Changing roles: a survey of technical communicators

In many organizations, the role of the technical communicator is expanding beyond traditional bounds: writers not only design, write, and edit publications but also serve as usability specialists. At Hewlett-Packard, many technical writers are asked to conduct usability tests and design interfaces while continuing to produce product documentation. The authors present the experiences and reactions of three documentation groups within HP, two in the United States and one in the United Kingdom. They describe the implications of the survey results on the evolution of the technical communicator´s role. It is concluded that survey respondents seem willing to accept an expansion of the technical writer´s role into product usability. They are willing to accept new and additional responsibilities, but feel a need for increased levels of training and organizational support for their contributions.<>