WritersUA just published the results of their 2011 Skills and Technologies Survey. This annual survey is one of the best ways I know of to “take the pulse” of the user assistance, technical writing, technical documentation fields. WritersUA typically receives hundreds of responses (460 this year). The analysis is in three sections: Skills, Technologies, and Platforms. The data are presented in a clear, concise form. Each of the pages presents a summary of the top findings and then drills down into the details.

In the Skills are, expertise with authoring tools topped the charts with 85% of respondents, followed by writing procedures at 81%, and project planning at 75%.

On the Technologies side, PDF was rated at the top with 81% and browser-based help came in a close second at 80%. Web / intranet content came in a distant third with 67%.

For Platforms, there is no surprise that Windows leads with 97%, with World Wide Web far behind in second at 69%, and Intranet/extranet ever farther back with 47%.

For anyone who makes their living as a technical writer, technical communicator, or user assistance professional, the WritersUA 2011 Skills and Technologies Survey should be a must read. It can be equally informative for hiring and supervising managers who need to better understand the current state of the technical communications industry.

“Repurposing content” has been a buzzword in technical documentation for at least 10 years, maybe more. Anne Gentile, the author of Just Write Click, one of the best technical writing blogs out there is, recently wrote a great blog post called “Repurposing and Reinventing Content“. In the post she talks about an Austin, TX-based family that operates a website called Animated Knots created an iPhone App to show how to tie knots. Anne also mentions an article in The Statesman, a local Austin newspaper, about the Grogono family. Speaking as someone who flunked out of Boy Scouts and has been challenged on more than one occasion in securing a harness for rock climbing, I read both articles with enthusiasm. However, what was of most interest to me as a technical communicator were Anne’s observations about the family’s success, specifically that the App was persona-based and had tremendous visual appeal. While some of these lessons aren’t directly applicable to technical documentation, there are lessons to be learned and applied. I, for one, enjoyed reading.

I’m writing this post in the middle of our fourth nor’easter of the season. On the first of February we’ve already had more than 60 inches of snow dumped on Greater Boston, with another 12-16 inches forecast by end of tomorrow. I remember enjoying snow as a little kid, especially with the words “snow day” added to the mix. But now, the snow is more of a pain than a joy.

Fortunately, some warm weather thoughts are distracting me today. I’ll be traveling March 13-16 to Long Beach, CA 2011 to present at Peer Showcase of The Conference for Software User Assistance. Joe Welinske, president of WritersUA and direct sponsor of the conference, recently informed me of our selection. I’ll be presenting the EM35x Development Kit Quick Start Guide, a foldout document TRA360 created for Ember Corporation, a leading provider of wireless sensor and control network technologies for businesses, homes and the utilities that serve them. TRA360 has been providing technical documentation services to Ember since 2004.

WritersUA is one of the most respected companies in the UA and technical documentation worlds. So, to be selected to participate in the Peer Showcase is a significant accomplishment for the entire TRA360 team. The conference’s focus is on developing the best possible user experience for all types of software applications through well-designed interfaces, helpful, and accessible support information. Technical writers, online help developers, documentation managers, technical publication managers, and many others are among the many types of people who will attend. Want to learn more? Go to the conference agenda and read all about it. You’ll be glad you did!

And, if you make it to Long Beach, introduce yourself. I’ll be the guy without the shovel.