What is EN ISO 19095:2013

EN ISO 19095:2013 is an international standard that provides guidelines and requirements for effective technical writing. This standard, developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), aims to improve the clarity, consistency, and quality of technical documentation. It outlines the key principles and techniques that writers should follow to ensure their technical documents are accurate, understandable, and user-friendly.

Why is it important?

Clear and concise technical writing is essential in various industries, including engineering, manufacturing, software development, and healthcare. Effective communication of technical information is crucial to ensure proper understanding and interpretation of instructions, specifications, and procedures. Misinterpretation or misunderstanding can lead to costly errors, accidents, and overall reduced efficiency.

EN ISO 19095:2013 sets a standard that helps organizations streamline their technical writing processes, resulting in improved document structure, coherence, and usability. Adhering to these guidelines enhances readability, facilitates information sharing, and reduces the potential for errors or confusion.

Key requirements and guidelines

The EN ISO 19095:2013 standard provides detailed requirements and guidelines for various aspects of technical writing. These include:

Use of clear and concise language: Technical content should be expressed using simple and easily understood language. Complex terms and jargon should be avoided or clearly defined.

Consistent terminology: The standard emphasizes the importance of consistent use of terms and definitions throughout the document to avoid confusion.

Structuring and formatting: It provides recommendations on how to organize information logically and use appropriate headings, subheadings, and lists to enhance readability.

Visual aids: The standard encourages the use of illustrations, diagrams, tables, and other visual aids to complement the text and aid understanding.

Review process: It specifies the need for a comprehensive review process, involving subject matter experts and end-users, to ensure accuracy, completeness, and usability of the document.

Conclusion

EN ISO 19095:2013 offers valuable guidelines to improve the quality and effectiveness of technical writing. Adhering to these guidelines can lead to clearer and more user-friendly technical documents, promoting better understanding and reducing the risk of errors. By following this standard, organizations can ensure that their technical documentation meets high standards of clarity, consistency, and usability, ultimately benefiting both the creators and users of technical content.