Scribd
Upload
56 views1 page

Technical Documentation: Overwhelmed by The Technical Documentation Process? It's

Good technical documentation requires both subject matter expertise and professional writing skills to translate complex information into easily understood content for end-users. While many companies have subject matter experts, they may lack professional technical writers. Outsourcing documentation to an expert can help companies meet demands. For companies tackling documentation internally, the process involves planning, drafting, reviewing, revising, editing, and publishing content, then maintaining it regularly to ensure accuracy. Outsourcing documentation support can help reduce risks and costs while improving quality.

Uploaded by

dereje
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
56 views1 page

Technical Documentation: Overwhelmed by The Technical Documentation Process? It's

Good technical documentation requires both subject matter expertise and professional writing skills to translate complex information into easily understood content for end-users. While many companies have subject matter experts, they may lack professional technical writers. Outsourcing documentation to an expert can help companies meet demands. For companies tackling documentation internally, the process involves planning, drafting, reviewing, revising, editing, and publishing content, then maintaining it regularly to ensure accuracy. Outsourcing documentation support can help reduce risks and costs while improving quality.

Uploaded by

dereje
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 1

Good technical documentation doesn’t just happen.

Producing professional content that's both


technically accurate and user-friendly is a highly specific skill. While many companies have
subject matter experts (SMEs) in-house, they may not have a professional writer on staff who
can translate complicated product knowledge into content that's easily understood by the end-
user. 

Many medical device companies lack the internal resources to meet technical documentation


demands, so they outsource this function to a technical writing expert.

If your company decides to tackle documentation on your own, here are six important steps to
take in the process:

1. Planning. Know the purpose and scope of the project before you begin. This may seem
obvious, but spending time up front can reduce the actual writing time as well as head off
costly, significant changes during the project.  Be sure to identify goals, existing
resources (internal, contract or outsourcing), style guides, deadlines, costs, and final
deliverables.

2.  Drafting. Start with a high-level outline on all topics to be covered. Then, begin
gathering the specific content and supporting graphics, making sure to leave placeholders
for any information gaps. When drafting procedures, do a self-review to make sure you
can perform each procedure as you’ve written it. Above all, keep the user in mind. They
must be able to easily understand and navigate through the content.
 
3. Reviewing. Typically, SME formal reviews take place upon completion of a first draft
and a final draft. Depending on the type of content you’re developing, however, you may
want the SME to check individual sections or topics. Where new product information
may still be in flux, leave time for more reviews.
 
4. Revising. Now that your first draft is ready, set up a peer review to test the accuracy.
Again, make sure the content is presented in a way that makes sense for your audience.
 
5. Editing. Turn the document over to the technical editor, who makes sure the language
has a logical flow and the content is complete and consistent. Having a second set of eyes
on the content can increase both the credibility and professionalism of the entire piece.
 
6. Publishing/Maintaining. Once a document is signed-off by its reviewers, it’s ready for
publishing. At this point, the document falls into maintenance status. Documentation
must be reviewed on a regular basis and brought up to date to provide the most complete
and accurate information to the users. For regulated companies, proper maintenance is
critical to avoid warning letters from the FDA.

Overwhelmed by the technical documentation process? It's important,


but we understand that it sometimes
falls down the priority list. That's why we work on a project basis or support staffing model —
we adjust to the needs of your company. Our customized approach to your documentation needs
can help you reduce risk, cut costs, and improve quality.

You might also like