Technical Communication Drives Growth
•Download as PPS, PDF•
2 likes•399 views
The document discusses the importance of technical communication and documentation. It shares a story where a railway authority tested a new locomotive's windscreen resistance by firing a frozen chicken at it, but the instructions only specified using a thawed chicken. This highlights how important clear communication is for technology to succeed. It then outlines various growth models and strategies for technical communicators to help technologies and companies mature and expand in their markets.
Recommended
Recommended
More Related Content
Similar to Technical Communication Drives Growth
Similar to Technical Communication Drives Growth (20)
More from Udit C
More from Udit C (11)
Recently uploaded
Recently uploaded (20)
Technical Communication Drives Growth
- 1. TECHNICAL COMMUNICATION AS AN AGENT OF GROWTH A Presentation By: Udit Chaudhuri First presented: Learning Session of the Society of Technical Communicators Mumbai, 24 th August, 2002.
- 2. THE IMPACT OF TECHNICAL DOCUMENTATION Bird Hit Simulator – a Story
- 3. Bird Hit Simulator – a Story Bird hits are a major threat to all aircraft. The FAA or Federal Aviation Authority in the US devised a simple, yet ingenious device to test aircraft for fitness against these. A calibrated catapult was used, to propel a packed chicken on to the windscreen of a stationary aircraft. Notably, the device came with an instruction manual that very clearly instructed how to simulate bird hits at various aircraft speeds, as high as 500-600 miles an hour. This catapult was very effective in preventing accidents and won good praise.
- 4. Bird Hit Simulator – a Story A railway authority testing a new locomotive model learned of this superb device. They borrowed it, so as to guarantee this new locomotive’s safety, even though all trains are much more sturdy and much slower. This team hence decided to test the windscreen for impact at 300 miles, well below the maximum. Much to their horror, the chicken smashed the windscreen, punched through the driver’s back-rest and jammed itself into a panel further behind, after breaking some instruments. The authorities checked, re-checked and found no answer. Mystified, they sent a report to the concerned FAA official, and quickly received a one-line reply …
- 33. PINCER GRIP CONCEPT Power Performance Dependence
- 49. THANK YOU Udit Chaudhuri PIP COMMUNICATIONS Strategic Solutions UNIKA ENTERPRISES eNabling Growth http://unika.freehomepage.com 6, Roop Kala 128, West Avenue Santacruz West Mumbai 400054 INDIA Tel: +91-22-26045595 e-mail: [email_address]
Editor's Notes
- Friends. You have done me an honour by inviting me to present our profession of technical communications as an agent of growth. I would like to thank all of you for being present and evincing interest in this subject.
- I begin with an anecdote that was printed in a TC-Forum publication few years ago, very much a case in point. As you know, bird hits are quite a safety issue in aviation. The FAA or Federal Aviation Authority devised a simple, yet ingenious device to test aircraft for fitness against this. A calibrated catapult was used, to propel a packed chicken on to the windscreen of a stationary aircraft. Notably, the device came with a comprehensive manual that very clearly instructed how to simulate bird hits and aircraft speeds ranging to 500 - 600 miles an hour, possibly by setting the weight of the chicken and the pull-force of the catapult. It was very effective in preventing accidents and won good praises. One of the railway authorities testing a new locomotive model, learned of this superb device and borrowed it, so as to guarantee this new locomotive’s safety even though all trains are much more sturdy and much slower. The inspector hence decided to test the windscreen for impact at 300 miles, well below the maximum. So he loaded the chicken and catapulted it - to find in horror - that it smashed the windscreen, punched through the driver’s back-rest and jammed itself into a control panel further behind, after breaking some instruments. The authorities re-checked and found no answer. Mystified, they sent a report to the concerned FAA official, who, obviously quite embarrassed, sent a one line clarification: “ Use a thawed chicken” Suppose this was a commercial situation, you can imagine what it would have done to the catapult manufacturer’s business! This should convince anyone doubting the impact – in real and physical terms – of technical documentation on the growth prospects of a business.
- These are companies whose catalogues are bible to their users. The SKF catalogue is even referred by