National Occupational Standards
- Element 8.1 - Produce instructions and guidance
for users of a technical publication
- Element 8.2 - Produce title and division pages for
a technical publication
- Element 8.3 - Produce additional materials for a
technical publication
This unit describes the competence required from technical communicators
when producing supplementary components for a technical publication, such
as instructions and guidance, title pages, division pages, and other additional
materials. Technical communicators have to produce these components by confirming
the purpose and scope of the technical publication, and selecting the most
appropriate designs, including the content, style, and materials. The designs
then have to be confirmed with the client.
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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|
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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
- Additional materials
- Correspondence with the client
- Instructions and guidance for users
- Notes on the designs
- Organisational records
- Title and division pages
- Supplementary evidence
- Contract/order notes/job sheet
- Correspondence, memos, faxes, and e-mail
- Design specification for technical publication
- Information notes provided by the client
- Technical specifications
Key words in this unit that can be found in the glossary:
- additional material
- client
- components of the technical publication
- content
- designs
- information
- instructions and guidance
- page
- style
- technical publication
- users
You must be able to:
- Confirm the purpose and scope of the technical publication
- Identify the significant features and characteristics of the technical
publication
- Select the most appropriate design for the instructions and guidance
- Apply the appropriate methods for compiling the instructions and guidance
- Identify the correct references to be used in the instructions and guidance
- Format the instructions and guidance correctly
- Incorporate the instructions and guidance into the technical publication
You must be able to apply knowledge of:
- Instructions and guidance
- what are the requirements of different types of user
- what types of instructions and guidance could be used
- what are the methods for compiling instructions and guidance
You must be able to:
- Collate information on the structure and components of the technical publication
- Ensure the correct names and acknowledgements are used on the pages
- Select the content, style, and materials used in the title and division
pages
- Confirm the design of the title and division pages with the client
- Format the title and division pages correctly
- Incorporate the title and division pages into the technical publication
You must be able to apply knowledge of:
- Title and division pages
- what types of title and division pages could be used
- what types of information should be included on the pages
- why it is important that the correct acknowledgements are used
- what are the designs that could be used
You must be able to:
- Confirm the purpose and scope of the technical publication
- Identify the additional materials that will help achieve the objectives
of the technical publication
- Select the content, style, and materials to be used
- Confirm the design of the additional materials with the client
- Produce the additional materials correctly
- Incorporate the additional materials into the technical publication
You must be able to apply knowledge of:
- Additional materials
- how the objectives of the technical publication can be enhanced with
the use of additional materials
- what types of additional material could be used
- what are the methods for producing the additional materials
© Crown Copyright, 1999,
© Publishing Training Centre, 1999,
© ISTC, The Institute of Scientific and Technical Communicators, 1999 |
