Engineering Writer Onboarding Checklist

Engineering Writer Onboarding Process

Are you looking for help setting up a staff orientation process so that when your new Engineering Writer starts their role, they can learn about their responsibilities and your company as quickly as possible? Whether you’re keen to use buddy onboarding, want to automate your Technical Writing onboarding experience or just need an onboarding checklist for your new Engineering Writer, you’re in the right place. We’ve put together a sample Engineering Writer onboarding checklist below and have created onboarding templates & resources to help.

Engineering Writer Onboarding Checklist

1. Introduction to company culture and values: The task involves providing an overview of the company’s culture, values, and mission to the new engineering writer. This task is typically performed by the HR department or a designated company representative who can explain the company’s core principles and how they align with the role of an engineering writer.

2. Orientation to company policies and procedures: This task involves familiarizing the engineering writer with the company’s policies and procedures, including those related to communication, data security, intellectual property, and document management. The HR department or a designated representative typically handles this task, ensuring that the writer understands and adheres to the company’s guidelines.

3. Introduction to the engineering team: The engineering writer should be introduced to the engineering team, including key members and their roles. This task is usually performed by the engineering manager or a team lead who can provide an overview of the team’s structure, ongoing projects, and collaboration processes.

4. Familiarization with engineering tools and software: The engineering writer needs to become familiar with the tools and software commonly used by the engineering team, such as project management software, version control systems, and documentation platforms. This task is typically performed by the engineering manager or a designated team member who can provide training and guidance on using these tools effectively.

5. Review of existing technical documentation: The new engineering writer should review existing technical documentation to gain an understanding of the company’s writing style, formatting guidelines, and content standards. This task is usually performed by the engineering writer’s direct supervisor or a senior technical writer who can provide examples and explain the expectations for documentation quality.

6. Training on company-specific terminology and products: The engineering writer should receive training on the company’s specific terminology, products, and technologies to ensure accurate and consistent documentation. This task is typically performed by subject matter experts within the engineering team or product managers who can provide detailed explanations and answer any questions.

7. Introduction to the target audience and user personas: The engineering writer should be introduced to the target audience and user personas for whom they will be creating technical documentation. This task is typically performed by the product management or marketing team, who can provide insights into the users’ needs, preferences, and pain points.

8. Collaboration with cross-functional teams: The engineering writer should be encouraged to collaborate with cross-functional teams, such as product managers, developers, and quality assurance, to gather information and ensure accurate documentation. This task is facilitated by the engineering manager or project leads who can facilitate introductions and encourage collaboration.

9. Review of company branding and style guidelines: The engineering writer should review the company’s branding and style guidelines to ensure consistency in their documentation. This task is typically performed by the marketing or communications department, who can provide the necessary guidelines and templates.

10. Ongoing professional development opportunities: The engineering writer should be informed about ongoing professional development opportunities, such as workshops, conferences, or online courses, to enhance their technical writing skills. This task is typically performed by the HR department or the engineering manager, who can provide information on available resources and support the writer’s growth.

11. Performance expectations and feedback mechanisms: The engineering writer should receive clear performance expectations and understand the feedback mechanisms in place to assess their work. This task is typically performed by the engineering manager or direct supervisor, who can set goals, provide regular feedback, and conduct performance evaluations.

12. Introduction to company communication channels: The engineering writer should be introduced to the company’s communication channels, such as email, instant messaging platforms, and project management tools, to facilitate effective communication within the team. This task is typically performed by the IT department or the engineering manager, who can provide access and guidance on using these channels efficiently.

13. Introduction to company safety protocols: The engineering writer should be familiarized with the company’s safety protocols, especially if they will be working in a manufacturing or engineering environment. This task is typically performed by the HR department or the engineering manager, who can provide safety training and guidelines to ensure the writer’s well-being.

14. Introduction to company benefits and perks: The engineering writer should be informed about the company’s benefits and perks, such as health insurance, retirement plans, vacation policies, and employee assistance programs. This task is typically performed by the HR department, who can provide an overview of the available benefits and answer any related questions.

15. Introduction to company social events and team-building activities: The engineering writer should be invited to company social events and team-building activities to foster a sense of belonging and camaraderie within the organization. This task is typically organized by the HR department or a designated social committee responsible for planning such events.

16. Introduction to company reporting structure and escalation procedures: The engineering writer should understand the company’s reporting structure and escalation procedures in case of issues or concerns. This task is typically performed by the engineering manager or a designated representative who can explain the hierarchy and provide guidance on reporting channels.

17. Introduction to company’s code of conduct and ethics: The engineering writer should be familiarized with the company’s code of conduct and ethics to ensure they adhere to the highest professional standards. This task is typically performed by the HR department or a designated representative who can provide the necessary guidelines and address any questions or concerns.

18. Introduction to company’s diversity and inclusion initiatives: The engineering writer should be introduced to the company’s diversity and inclusion initiatives, promoting a welcoming and inclusive work environment. This task is typically performed by the HR department or a designated representative who can provide information on diversity programs, employee resource groups, and related initiatives.

19. Introduction to company’s career advancement opportunities: The engineering writer should be informed about the company’s career advancement opportunities, such as internal promotions, lateral moves, or mentorship programs. This task is typically performed by the HR department or the engineering manager, who can provide guidance on career development within the organization.

20. Provision of necessary equipment and resources: The engineering writer should be provided with the necessary equipment, such as a computer, software licenses, and access to relevant databases or documentation repositories. This task is typically performed by the IT department or the engineering manager, who can ensure the writer has the tools needed to perform their job effectively

Setting Up Your Employee Onboarding Process

From reading through the items in the example Engineering Writer checklist above, you’ll now have an idea of how you can apply best practices to getting your new Engineering Writer up to speed and working well in your Technical Writing team. Scroll up to see the link to our onboarding templates & resources or get in touch to discuss getting help setting up your systems and processes in this area.