TecCOMFrame: A competence framework for technical communication

Abstract

The role of technical communicators is expanding due to technology. However, many individuals throughout Europe gain employment as technical communicators without undergoing specialized training. TecCOMFrame, a three-year project funded by the European Union, aims to develop: 1) a common academic qualification and competence framework for technical communication; 2) prototypes of technical communication curricula; 3) a competence and qualification profiling tool and an update of the TecDocNet Guideline, which describes professional education and training of technical communicators in Europe. TecCOMFrame is coordinated by tekom Europe and involves academic partners from eight European countries. The project started in September 2015. Partners have worked on the development of the qualification and competence framework, which was finalized and published at the beginning of 2017. Partners are now developing prototype curricula. Throughout the project, partners collect feedback from academics, practitioners and employers in technical communication to ensure that the project results meet the needs of all stakeholders. This paper discusses the background to the project and the process of developing the framework and curricula.

New Work in Technical Communication

“…Many services have become automated, while technical systems have turned more complex. Consumers of content and users of applications increasingly access information online and use self-service applications to perform tasks such as banking, managing healthcare and voting in elections (Cleary et al 2017). The question then arises how technical writers can support users to make optimal (safe, effective and efficient) use of technologies and successfully carry out transactions that were previously conducted by experts.…”

“…In the final section of the paper, we will review the academic qualification and competence framework TecCOMFrame that was published in 2017 (https://www.teccomframe.eu/). This framework aimed to comprise all competencies that are relevant for technical writers (Cleary et al 2017). However, the fast development of the profession invites a review of the framework.…”

Technical Communication in the United Kingdom: The Academic and Professional Contexts

“…in the United States, Canada, and Germany). In Europe, the TecCOMFrame project was established to address the lack of academic programs in technical communication in many countries (see [3] for a description of that project). In the United Kingdom (UK), no full academic program in technical communication is offered, although programs at master's level did run in the 1990s and 2000s.…”

Workshop: Curriculum Development for Technical Communication in a Digitalized World Based on the TecCOMFrame Competence Framework

“…The framework was developed by the project partners, in collaboration with silent partners and stakeholders, in an iterative process during the first year of the project. (See [1] and [2] for an overview of the TecCOMFrame project, its goals, processes, and outputs. )…”