documentation types
The characteristics of internal and external documentation types aligned with the product life cycle and their specific content types.
Technical communicators prepare clear, concise and professional communication from product developers to users of the products such as online help, user manuals, white papers, specifications and industrial videos. For this, they analyse products, legal requirements, markets, customers and users. They develop information and media concepts, standards, structures and software tool support. They plan the content creation and media production processes, develop written, graphical, video or other contents, generate media output, release their information products and receive feedback from the users.
Competences and skills
46 ESCO relationsEssential knowledge 9 competences
Occupation specific
0 competencesNo competences in this bucket.
Sector-specific
4 competencesICT software specifications
The characteristics, use and operations of various software products such as computer programmes and application software.
digital
publishing strategy
The methods, rules, media and tools of publishing content from content management systems in single sources or cross media.
digital
visual presentation techniques
The visual representation and interaction techniques, such as histograms, scatter plots, surface plots, tree maps and parallel coordinate plots, that can be used to present abstract numerical and non-numerical data, in order to reinforce the human understanding of this information.
digital
Cross-sector
5 competencescognitive psychology
The human mental processes such as attention, memory, language use, perception, problem solving, creativity and thinking.
content development processes
The specialised techniques used to design, write, compile, edit and organise digital content, such as text, graphics and videos for publishing purposes.
digital
knowledge base
An online library that contains information about a product or service to help customers finding answers to their queries.
digital
multimedia systems
The methods, procedures and techniques pertaining to the operation of multimedia systems, usually a combination of software and hardware, presenting various types of media such as video and audio.
digital
product usage risks analysis
The methods to analyse product associated risks, in possible customer environment, their magnitude, consequences and likely outcomes in order to mitigate them by warning messages, safety instructions and maintenance support.
Essential skills and competences 15 competences
Occupation specific
1 competencedevelop ICT safety information
Create warning messages such as dialog boxes, in-place message, notification or balloon that alerts the user of a condition that might cause a problem in the future and provide safety information according to standards under usage of international signal words.
digital
Sector-specific
4 competencesapply ICT terminology
Use specific ICT terms and vocabulary in a systematic and consistent manner for documentation and communication purposes.
digital
identify ICT user needs
Determine the needs and requirements of ICT users of a specific system by applying analytical methods, such as target group analysis.
digital
integrate content into output media
Compile and integrate media and text content into online and offline systems, such as websites, platforms, applications and social media, for publishing and distribution.
digital
interpret technical texts
Read and understand technical texts that provide information on how to perform a task, usually explained in steps.
Cross-sector
10 competencesapply tools for content development
Use specialised content development tools such as content and terminology management systems, translation memory systems, language checker and editors to generate, compile and transform content according to specified standards.
digital
compile content
Retrieve, select and organise content from specific sources, according to the requirements of the output media such as printed materials, online applications, platforms, websites and video.
conduct content quality assurance
Carry out validation of content by reviewing it according to formal and functional quality, usability and applicable standards.
develop documentation in accordance with legal requirements
Create professionally written content describing products, applications, components, functions or services in compliance with legal requirements and internal or external standards.
gather technical information
Apply systematic research methods and communicate with relevant parties in order to find specific information and evaluate research results to assess the information's relevance, relating technical systems and developments.
manage content metadata
Apply content management methods and procedures to define and use metadata concepts, such as the data of creation, in order to describe, organise and archive content such as documents, video and audio files, applications and images.
digital
manage information sources
Identify relevant internal and external information sources and providers. Organise the information workflow and define information deliverables.
provide technical documentation
Prepare and distribute documentation to ensure all people involved in the production receive relevant and up-to-date information.
provide written content
Communicate information in written form via digital or print media according to the needs of the target group. Structure the content according to specifications and standards. Apply grammar and spelling rules.
structure information
Organise information using systematic methods such as mental models and according to given standards in order to facilitate user information processing and understanding with respect to the specific requirements and characteristics of the output media.
Optional knowledge 7 competences
Occupation specific
0 competencesNo competences in this bucket.
Sector-specific
6 competencesapplication usability
The process through which the learnability, efficiency, usefulness and ease of use of a software application can be defined and measured.
digital
CSS
The computer language CSS is a style sheet language that conveys the presentation of structured documents. These documents have to adhere to style sheets, a set of stylistic rules such as font, color and layout.
digital
ICT help platforms
The platforms for delivering help systems for operating systems.
digital
JSSS
The computer language JSSS is a style sheet language that conveys the presentation of structured documents. These documents have to adhere to style sheets, a set of stylistic rules such as font, color and layout.
digital
LESS
The computer language LESS is a style sheet language that conveys the presentation of structured documents. These documents have to adhere to style sheets, a set of stylistic rules such as font, color and layout.
digital
Sass
The computer language Sass is a style sheet language that conveys the presentation of structured documents. These documents have to adhere to style sheets, a set of stylistic rules such as font, color and layout.
digital
Cross-sector
1 competencestyle sheet languages
The field of computer language that conveys the presentation of structured documents such as Cascading Style Sheets (CSS). These documents have to adhere to style sheets, a set of stylistic rules such as font, color and layout.
digital
Optional skills and competences 15 competences
Occupation specific
1 competenceprovide online help
Provide support information to users delivered through an ICT system to give assistance or present information either on a broad range of subjects or for a specific topic or product.
digital
Sector-specific
4 competencescreate script for artistic production
Develop a script describing the scenes, actions, equipment, content and realisation means for a play, film or broadcast.
manage content development projects
Plan and implement the creation, delivery and management of digital or printed content, develop a system that describes the entire editorial content development and publishing process and use ICT tools to support the process.
digital
provide multimedia content
Develop multimedia materials such as screen shots, graphics, slide shows, animations and videos to be used as content integrated in a broader informational context.
digital
use markup languages
Utilise computer languages that are syntactically distinguishable from the text, to add annotations to a document, specify layout and process types of documents such as HTML.
digital
Cross-sector
10 competencesdesign graphics
Apply a variety of visual techniques in order to design graphic material. Combine graphical elements to communicate concepts and ideas.
- Scope note
- This includes computer graphic design.
identify technological needs
Assess needs and identify digital tools and possible technological responses to address them. Adjust and customise digital environments to personal needs (e.g. accessibility).
digCompdigital
integrate and re-elaborate digital content
Modify, refine, improve and integrate information and content into an existing body of knowledge to create new, original and relevant content and knowledge.
digCompdigital
manage digital documents
Manage various data formats and files by naming, publishing, transforming and sharing files and documents and transforming file formats.
digital
manage localisation
Modify content or a product for the transference from one locale to another through the use of content translation or localisation service providers.
translate requirements into visual design
Develop visual design from given specifications and requirements, based on the analysis of the scope and target audience. Create a visual representation of ideas such as logos, website graphics, digital games and layouts.
digital
use content management system software
Use software that allows publishing, editing and modifying content as well as maintenance from a central interface.
digital
use presentation software
Use software tools to create digital presentations which combine various elements, such as graphs, images, text and other multimedia.
digital
use word processing software
Use computer software applications for composition, editing, formatting, and printing of any sort of written material.
digital
utilise content types
Use MIME types and subtypes as standard identifier to indicate the type of data that a file contains such as the type of link, object, script and style elements and the media type.
digital