Requirements Engineering: Closing the Gap Between Academic Supply and Industry Demand

In this economic situation, it is imperative that computer science students are well prepared before entering the work force; new graduates must understand what skills the IT industry is seeking.

Winbladh, Kristina. ACM Crossroads (2004). Careers>Workplace>Engineering>Professionalism

Respecting Technical Writers

Technical writers are made up of complex individual personae. As a writer, you are expected to have knowledge of your subject. The more subjects you write about, the more knowledge you gain. (Supposedly.) Not every writer is like that, but most are, and they deserve to be congratulated for going the extra mile and actually learning a product they are going to write about. Most writers maintain knowledge about many systems and subjects, thus becoming an 'expert' in the technical writing field.

Taylor, Vicki M. Suite101 (2001). Careers>Advice>Professionalism

The Resume: Things to Avoid

It’s simple…Don’t lie! Don’t embellish! It’s not only unethical, but eventually you’ll get caught. You may get away with it for a time, but it will catch up with you. Whether technical skills, training, or particular accomplishments, keep it honest. It’ll work better for you.

Tech-Writer. Careers>Resumes>Professionalism

The Role of the Professional Technical Communicator

To meet the challenge of addressing the needs of subject matter experts (SME) and non-experts, alleviating fears, and keeping the public informed requires knowledge of communication theory, subject-matter expertise, and adherence to a code of ethics. A model illustrating the professional technical communicator's knowledge base and relationship with the SME and non-expert is presented.

Gilliland, Gail. Orange Journal, The (2002). Articles>TC>Professionalism>SMEs

The Search for Well-Defined Usability Discipline

The message about usability is reaching general audiences. However, sometimes the message is garbled and sometimes it is overlooked entirely.

Bachmann, Karen L. Usability Interface (2003). Articles>Usability>Professionalism

Shaping the Future of Our Profession    

This article examines the implications of greater professionalism for the future directions of technical communication and the role of academic programs and professional societies in shaping the future of the profession.

Davis, Marjorie T. Technical Communication Online (2001). Articles>TC>Professionalism

Should Designers and Developers Do Usability?

Having a specialized usability person is best, but smaller design teams can still benefit when designers do their own user testing and other usability work.

Nielsen, Jakob. Alertbox (2007). Design>Web Design>Professionalism>Usability

STC Quality PIC Progression  

This progression is sponsored by the STC Quality Professional Interest Committee. Each subgroup within the Quality PIC is sponsoring a discussion table, with additional topics of special interest to technical communicators. These topics have been selected based on their timeliness and practical value to practicing technical communicators.

Fisher, Lori H., Donald S., Lenk, Jr, Ted Dennison, David Robbins, Richard D. Colvin, Connie 'C.J.' Bibus and Ralph E. Robinson. STC Proceedings (1997). Articles>TC>Quality>Professionalism

Surviving Our Success: Three Radical Recommendations    

The world of usability practitioners is undergoing massive changes. I know because I read it in the New York Times.

Spool, Jared M. Journal of Usability Studies (2007). Articles>Usability>Professionalism

Teaching Professionalism in the Classroom    

Looks at what it means to be professional as a technical writer, as a teacher, and as a student and explains how to teach professionalism in the classroom.

Campbell, Alexa. Intercom (2008). Articles>Education>TC>Professionalism

The Technical Communication Knowledge Portal

The STC web-based knowledge portal will make accessible both broad and deep information about the practice of technical communication. It is intended to be the first step in defining a body of knowledge (BOK) for technical communication. The draft site map displayed at the 2008 Summit as “the wall” is a way of organizing the domains of knowledge, skills, and concepts necessary for the practice. The final version of the map will be the initial framework for the knowledge portal.

Dayton, David, Hillary Hart, Michael A. Hughes and Janice C. 'Ginny' Redish. STC Proceedings (2008). Presentations>TC>Professionalism>Body of Knowledge

Technical Communicators - the Need for Categorisation

We all know that products are designed and developed by a variety of experts, such as engineers, programmers, scientists, and designers. And each of these experts belongs to a particular category. For example, engineers are divided into such categories as Mechanical Engineer, Electrical Engineer, or Aeronautical Engineer. Without that categorisation, there is no way that we can possibly know in what field a particular expert specialises. But who creates product documentation?

Curwen, Chris. TC-FORUM (2001). Articles>TC>Professionalism

Technical Writers Code of Professional Practice

As professionals in the communications arts we know that people work better if they have clear expectations of equitable treatment. In order to promote fair standards and encourage professional working relationships, the Technical Writers Trade Group of the National Writers Union presents the following Code of Professional Practice for technical writers in the hardware and software industries.

