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.
However, most projects are cost-driven, and engaging in usability commentary may be well outside the scope of the technical communicator's brief. In the worst case scenario, technical communicators can be a force for evil, because if they have given a fixed-price commitment, they may be in a position to enforce design freezes even though significant usability flaws exist. Technical communicators often have many of the skills required by usability professionals. The ability to write should not be underestimated. Many usability professionals are poor writers, and therefore have difficulty in communicating their findings and recommendations.