How can you ensure that your technical presentations meet industry standards?

1 Identify your purpose and audience

Before you start preparing your technical presentation, you need to define your purpose and audience. What is the main goal of your presentation? What do you want your audience to learn, do, or feel after listening to you? Who are your audience members? What are their backgrounds, needs, expectations, and preferences? How much do they know about your topic? How will they use or benefit from your information? Answering these questions will help you tailor your content, tone, and style to suit your purpose and audience.

2 Research and organize your content

Once you have a clear purpose and audience, you need to research and organize your content. Depending on your topic and field, you may need to consult various sources of information, such as books, journals, websites, reports, or experts. Make sure to evaluate the credibility, relevance, and currency of your sources, and cite them properly. Then, organize your content into a logical and coherent structure, such as introduction, body, and conclusion. Use headings, subheadings, transitions, and signposts to guide your audience through your presentation.

3 Design and use effective visuals

Visuals can make a technical presentation more engaging, memorable, and persuasive when used effectively. To ensure effective visuals, you should choose ones that support your main points and messages, use simple, clear, and consistent formats and layouts, as well as appropriate colors, fonts, and sizes. Additionally, it's important to avoid clutter, noise, and unnecessary elements. Labeling and explaining your visuals is also essential and should be in alignment with your verbal and written content.

4 Practice and polish your delivery

To practice and polish your delivery, you need to rehearse your presentation several times, preferably in front of a mirror, a recorder, or a friend. Make sure to time yourself and adjust your content and pace accordingly. Additionally, anticipate and prepare for questions and feedback, check your equipment and materials before the presentation, dress appropriately and professionally, speak clearly, confidently, and enthusiastically. It is also important to maintain eye contact and rapport with your audience while using gestures and movements to emphasize and illustrate your points. Be sure to avoid filler words, jargon, and slang.

5 Follow ethical standards and guidelines

As a technical presenter, you have a responsibility to follow ethical standards and guidelines that ensure the integrity, quality, and respect of your communication. This includes respecting the intellectual property and privacy of others by citing sources, obtaining permissions, and avoiding plagiarism. Additionally, you should respect the diversity and inclusivity of your audience by using appropriate language that avoids stereotypes and biases. Furthermore, you should be accurate and honest in your information by using reliable data and avoiding distortion or manipulation. Lastly, you should demonstrate professionalism and courtesy by following the norms of your field, audience, and situation while remaining polite and responsive.

6 Seek and apply feedback

Feedback is an essential part of improving your technical presentation skills and ensuring that your presentation meets industry standards. To do this, you should review your own presentation to identify your strengths and weaknesses. Additionally, you should ask your colleagues or classmates to watch your presentation and provide constructive comments and suggestions. Furthermore, you can ask your audience to fill out a survey or a questionnaire after your presentation to evaluate their responses and reactions. Finally, seek out professional advice and guidance from supervisors, instructors, or experts who can review your presentation. By following these steps, you can guarantee that your technical presentations meet industry standards and reach your communication goals.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?