BeginnerTopic 6 of 102Manufacturing, Robotics & Systems
Technical communication
Clear reports, drawings and presentations convey designs.
In depth
Engineers write reports, specifications, drawings and emails, and present to technical and non-technical audiences. Principles: know the audience, structure (executive summary, method, results, conclusions), clear figures with labelled axes and units, concise language, documentation for traceability.
Key points
- Visual communication
- Peer review
- Version control of documents
ExampleA good test report states objective, method, data, uncertainty and recommendations.
What is Technical communication?
Clear reports, drawings and presentations convey designs.
Why is it important to understand technical communication?
Clear communication turns a design into something others can build, check and approve, so poor writing causes real costs.
What makes a technical report clear?
A clear purpose, a logical structure, precise numbers with units, and conclusions that follow from the evidence.
How do I present to non-engineers?
Start with the conclusion and the decision needed, use simple visuals, and explain only the technical detail that affects the choice.
How is Technical communication used in practice?
Typical applications include writing a test report that a client can use to approve a product, preparing a drawing that a machinist can follow without questions and presenting a design option to managers who must choose between alternatives.
What should I learn before Technical communication?
Study "Codes, standards and regulations" first (topic 5 of 102 in Manufacturing, Robotics & Systems). It covers the groundwork this topic builds on.
What are the key points of Technical communication?
Visual communication. Peer review. Version control of documents.
Can you give an example of Technical communication?
A good test report states objective, method, data, uncertainty and recommendations.
What comes after Technical communication?
The next topic is "Teamwork and project roles", which builds directly on this one.
How difficult is Technical communication?
It is classed as Beginner in Manufacturing, Robotics & Systems (topic 6 of 102). It is an entry-level topic. It relies only on basic school mathematics and the ideas introduced earlier in this discipline.