Technical Writing Workshops
Industry: Computer Hardware
The Need
Management of a leading disk drive manufacturer was concerned about the lack of focus, structure, and clarity in its employees’ internal written communications. The employees typically wrote emails, informal reports, and formal white papers that were addressed to and read by their colleagues. The problem was that, in almost all cases, employees were not able to understand the importance of each others’ messages. The messages were written as chronological stories of what happened. It was difficult to understand what action needed to be taken to solve the problem and who should be responsible.
Solution
Dashe & Thomson’s senior technical writing instructor designed a one-day workshop to address these issues as well as to review grammar and punctuation. The workshops are scheduled several times a year and are led by Dashe & Thomson’s senior technical writing instructor.
Results
The employees have learned how to organize information so the objective is clear. They have learned how to write for a global audience. New employees who take the workshops find a changing writing culture. Now, company employees expect a high level of quality communication from engineering, technical, production, management, and clerical staff.