National Occupational Standards
- Element 2.1 - Propose designs for a technical
publication
- Element 2.2 - Propose production methods for
a technical publication
- Element 2.3 - Present recommendations for a
technical publication to a client
- Element 2.4 - Agree the resources and time available
for producing a technical publication
This unit describes the competence required from technical communicators
when proposing a technical publication to a client. Technical communicators
must propose designs for a technical publication, including ideas on the output
media and the page components. The proposal should identify the advantages
and disadvantages of each design. Technical communicators must then be able
to propose the production methods that are suitable, including electronic
or paper formats. Having made proposals, technical communicators then have
to make a recommendation, weighing up the advantages and disadvantages, and
providing the client with a preferred design. Finally, technical communicators
must agree the resources and time available for progressing the work.
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 |
x |
testimony of others who have witnessed the candidate achieving the standards |
x |
Evidence Guidance
Examples of Evidence:
- Direct evidence
- Correspondence with the client
- Design specification for technical publication
- Designs
- Estimates
- Notes on the designs
- Organisational records
- Recommendations
- Supplementary evidence
- Budgets and other financial information
- Contract/order notes/job sheet
- Correspondence, memos, faxes, and e-mail
- 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
- production methods
- resources
- technical publication
You must be able to:
- Ensure a complete design specification exists for the technical publication
- Clarify any aspects of the design specification that are unclear
- Create a range of suitable designs for the client to consider
- Ensure health and safety issues are implemented in the designs
- Identify the advantages and disadvantages of the different designs
- Explore the output media that could be used
- Provide relevant examples of the designs
- Inform the client of any variations from the design specification and
provide a rationale for them
- Protect and copy the designs to ensure they are safe
You must be able to apply knowledge of:
- Design specifications
- what is normally included in a design specification
- what are the procedures for obtaining a design specification
- Designs
- how many should be created
- what are the different types of output media that could be used
- why it is important to provide suitable examples of designs for the
client
- why it is important to ensure health and safety issues are implemented
- how to assess the advantages and disadvantages of different designs
- Protecting and copying designs
- what are the procedures that should be used
- what are the possible consequences of not following the procedures
You must be able to:
- Identify the production methods that could be used for the designs
- Identify the advantages and disadvantages of using different production
methods
- Consult with all relevant people on the selection of the production methods
- Select the optimum production methods
- Ensure all relevant people are informed of the selected production methods
You must be able to apply knowledge of:
- Production methods
- which are suitable for different types of technical publication
- what are the resources and time required for them
- how to assess the advantages, disadvantages, costs and benefits
- Relevant people
- who should be consulted or informed
- why they need to be consulted or informed
You must be able to:
- Agree the ways in which the client can assess the designs
- Present clearly the advantages and disadvantages of the different designs
- Clarify any differences of interpretation or understanding relating to
the designs
- Identify any health and safety issues that need to be implemented in the
designs
- Provide clear recommendations for a preferred design for the client to
consider
- Provide sufficient information to enable the client to assess the recommendations
- Obtain feedback on the results of the recommendations
- Agree any changes to the design specification according to organisational
procedures
You must be able to apply knowledge of:
- Recommendations
- how to present recommendations to different types of client
- why it is important to ensure health and safety issues are implemented
- how much information is required by different types of client
- how to obtain feedback on the results of the recommendations
- Changes to design specifications
- what are the consequences of a client changing the design specification
- what types of change could be suggested
- what are the organisational procedures for changing a design specification
You must be able to:
- Calculate the resources and time scale required for the production of
the technical publication
- Ensure clear price estimates for technical publications are provided to
the client
- Agree the budget and rate of expenditure with the client
- Establish priorities for completing different components of the technical
publication
- Obtain any necessary approvals for the design work to proceed
- Record the budget information in the appropriate information systems
You must be able to apply knowledge of:
- Resources and time scale for production of the technical publication
- 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
- Priorities
- which components are dependent upon the completion of other work
- which components are most important
- Budgets and quotations
- what are the procedures for establishing a budget
- what are the procedures for providing price estimates to clients
- 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 |
