ASCENT Blog

ASCENT’s Technical Writing Team

Although ASCENT is well known for its training materials, did you know we also have a seasoned technical writing team that helps clients with a wide variety of projects?

Examples of our technical writing work include:
• Software and online help documentation
• Knowledgebase content
• Standard operating procedures
• Best practice methodologies
• User, installation, and quick reference guides
• User quizzes
• Flowcharts, diagrams, and illustrations
• Interactive tutorials and instructional animations
• eLearning content, design, and hosting

We know that not all technical writing vendors are created equal. As we noted in our prior blog post, when evaluating firms, it’s a good idea to ask questions and find the right fit.

Here's how ASCENT’s writing team differentiates itself from other competitors in the market:

1. Company history and reputation. ASCENT’s dedicated team has over 20 years’ experience developing technical documentation and knowledge assessment products.

2. Team processes. Unlike many vendors, ASCENT’s technical writing staff uses a structured project management process for each engagement.   (Watch this short video for more details)

3. Prior experience. ASCENT has worked with numerous clients on technical writing projects. For example, we helped Strathcona County in Alberta, Canada to build a smart, single source Design and Construction Standards document that guides contractors and project managers when building municipal utility, transportation, and open space infrastructure. ASCENT also worked with Gatlin Education Services, the world’s largest provider of asynchronous web-based training, to bring greater value to existing educational materials.  View these case studies online.

4. Communication practices. Clear and frequent communication with clients is an integral part of ASCENT’s technical writing projects. This starts with the Initiating and Planning phases of projects and continues through Executing and Monitoring, all the way to Project Closure.

For more information on our Technical Writing Services, hear from ASCENT's Director of Product Development in this 3 minute video:

 

To learn more about how ASCENT’s flexible technical writing services can help your organization, feel free to contact us.

Why Seek Assistance with Technical Writing?

Technical writing is an integral part of many companies’ operations. However, not every organization has the expertise needed in-house to create clear, compelling technical documents. There are many reasons why companies seek outside assistance for their technical writing projects:

• Resource constraints. In-house writers may not be available or they may not have the bandwidth needed to meet tight deadlines for high priority projects.
   
• Market expansion. When international companies expand into English-speaking markets, their documentation may need editing to meet requirements of English-speaking audiences.
  
  
• Existing documentation is inconsistent or unclear. When documentation is inconsistent across products, it detracts from a company’s brand identity. In addition, documentation that is unclear can result in an unnecessarily high level of support calls from customers.
  
  
• Documentation doesn’t convey concepts in a visual way. When documentation lacks 3D models, charts, diagrams, illustrations, or animations, it often makes it more difficult for readers to comprehend information quickly.

Getting expert help with technical writing projects can deliver many benefits. Finding the right experts, however, requires research and a thorough process for vetting vendors. When interviewing technical writing firms, consider asking questions that cover the following topics:

1. Company history and reputation. How long has the company been in business?
2. Team processes. What project management tools and techniques do teams use to keep projects on schedule and on budget?
3. Prior experience. What are examples of projects similar to yours that the company has worked on?
4. Communication practices. What tools do teams use to communicate with clients?

With many vendors in the market, finding the right match can be a challenge. In our next blog post, we'll discuss ASCENT’s Technical Writing team and how our team differentiates itself from the competition. In the meantime, contact us if you have any questions or would like a quote for your next project. Email us at: [email protected]