Designing and writing operating manuals

A manual should communicate the design engineers´ intentions for the operation of a process. To do this, it must be accurate, detailed, and logical, and it must be completed in time for the startup. Steps in preparation are structuring the manual; gathering and organizing information; making an outline; writing a draft; checking for technical accuracy; reviewing for consistency, style, and format; cross referencing and making an index; and distributing and accumulating updates and corrections.