National Occupational Standards
- Element 14.1 - Establish the current status
of an existing technical publication
- Element 14.2 - Identify the objectives of a
new version
- Element 14.3 - Integrate components in a new
version
- Element 14.4 - Provide information on a new
version
This unit describes the competence required from technical communicators
when coordinating the development of a new version of an existing technical
publication. Technical communicators have to establish the current status
of the technical publication by reviewing its objectives and considering how
it has been used. They can then assess the feasibility of producing a new
version, and confirm any additional requirements. Technical communicators
must then clearly identify the objectives of the new version, and determine
the revisions and new components that are needed. These then have to be integrated
into the existing technical publication, and new drafts developed. Finally,
it is important that information on the new version is provided to users.
Evidence Requirements
Evidence of performance and knowledge is required. Evidence of performance
should be demonstrated by activities and outcomes, and should be generated
during the course of normal activities, unless indicated under Assessment
Methods (see below). Evidence of knowledge can be demonstrated through performance
or by responding to questions. A variety of assessment methods can be used
(see below).
Quantity and scope of evidence:
Evidence should show that the candidate can undertake this unit consistently
over a suitable period. The number of times, or the amount of experience,
cannot be specified in detail. However, it is important that the candidate
provides performance evidence of having undertaken this unit a minimum of
two times. Further guidance will be developed during the implementation of
the qualifications.
Assessment methods:
A number of assessment methods are listed below. The ticks and crosses indicate
which methods are or are not recommended. However, these are recommendations,
and this is not a list of sanctioned or prohibited methods: it is up to individual
assessors to determine which assessment methods are suitable in individual
cases. In addition, other assessment methods might be appropriate. Further
guidance will be developed during the implementation of the qualifications.
Recommended Assessment Methods |
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direct observation of the candidate by the assessor |
√ |
outputs (eg publications) produced by the candidate in their normal activities |
√ |
outputs (eg publications) produced by the candidate as special exercises |
√ |
supporting documents (eg memos, notes, correspondence) |
√ |
responses to questions from the assessor |
√ |
written answers to questions |
√ |
testimony of others who have witnessed the candidate achieving the standards |
√ |
Evidence Guidance
Examples of Evidence:
- Direct evidence
- Correspondence with the client
- Designs
- Drafts of new versions of technical publications
- New versions of technical publications
- Notes on the designs
- Organisational records
- Supplementary evidence
- Budgets and other financial information
- Contract/order notes/job sheet
- Correspondence, memos, faxes, and e-mail
- Design specification for technical publication
- Information notes provided by the client
- Requests for revisions
- Technical specifications
Key words in this unit that can be found in the glossary:
- client
- components of the technical publication
- designs
- information
- information systems
- output media
- people
- resources
- revision
- style
- technical publication
- users
You must be able to:
- Obtain the correct version of the technical publication
- Confirm the objectives of the technical publication
- Identify whether the information contained in the technical publication
is accurate and up to date
- Assess how much and the way in which the technical publication is used
- Assess the feasibility and effectiveness of developing a new version of
the technical publication
- Confirm the requirements for a new version with the appropriate people
You must be able to apply knowledge of:
- Current status of technical publications
- how to ensure the correct version of a technical publication is obtained
- what are the methods for identifying the accuracy of the information
contained in a technical publication
- what is the normal level of use of different types of technical publication
- what factors should be taken into account when assessing the feasibility
of a new version
- who should be consulted on the requirements for a new version
You must be able to:
- Specify the overall objectives of the new version of the technical publication
- Identify the resources required to develop a new version of the technical
publication
- Identify clearly the revisions that are needed in the technical publication
- Determine the most effective components of the technical publication and
output media for integrating the revisions
- Establish how the revisions relate to the rest of the technical publication
- Identify any health and safety requirements that need to be incorporated
- Identify any problems with the introduction of the new version
- Review the design of the new version with the relevant people
You must be able to apply knowledge of:
- New versions of technical publications
- how to use components and output media to integrate revisions into
the technical publication
- what types of problem can occur with the introduction of a new version
- why it is important to ensure health and safety requirements are implemented
- who should review the design of the new version
- Resources and time scale for completion of technical publications
- what resources are typically required for different types of technical
publication
- what are the procedures and methods for assessing them
- what factors should be taken into account when assessing them
You must be able to:
- Obtain feedback on any new components of the technical publication from
the appropriate people
- Review the original and new components in the context of a new version
- Identify any revisions required to the original and new components
- Identify and recommend revisions to the technical publication to support
the inclusion of the original and new components
- Revise the original and new components to meet the requirements of the
client
- Provide drafts of the new version to the relevant people according to
the agreed time scale
You must be able to apply knowledge of:
- Components of the technical publication
- which components could be used
- how the different components should relate to each other
- how the components should be structured within a technical publication
- New versions of technical publications
- how to use components and output media to integrate revisions into
the technical publication
- what types of problem can occur with the introduction of new versions
- who should review the design of the new version
You must be able to:
- Identify the users of the information on the new version
- Establish the type and level of detail to be included in the information
- Provide a sufficient amount of information to assist users of the new
version
- Provide information in the appropriate format and style to assist users
effectively
- Record and protect the information in the appropriate information systems
- Provide information to the relevant people according to the agreed time
scale
You must be able to apply knowledge of:
- Information on new versions
- who is likely to require information on a new version
- how much information do different types of user require
- what are the methods for obtaining feedback on the effectiveness of
the information
- Information systems
- which systems should be used
- why it is important to use the systems correctly
© Crown Copyright, 1999,
© Publishing Training Centre, 1999,
© ISTC, The Institute of Scientific and Technical Communicators, 1999 |
