National Occupational Standards
- Element 18.1 - Obtain advice and information
relating to a technical publication
- Element 18.2 - Provide advice and information
relating to a technical publication
This unit describes the competence required from technical communicators
when exchanging information on a technical publication. Technical communicators
either obtain or provide advice and information on technical publications.
They must clarify the advice and information that is required, identify how
this can best be obtained, and ensure it is obtained or provided in the agreed
time.
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 |
|
|
|
direct observation of the candidate by the assessor |
x |
outputs (eg publications) produced by the candidate in their normal activities |
√ |
outputs (eg publications) produced by the candidate as special exercises |
x |
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, memos, faxes, and e-mail
- Information obtained from others
- Information passed to others
- Information recorded and stored
- Organisational records
- Supplementary evidence
- Correspondence, memos, faxes, and e-mail
- Design specification for technical publication
- Designs produced by others
Key words in this unit that can be found in the glossary:
- information
- information systems
- people
- technical publication
You must be able to:
- Specify clearly the advice and information that is required
- Identify the appropriate people who can provide the advice and information
- Identify and comply with any procedures for contacting the people who
are providing the advice and information
- Ensure the people are clearly briefed on the request for advice and information
- Agree a realistic time scale for obtaining the advice and information
- Identify any problems with the advice and information and take appropriate
action to resolve them
- Record the advice and information that has been obtained in the appropriate
information systems
You must be able to apply knowledge of:
- People
- who are the people that need to be contacted
- what are the procedures for contacting people
- what are the normal priorities of people
- Obtaining advice and information
- what factors affect the time scale for obtaining advice and information
- what types of problem could occur when obtaining advice and information
- Information systems
- which systems should be used
- why it is important to use the systems correctly
You must be able to:
- Clarify and confirm the advice and information that is required
- Identify and comply with any procedures for contacting the people who
are requesting the advice and information
- Agree a realistic time scale for providing the advice and information
- Provide advice and information according to the agreed time scale and
procedures
- Identify any problems with the advice and information and take appropriate
action to resolve them
- Record the advice and information that has been provided in the appropriate
information systems
You must be able to apply knowledge of:
- People
- who are the people that need to be contacted
- what are the procedures for contacting people
- what are the normal priorities of people
- Providing advice and information
- what factors affect the time scale for providing advice and information
- what types of problem could occur when providing advice and 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 |
