Technical communication and usability Technical communication and usability can be considered to share the common goal of enabling people to use systems to complete their tasks. Unfortunately, some of the work of the technical communicator consists of 'fixing' user interface problems in the documentation. In theory, the application of usability techniques could reduce this requirement. Both inhabit the same space at the interface between the world of the engineer and the real world Practitioners in both fields are very good at complaining about design decisions made elsewhere. The technical communicator as usability consultant Very often, the technical communicator is the first real person to attempt to use a system.
Many technical communicators are de-facto usability consultants.
They are in a good position to provide feedback on design flaws to the development team. However, this role many only be available if there is sufficient time, and crucially, if the project team is open to such feedback. In fact, technical communicators are often very well placed to provide such feedback. In ideal situations, technical communicators are engaged early in the product development, and are consequently in a position to have an influence on design decisions. Technical communicators are therefore well placed to implement usability by stealth.