Technical writing – just like every other writing process – requires planning and preparation to deliver a quality and valuable copy to its targeted audience. It also requires following a structured process- a set of high-level steps- to help you get the better of the initial blank-page confusion, and write efficiently, with ease, and at a faster pace.

Having these steps in mind when you’re writing your documentation also lets you mentally tick off your progress and help you pinpoint what you’re yet to do.

This chapter will take you through the commonly used steps in creating almost any piece of technical documentation. They include:

• Pre-Writing
• Research
• Drafting
• Revising
• Editing and Proofreading

Lesson Key Takeaway: ‘There is no “right way” or “wrong way” to technical writing. However, you can never go wrong with planning and preparing your technical documentation. It enables you to efficiently and effectively relay technical information to the audience in a less systemic pattern.’