From the President
The ultimate in user testing for technical communicators involves testing your own deliverables. We've got a webinar and workshop lined up to help you do just that. And while you're being exceptionally awesome, how about throwing your hat in the ring to be Plain English Technical Communicator of the Year?
How usable is your documentation?
We slave over the documents and hope the users will like them, right? Rebecca Cox, an Auckland-based UX analyst, is running July workshops for technical communicators in Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch.
Bring your laptop and learn about user-centred design methods which can help you to assess your documentation. Rebecca will arm you with the reasons for investing in DocUX, and give you techniques to both carry it out and present the results to your team.
Not sure? Register for Rebecca's 1-hour webinar UX Methods for Technical Writers, running at lunch-time on 28 June. It's free for TechCommNZ members and is a great opportunity to "meet" Rebecca with time left over to book for her workshop.
Who will be Plain English Technical Communicator of 2017?
Are you a plain English champion? Do you care enough to help eliminate gobbledegook? Of course you do!
Last year, the amazing WriteMark Plain English Awards team were very busy helping to bring Clarity2016 (the international plain language conference) to Wellington. This meant that the awards focused on just two very popular People's Choice award categories.
Having succeeded in this mission, WriteMark is bringing the full awards back! TechCommNZ is proud to be a sponsor of the Plain English Technical Communicator of 2017
Year | Winner | Finalists |
2017 | Who will it be? | Will it be you? |
2016 | Only 2 categories in 2016: People's Choice — Best Plain English Communication and People's Choice — Worst 'Brainstrain' Communication | |
2015 | Meredith Evans, Synlait Milk | Sarah Wilcox, Descipher Emma Adcock, OSPRI |
2014 | Janet Green, Ministry of Social Development | Kylie McGrath, Xero Laura Southgate & Ros Black, Xero |
2013 | Kylie Mason, Ministry of Health | Chloe Hooper, Statistics New Zealand Ros Black, Xero |
2012 | Sarah Burns, Telecom New Zealand Limited | Allanah Kalafatelis, Commerce Commission Kylie McGrath, Xero |
2011 | Sarah Grundy, Department of Conservation | Jon Hertzig, Electric Ink Limited Meredith Evans, Streamliners NZ Limited |
2010 | Meredith Evans, Streamliners NZ Limited | Erwin Timmerman, Dynamic Controls Lesley Hanes, Statistics New Zealand |
This year, there's a fee to enter – $125 +GST or $65 +GST for non-profits. Don't let the fee put you off – the glory for you and your organisation is worth it. Ask our previous winners and finalists!
It's subscription time again
Soon you'll be receiving your renewal notice from TechCommNZ. There are many reasons to be part of the TechCommNZ community, so when the email arrives, renew straight away or join up if you’re not already a member! We love your continued support.
Until July, stay warm and full of wintr'y cheer,