What is ISO 20560-2:2018 ?

Title: What is ISO 20560-2:2018 and How it Can Benefit Technical Writers

ISO 20534:2018 and EN ISO 31271:2018 are two important standards that provide guidelines for effective technical writing. These standards aim to establish uniform principles and practices for technical documentation, ensuring clarity, consistency, and ease of use for readers. In this article, we will explore the key aspects of ISO 20534:2018 and how it can benefit technical writers in creating thorough and precise technical documents.

Purpose of ISO 20534:2018:

ISO 20534:2018, titled "Information and documentation - Approaches to human language for formatting for open systems interconnection", aims to establish guidelines for effective technical writing. The standard provides guidelines on the structure, style, and presentation of technical documents to ensure clarity, consistency, and ease of use for readers. By implementing these guidelines, technical writers can create more effective and precise technical documents that effectively communicate information to readers.

Purpose of EN ISO 31271:2018:

EN ISO 31271:2018, also known as "Writing of technical documentation - Structured product information for the web", aims to establish a common framework for writing technical documentation. The standard provides guidelines on the structure, content, and presentation of various forms of technical documentation, such as user manuals, installation guides, and specifications. The standard emphasizes the importance of clarity, accuracy, and accessibility in technical communication, ensuring that users can understand and effectively use a product or service.

Key Principles and Guidelines:

ISO 20534:2018 and EN ISO 31271:2018 provide several key principles and guidelines for effective technical writing. These include:

Clarity: Technical documents should be clear and concise, using simple and clear language to ensure that users can understand information easily.

Consistency: Technical documents should be consistent in format, style, and tone to ensure that they are easily readable and understandable.

Accuracy: Technical documents should be accurate and reflect the true nature of the product or service.

Accessibility: Technical documents should be easy to read and understand for users with different abilities and learning styles.

Contextual information: Technical documents should provide contextual information to help users understand the information and its relevance.

Use of images and diagrams: Technical documents should use images and diagrams to help users understand complex information and visualize concepts.

Use of tables and lists: Technical documents should use tables and lists to organize and present information in a clear and easy-to-read format.

Conclusion:

ISO 20534:2018 and EN ISO 31271:2018 provide guidelines for effective technical writing that can benefit technical writers in creating thorough and precise technical documents. By implementing these standards, technical writers can create more effective and precise technical documents that effectively communicate information to readers. By following these principles and guidelines, technical writers can create technical documents that are clear, concise, accurate, and accessible to users.