In this article, we’ll look at the best practices for onboarding your new Technical Communicator. We’ll look at the employee onboarding process/steps you can add to your own reusable Technical Communicator checklist.
Need help with onboarding new Writing team members? See the templates and resources we recommend for successful onboarding experiences.
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Are you looking for help setting up a staff orientation process so that when your new Technical Communicator 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 Writing onboarding experience or just need an onboarding checklist for your new Technical Communicator, you’re in the right place. We’ve put together a sample Technical Communicator onboarding checklist below and have created onboarding templates & resources to help.
1. Introduction to company culture and values: The task involves providing an overview of the company’s culture, values, and mission to the new Technical Communicator. This task is typically performed by the Human Resources department or a designated company representative who can explain the company’s core principles and how they align with the Technical Communicator’s role.
2. Familiarization with company policies and procedures: The new Technical Communicator should be provided with a comprehensive understanding of the company’s policies and procedures, including those related to communication, documentation, and content creation. This task is typically performed by the Human Resources department or a designated team member responsible for policy enforcement.
3. Introduction to the company’s products or services: The Technical Communicator needs to gain a thorough understanding of the company’s products or services to effectively communicate technical information to various stakeholders. This task is typically performed by a subject matter expert or a designated team member who can provide detailed information about the products or services.
4. Review of existing documentation and style guides: The new Technical Communicator should be given access to existing documentation and style guides to understand the company’s preferred writing style, formatting guidelines, and terminology. This task is typically performed by a senior Technical Communicator or a designated team member responsible for maintaining documentation standards.
5. Training on relevant software and tools: The Technical Communicator should receive training on the software and tools commonly used in the industry, such as content management systems, authoring tools, and graphic design software. This task is typically performed by a designated trainer or a member of the Technical Communication team who is proficient in these tools.
6. Introduction to key stakeholders: The new Technical Communicator should be introduced to key stakeholders within the company, such as product managers, engineers, and marketing personnel, who they may collaborate with during their role. This task is typically performed by the Technical Communication team lead or a designated team member responsible for facilitating cross-functional collaboration.
7. Shadowing experienced Technical Communicators: The new Technical Communicator should have the opportunity to shadow experienced Technical Communicators to observe their work processes, gain insights into best practices, and understand the expectations of the role. This task is typically organized by the Technical Communication team lead or a designated mentor within the team.
8. Review of project management processes: The Technical Communicator should be familiarized with the company’s project management processes, including how projects are initiated, tracked, and completed. This task is typically performed by a project manager or a designated team member responsible for project coordination.
9. Introduction to the company’s branding guidelines: The new Technical Communicator should be provided with the company’s branding guidelines, including logo usage, color schemes, and tone of voice, to ensure consistency in their communication materials. This task is typically performed by the Marketing department or a designated team member responsible for brand management.
10. Collaboration with cross-functional teams: The Technical Communicator should be encouraged to collaborate with cross-functional teams, such as marketing, product development, and customer support, to gather information and ensure accurate and effective communication. This task is typically facilitated by the Technical Communication team lead or a designated team member responsible for fostering collaboration.
11. Performance expectations and goal setting: The new Technical Communicator should have a clear understanding of their performance expectations and be involved in goal-setting discussions to align their objectives with the company’s overall strategy. This task is typically performed by the Technical Communication team lead or a designated supervisor within the team.
12. Ongoing professional development opportunities: The Technical Communicator should be informed about ongoing professional development opportunities, such as conferences, webinars, or training programs, to enhance their skills and stay updated with industry trends. This task is typically performed by the Technical Communication team lead or a designated team member responsible for professional development initiatives.
13. Introduction to the company’s feedback and review processes: The new Technical Communicator should be familiarized with the company’s feedback and review processes, including how feedback is given, received, and incorporated into their work. This task is typically performed by the Technical Communication team lead or a designated team member responsible for performance evaluations.
14. Access to necessary resources and tools: The Technical Communicator should be provided with access to necessary resources, such as style guides, templates, and reference materials, as well as the tools required to perform their job effectively. This task is typically performed by the Technical Communication team lead or a designated team member responsible for resource management.
15. Introduction to the company’s communication channels: The new Technical Communicator should be introduced to the company’s communication channels, such as email, instant messaging platforms, and project management tools, to ensure effective communication within the organization. This task is typically performed by the IT department or a designated team member responsible for communication infrastructure.
16. Regular check-ins and feedback sessions: The Technical Communicator should have regular check-ins and feedback sessions with their supervisor or team lead to discuss their progress, address any concerns, and provide guidance for improvement. This task is typically performed by the Technical Communication team lead or a designated supervisor within the team.
17. Introduction to company-wide initiatives and events: The new Technical Communicator should be informed about company-wide initiatives, events, and activities to foster a sense of belonging and encourage participation in the company’s culture. This task is typically performed by the Human Resources department or a designated team member responsible for employee engagement.
18. Introduction to the company’s customer base: The Technical Communicator should be introduced to the company’s customer base, including their needs, preferences, and pain points, to better understand the target audience and tailor their communication accordingly. This task is typically performed by the Marketing department or a designated team member responsible for customer insights.
19. Review of legal and compliance requirements: The new Technical Communicator should be made aware of any legal and compliance requirements related to their role, such as copyright laws, data protection regulations, or industry-specific guidelines. This task is typically performed by the Legal department or a designated team member responsible for compliance.
20. Introduction to the company’s feedback culture: The Technical Communicator should be introduced to the company’s feedback culture, emphasizing the importance of giving and receiving constructive feedback to foster continuous improvement. This task is typically performed by the Technical Communication team lead or a designated team member responsible for promoting a feedback culture.
By completing these onboarding tasks, the new Technical Communicator will be equipped with the necessary knowledge, skills, and resources to effectively contribute to their role within the company
From reading through the items in the example Technical Communicator checklist above, you’ll now have an idea of how you can apply best practices to getting your new Technical Communicator up to speed and working well in your 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.
