Types of Documentation Required by Companies

Types of Documentation Required by Companies

Every business--large or small--needs documentation to operate effectively. The major classifications of needed documents include marketing, user guides, administrative material and published works. Technical communicators are needed to write each of these types of documents.

Marketing material

Companies need written material to provide customers with information about the company and their products and/or services. The purpose is to make the public aware of what is available, as well as to help to sell the products. This material includes:
• Promotional Brochures
• Advertisements, flyers, catalogues, and other pre-sale literature
• Informational Brochures
Historically such materials would be printed, but recently promotional material and catalogues have been distributed via CD-ROM. Most companies now use their Web sites as marketing brochures.
Marketing specialists and advertising copywriters have traditionally done marketing writing. Recently, professional technical documentation specialists are writing online marketing documents.

User guides and manuals

Companies that make products or software need to have manuals and user guides available that will explain how to properly use the product. These documents are intended for both external customers and for use internally.


Typical guides and manuals include:

• Quick reference guides
• Software user or reference guides
Many companies are putting their guides and manuals online. Many commercial software companies have abandoned hard-copy manuals in favor of online help files packaged with the software.

Quick reference guides

Quick reference guides provide ready reference to essential features during the use of hardware or software. They may include graphical devices and other job aides.

Software user guides
 

Software user guides provide instructions for using a software product. Since there has been a tendency to put these manuals online.
Software reference guides provide accessible reference information on the features and functions of a software product.

Hardware user guides
 

Hardware user guides provide instructions for using a hardware product. "Hardware" means any electronic or mechanical device, including computers, lawnmowers and stereo equipment.
Hardware installation, reference and repair guides
Hardware installation, reference and repair guides provide accessible reference information on the features and functions of a hardware product. They also explain how to install, modify, maintain or repair a piece of hardware.

Administrative material

Most companies need documents to cover various administrative requirements. Such material includes:
• Organization manuals
• Training materials
• Annual reports
The movement is to put much of this material online, on the Web, or on an internal intranet.

Organization Policies and Procedures
 

Organization manuals provide guidance to employees or customers of an organization. They include policies and procedures manuals, style and identity guides and benefits guides.
Some companies are putting online versions of organization manuals on their intranet.

Training materials

Training materials are publications developed for use in a training or classroom environment by either the trainer or student participant.
Computer-based training (CBT), Web-based training (WBT) and eLearning are cost-effective methods of training over using training manuals and trainers. Most companies tend to outsource the development of eLearning, as opposed to doing it in-house.
Miscellaneous material for publication
Occasionally, companies want or need other type of writing intended for publication done for them. These include:
A company may want articles published in magazines. This material would include news and information about an organization, technology, industry, or scientific field. It may be intended for an internal or external audience, a special interest audience or the general public.
Some companies distribute newsletters giving information about company happenings. Newsletters may be intended for an internal or external audience.
Companies may want reports written on scientific or technical efforts. They are usually aimed at the professional community or a contracting agency.
Top company officials may need speeches written for special occasions or presentations. Some technical writers specialize in this field.

In conclusion

There is a wide range of documentation that companies need for effectively running their businesses. Documentation is also needed to create new business by providing information to potential customers. Besides the traditional paper-based documents, online documentation is becoming important to successful companies.