In technical communication, we always think of our audiences as users who interact with our documents to
Question:
In technical communication, we always think of our audiences as users who interact with our documents to do something: solve a problem, learn to use a tool or feature, etc. The first step in creating effective technical documentation is to identify as specifically as possible who your users are and what they need. For example, are you documenting your Application Programming Interface (API) for other development teams within the company? How about other developers outside the company? There is a huge difference between the two in terms of what you can assume the audience knows about your internal processes and what company data you can share and what you cannot. Another option is that you're writing documentation for the end user. Are your users typically computer-savvy? Novices?
While in this short module, we do not have the time to conduct a robust research and gather detailed user data to build user profiles and personas. You will assume many things about your hypothetical audiences. The key objective is to develop a habit of a user-centered approach to documentation.
Write a min 250 words analysis of your target audience (a user profile, if you'd like). Use the following questions as a guide
Wikihow provides this AUDIENCE acronym:
- Analysis – Who is the audience? (for example: end-users, Internal teams /fellow developers, new hires, administrators/),
- Understanding – What is the audience’s knowledge of the subject and the potential expert language?
- Demographics – What is their age, gender, education background, language, and (dis)ability
- Interest – Why are they reading your document? What problem are they trying to solve?
- Environment – Where will they view your video? (in terms of the device but also the physical environment
- Needs – What are the audience’s needs associated with your document topic? What is their attitude towards the topic? Are they likely to be interested, excited?
- Customization – What specific needs/interests should you the writer address relating to the specific audience?
- Expectations – What does the audience expect to learn from your document? The audience should walk away having their initial questions answered and explained.
Operations management processes and supply chain
ISBN: 978-0136065760
9th edition
Authors: Lee J Krajewski, Larry P Ritzman, Manoj K Malhotra