The Power of Technical Communication: More Than Just Business Jargon

Technical communication—what is it, really? According to Gerson and Gerson (2020), it includes all communication "...for and about business." A bit broad, right? The Society for Technical Communication takes it a step further, describing it as "...a user-centered approach for providing the right information, in the right way, at the right time so that the user’s life is more productive" (Society for Technical Communication, n.d.). Now that’s more like it! In my work creating a massive volume of business documents—some technology-related, some not—I find both definitions useful. At its core, technical communication is about making business information clear, digestible, and actionable for the intended audience.

Now, as someone with a creative writing background, my natural instinct is to wax poetic (which, sadly, doesn’t always fly in the business world). Technical communication, however, demands clarity, conciseness, and just enough detail—no more, no less. This is a constant challenge for me since my writing often mirrors how I speak. Editing my own work becomes an exercise in trimming the fat, cutting out the flowery flourishes, and sticking to the facts. Less Tolkien-esque world-building, more straight-to-the-point efficiency.

At the heart of it, technical communication ensures that the right people get the right information in a way they can actually use. If it's ineffective—unclear, jargon-heavy, or just plain confusing—the fallout can be serious. A minor misunderstanding may be a simple inconvenience, but in a business setting, unclear communication can lead to financial losses, safety risks, project delays, or legal issues. In extreme cases, poor technical communication can even result in injuries or fatalities. In short, it’s not just about good writing—it’s about getting it right.

References

Gerson, S. J., & Gerson, S. M. (2020). Technical communication: Process and product (9th ed.). Pearson.

Society for Technical Communication. (n.d.). Defining technical communication. Retrieved January 7, 2025, from https://www.stc.org/about-stc/defining-technical-communication/