This unit describes the competence required from technical communicators who have to plan projects for the development of a technical publication.
Technical communicators have to confirm the objectives of the technical publication, assess its impact on other work, and identify the resources and time scale required for its completion. They have to analyse the design specification, identify the project tasks, and identify any critical factors that need to be taken into account. They can then determine the optimum sequence for achieving the different tasks, and specify the milestones that have to be achieved. They must then select the appropriate work methods for achieving the tasks, and propose them to the appropriate people. Finally, they need to establish project management systems to coordinate all the work, including communication and monitoring.

Assessment Guidance

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	√
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	√

Evidence Guidance

Examples of Evidence:

Direct evidence
- Correspondence, memos, faxes, and e-mail
- Designs
- Documentation management plan
- Estimates
- Organisational records
- Project plans
- Synopsis
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
- Invitations to tender
- Technical specifications

Key words in this unit that can be found in the glossary:

client
information
information systems
people
resources
technical publication

Element 22.1 - Identify the resource and time constraints on a project

You must be able to:

Confirm the objectives and requirements of the client
Obtain full details of the design specification for the technical publication
Assess the impact of the design specification on other work being undertaken
Identify the resources that are available to complete the technical publication
Establish a realistic time scale for the project
Inform all relevant people of the resource and time constraints
Record information on the resource and time constraints in the appropriate information systems

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
Objectives of the client
- what are the different methods for obtaining information on clients
- what are the objectives of different types of client
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
Information systems
- which systems should be used
- why it is important to use the systems correctly

Element 22.2 - Identify project tasks and work methods

You must be able to:

Analyse correctly the design specification for the technical publication
Determine the project tasks that need to be achieved
Identify the potential work methods for achieving the project tasks
Assess the effectiveness of work methods used in similar projects
Establish the advantages and disadvantages of different work methods
Consult with those undertaking the work to identify their requirements and suggestions
Select the most effective work methods to achieve the project tasks
Propose work methods to the relevant people using the appropriate information systems

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
Work methods
- what factors should be taken into account when analysing the design specification
- what are the project tasks that need to be achieved in different types of project
- what are the potential work methods for achieving project tasks
- what is the most effective sequence for completing project tasks
- what is the history of similar projects
- what are the advantages and disadvantage of different work methods
- who should be consulted on the work methods that are to be used

Element 22.3 - Schedule project tasks and milestones

You must be able to:

Confirm the project tasks that need to be achieved
Identify the time and resources required to achieve each of the project tasks
Identify any critical factors that need to be taken into account during the project
Identify the relationship and dependencies between each project task
Determine the optimum sequence for the completion of the project tasks
Highlight the milestones of the project
Present the project plan in an appropriate format to the relevant people

You must be able to apply knowledge of:

Project planning
- what factors should be taken into account when analysing the design specification
- what are the project tasks that need to be achieved in different types of project
- what types of critical factor need to be taken into account during the project
- what is the most effective sequence for completing project tasks
- how to determine the milestones of the project
- what are the different project plan formats that can be used
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
Information systems
- which systems should be used
- why it is important to use the systems correctly

Element 22.4 - Establish management systems to coordinate a project

You must be able to:

Determine the key issues emerging from the project plan
Identify the critical success factors affecting the project
Identify the aspects of the project that require close supervision
Clarify how much information the client requires
Determine the communication and recording systems that are to be used
Establish the frequency of meetings and contact between the people involved in the project
Assess how much supervision different technical communicators require

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
Management systems
- what are the potential key issues that could emerge from the project plan
- what are the typical critical success factors affecting the project
- what are the communication and recording systems that could be used during the project
- what types of meeting are useful, and how often should they be held
- how much supervision do different technical communicators require

© Copyright of material on this website remains with the authors and enquiries about reproduction or reuse should be directed to the ISTC Office.
Comments on this site should be sent to the Webmaster.