company or the organizations. The success or failure of an organization
depends on its formal correspondence and technical writing as well. The
technical communication helps the organization to plan, manage and
organize business activities. It helps to promote sales and enhance the
business. Trough effective technical communication, you maintain good
costumer client relationship, directive memos, letters, ensure that a work is
completed on time. Reports provide documentation that work has been done.
Sales letters generate income . Technical writing also keeps machinery
working (maintenance, instructions, it ensures that correct equipment are
purchase (technical descriptions), it gets you jobs (resumes, it inform the
world about your company’s product through websites etc.)
TECHNICAL COMMUNICATION
CONSUMES TIME AND COST
MONEY
 Recent researches have proved that on an average and average employee spends
approximately 20% of his work time on technical communication. As you move
higher the order, employees spend more time on technical communication which
may range from 50 % to 90% . Twenty percent is just a base figure. Corporate
bosses and supervisors spend more time not only on technical writing but also
spends additional time reviewing and revising the writings composed by
subordinates. However, even if we consider only 20% of the time spend on technical
communication, that comes to an average of one complete working day in a working
week. Time is money that means you are been paid 20% of your salary for your
technical communication skills. If an employee fails at effective technical
communication skills, the company suffers financially and the employee will soon
have to look for a new job because he would be found incompetent to work. If an
employee does not write clearly an effectively the readers are confused and they
will again seek further explanation. This results in the wastage of time and you are
been paid for the time you give at your work place. The wasted time cost the
company. Good communication has additional monitory value other than the salary
and the cost of correspondence. If you write clearly, the readers get right on the job
and the job is done effectively
TECHNICAL COMMUNICATION IS
AN EXTENSION OF YOUR INTER
PERSONAL SKILLS
 “I will pay more for the ability to deal with people than for any other
ability under the sun” (JOHN D. ROCKEFELLER) This is a very relevant
remark about the interpersonal skills. In business most problems are
peoples problem. When we solve the people problems our business
problems are substantially resolved. Technical communication is the
extension of such interpersonal skills which are required and very integral
in today’s working scenario. When you write a memo or a letter or a
report you are not just communicating information you are also revealing
something about your interpersonal skills. If you communicate properly
you tell your audience that you are capable of thinking logically and
effectively. Through your technical communication your competence is
also judged. Through good technical communication you also reveal to
your audience that you can tell people what to do and how to do besides
motivating them to do it.
IMPORTANC OF TECHNICAL SKILLS
FOR TECHNOCRATS
 Engineers need to have a very sound Technical Communications
Skills. They should be able express their ideas in a clear, succinct
and lucid manner. Sound technical skills is very important for
technocrats. One of the main objective of technical
communication is to provide organized information which in turn
facilitates quick decision making. Research studies have
concluded that excellent communication skills is extremely
important for engineers and technocrats. Studies have also
concluded that problem solving Is considered to be the most
important skills, but secondary to them are team work,
communication and management skills. Effective technical
communication skills assists for technocrats in utilizing various
visual aids like graphics, drawings, charts, diagrams, images etc.
CONCLUSION

 The fast developing and growing technical know-how complemented

with development of sophisticated information technology has
changed the way we communicate in professional situation. There is
literally an explosion of knowledge and technology in the current
scenario, where in, technical communication has become a central
factor and technocrats need to have sound communication skills in
order to be effective. Whether you are an executive working in a
multinational company or an engineer, a scientist or an engineering
students you need to have effective technical communication skill.
Technical communication is integral to effective management. The
whole world has become a global market and the communication of
technology and its implementation is playing a major role in the
economic growth and development. The success of technology also
depend majorly on the ability to analyse , organize and to present the
information.