National Writers Union (1997). Resources>Workplace>Professionalism

Technically, It's All Communication: Defining the Field of Technical Communication

There is a certain need to define the field of technical communication: a definition that we as practicioners and scholars can adapt for different audiences in order to create a clear image. The reasons to create a definition are stronger than the reasoning behind letting our field remain perpetually undefined.

Metz Bemer, Amanda. Orange Journal, The (2005). Articles>TC>Professionalism

Time for Content to Become More Scientific

I'm all for formulaic writing. I love hierarchies and classification. I'm all for measuring content. There is a 'right' way to write content. Sure, it may not be the 'perfect' way, it may not be the way Shakespeare or Joyce would have written it, but it'll do. It'll get results and deliver value. A production line can be set up where this content can be mass produced, tested, and measured.

McGovern, Gerry. User Interface Engineering (2007). Articles>Content Management>Writing>Professionalism

Translating Business Cards: Time and Money Saving Tips

If it is your first time dealing with typesetting foreign language business cards, you may start out thinking it is a simple task. So did we. Later we learned that without proper preparation and accessible information, it can turn out to be a very time consuming job with changes and changes following initial layout and translation. After many trials and errors, we have summarized the lessons we learned here for you.

WTB Language Group (2005). Articles>Business Communication>Professionalism>Localization

Usability: Empiricism or Ideology?

Usability's job is to research user behavior and find out what works. Usability should also defend users' rights and fight for simplicity. Both aspects have their place, and it's important to recognize the difference.

Nielsen, Jakob. Alertbox (2005). Articles>Usability>Professionalism

Usability: Lighting the Path to the Future of Technical Communication

The future of Technical Communication is something that we are all, as either practitioners, academics or students, keenly interested in. What is the future of our chosen discipline? What exactly is it that a practitioner in the field does today? This paper will explain that through examining one sub-discipline of Technical Communication, Usability, we may see an example of the beginnings of a pattern of professional development.

Torrence, Anthony. Orange Journal, The (2003). Articles>TC>Professionalism>Usability

The Value of the Certified Business Analyst Professional (CBAP) Designation

Because the certification has meaning that is fluid and career or personal goals are always changing, I believe it's up to the individual business analyst professional to decide for themselves if certification is right for them based on these factors. If the certification program means upward mobility in their profession or enables an individual to excel at their current job, then it is probably worth the time and cost to undertake a certification program. But I would caution anyone not to cut corners or to cram for the exam to obtain the certification. If they don't see a certification program as a chance to learn, grow and develop their skills and knowledge, then it's probably not worth the investment.

Griffiths, Stephanie. BA Collective (2007). Careers>Certification>Business Communication>Professionalism

Waarom CMS-Systemen Overbodig Zijn

Ik heb mij altijd verbaasd hoe partijen als Vignette, Broadvision en Tridion zo veel geld konden verdienen. Ik was niet echt onder de indruk van de software, en tal van implementaties toonde aan dat er vaak problemen mee gemoeid zijn. Het gaat slecht in de markt van de standaard content management systemen. Kees van Mourik van OoipTech legt zijn vinger op de zere wonde en kijkt vooruit.

van Mourik, Door Kees. de Lijst (2002). (Dutch) Articles>Content Management>Professionalism

We Are All Connected: The Path from Architecture to Information Architecture

Information architecture has a great deal to do with traditional architecture—especially in the ability of each discipline to plan and connect various important elements together.

Chiou, Fu-Tien. Boxes and Arrows (2003). Articles>Information Design>Professionalism

Web Designer -- And Proud of It!

The hardest part of being a professional web designer is telling people what I do for a living. The range of comments I get runs from dismissal of the web as a fad, to the ever popular, 'My fifth-grade son has his own website.' The main reason that job titles like Web GUI Designer or Web Creative get bandied about in the media and professional circles is that the term web designer carries about as much respect as paper boy in today's society.

MacGregor, Chris. List Apart, A (2001). Careers>Web Design>Professionalism

The Web Is Like Canada

Those who 'get' the web create it. Those who do not get the web are put in charge. Joe Clark presents a vision for defending our web against their worst ideas.

Clark, Joe. List Apart, A (2000). Articles>Web Design>Professionalism

What is Our Role as Usability Professionals?

As Usability people we usually tend to focus on making things easier to use. To allow for good usability and an excellent user experience we integrate user centered design methods and standardized usability processes into our daily work. We are used to doing this; we advocate for it day after day; we even try to persuade our clients and the people around us to do the same because we have a strong belief in it. And without question, making things easier to use is an honorable thing to do, because it generally enhances the overall user experience. However, we as Usability Professionals have the potential to reach beyond!

Zimmermann, Silvia. Usability Professionals Association (2007). Careers>Usability>Professionalism