TECHNICAL WRITING

Is the clock ticking on yet another investigation report you need to file?  While reviewing your report, has QA or an external auditor ever asked you, “What did you mean here?” Are you interested in shaving time from your writing process but still producing a clear, thorough report?

Audience

Writers of investigation or incident reports of any kind

Length
Two days (one classroom day, one 45-minute individual writing conference for each participant)

Outcomes
At the end of this course, participants will:

• Anticipate auditors’ questions on investigations.

• Present investigation steps clearly and concisely.

• Write streamlined corrective and preventative actions.

• Document root cause confidently and credibly.

• Use formatting techniques to increase readability.

Do you find writing procedures to be a long, arduous task?  Have you had procedures misinterpreted despite your best efforts?  Are you looking for simple and concise guidelines for writing or updating these important documents?

This course provides the necessary skills for writing clear, consistent, and verifiable procedures.

Audience
Any employee who writes, amends, or updates procedures and work instructions

Length
One day (3 hours group content, 15-minute individual writing conferences with participants)

Outcomes
At the end of this course, participants will:

• Analyze needs from the reader’s point of view.

• Identify and correct eight specific procedure flaws.

• Remove ambiguity and avoid tragic events by using verifiable measurements and precise language.

• Avoid content gaps by using a consistent structure.

• Ensure that steps are clear and complete.

Do you feel limited by your ability to write clear, concise, and readable technical documents?  Would you benefit from a writing-skills upgrade that would make it easier to explain complex technical information?

This course helps you troubleshoot issues through group practice and individual application.  A private one-on-one conference provides insight for your current writing strategies and your future writing tasks.

Audience

Technical writers who create documents for multiple readers with various needs and levels of expertise

Length
One day of group work; 30-minute individual writing conferences on the second day

Outcomes
At the end of this course, participants will: 

• Understand how to meet the needs of different readers.

• Reduce the number of drafts by “mapping” the document online or on paper.

• Apply the strategies learned to ensure clear, easily composed, high-quality documents.

• Choose appropriate content for summaries, conclusions, and recommendations.

• Strengthen logic and create flow with formatting, transitions, and parallel structure.

Is it your turn to summarize a huge report or capture decisions made during a business meeting?  Are you worried about choosing the appropriate content and making the summary concise and clear?

Join us for The Art of the Summary where we turn your self-doubts into self-confidence.

Audience
Business writers at all levels of an organization

Length

Three hours

Outcomes
At the end of this course, participants will: 

• Understand what readers want in a summary.

• Ensure objectivity when deciding content to include.

• Condense lengthy content by answering three logical questions.

• Choose precise language to highlight the core message.

• Learn to listen for key points in a meeting.

Do you want to hit the panic button when you learn you will be writing a standard operating procedure (SOP), company policy, or a best practice?  Do people depend on the clarity of your messages to understand processes, instructions, and employee-related information?

This course provides you with the tools and understanding to complete essential documentation with ease and confidence.  Samples are tailored to match each client’s templates and formats.

Audience
Anyone who writes these documents: SOPs, policies, and best practices

Length
One day OR Two days (one day of group activities, one day of 30-minute individual writing conferences)

Outcomes
At the end of this course, participants will: 

• Understand different purposes, formats, and styles for SOPs, policies, and best practices.

• Avoid errors that delay review-and-approval steps for these three types of documents.

• Use language that is clear, complete, and unambiguous.

• Show logic through short sentences, transitions, and parallel structure.

• Edit for clarity and correctness.