Introduction
The technical writing process is a step-by-step guide to writing a technical document. If you are an absolute beginner in technical writing, and about to write a technical document, follow these steps to guide you from planning to publishing.
1. Planning Stage: Planning is the first and crucial step. Good planning is associated with a sound published document. Three key points to consider during the planning stage are:
Purpose: Purpose asked the question “Why?”. Ask yourself, what is the purpose of writing this document?
Scope: Scope asked the question “What?”. What do you want to write about?
Audience: Pay attention to your audience. The audience asked the question “Who?”. Who are you writing the document for?
2. Research and Learn: Research for data or information about your document. Read and learn about the information you have researched. You need to have a solid knowledge of your subject matter.
3. Edit and Write: Edit your gathered information in a structured format. Write in a clean, clear, and concise manner. The audience should find your document easy to read and understand.
4. Edit and Review: Edit your document again. Check for incorrect grammar, misaligned paragraphs, and omitted punctuation. Review your document from the planning stage to the edit-and-write stage.
5. Publish: Choose a platform easily accessible to your targeted audience and publish your document.
Closing thoughts
A brief introduction to the technical writing process and the basic steps were introduced to the reader. Use this article as a guide, to writing and publishing your first technical document.
I am Umar Shehu, a passionate technical writer and documentation engineer. I use my 3Cs (clean, clean, and concise) format, to reach my targeted audience.
