Characteristics of a Good Technical Document

The intended audience must always be kept in mind for a technical document to serve its purpose. Firstly, technical communication professionals should always consider the audience’s comprehension capabilities in terms of language, knowledge and concepts. As a rule, simple words are ideally used in the documentation to suit all levels of comprehension. However, technical terminologies must be defined in a clear manner. Also, consistent use of terminologies helps avoid confusion. Additionally, a good document should have a writing style that is appropriate for the intended audience. Concepts should also be introduced in the document in a clear and logical manner without overwhelming the audience. Lastly, the document must have complete, detailed instructions that actually work.