National Occupational Standards
- Element 20.1 - Offer ideas to support the design
of a technical publication
- Element 20.2 - Propose design solutions for
technical publications
This unit describes the competence required from technical communicators
who are in a position to contribute to the design of a technical publication,
ie they are not leading its development. Technical communicators have to encourage
others to request their views, and then ensure they provide critical positive
feedback on any designs they are shown. They should propose design solutions
that are feasible, and identify the resources required to implement them.
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 |
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
- Designs
- 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
- Design specification for technical publication
- Designs produced by others
- Technical specifications
Key words in this unit that can be found in the glossary:
- client
- designs
- information
- output media
- resources
- style
- technical publication
You must be able to:
- Confirm that a clear design specification exists
- Establish responsibility for the design of the technical publication
- Encourage colleagues to request ideas for designs and respond to them
as soon as practicable
- Provide ideas that are feasible and contribute to the achievement of the
design specification
- Identify existing and new solutions to achieve the design specification
- Offer suitable assistance to develop ideas
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
- Offering ideas
- what methods can be used for encouraging colleagues to request ideas
- how to assess the feasibility of ideas
- what factors affect the feasibility of different ideas
- what are the resources that are required to develop ideas
- what are the previous solutions for achieving similar design specifications
You must be able to:
- Clarify the problems relating to the design of the technical publication
- Identify the most appropriate methods for resolving problems
- Identify the critical factors that affect the success of any design solution
- Identify design solutions that are feasible
- Identify the resources required to implement the design solutions
- Establish the most suitable format and style for providing design solutions
- Present a clear rationale for the design solutions and support it with
suitable evidence
- Obtain feedback on the results of any recommendations
You must be able to apply knowledge of:
- Designs
- how many should be produced
- 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
- how to assess the advantages and disadvantages of different designs
- Recommendations
- how to present recommendations to different types of client
- how much information is required by different types of client
- how to obtain feedback on the results of the recommendations
- Design solutions
- what types of problem can occur in the design of a technical publication
- what factors need to be taken into account when determining the feasibility
of design solutions
- what are the typical reasons for selecting particular design solutions
© Crown Copyright, 1999,
© Publishing Training Centre, 1999,
© ISTC, The Institute of Scientific and Technical Communicators, 1999 |
