As a mechanical engineer, you may have to communicate your technical findings to non-technical audiences, such as clients, managers, or stakeholders. This can be challenging, as you need to balance accuracy and clarity, while avoiding jargon and confusion. Here are some tips to help you present your technical findings effectively and persuasively.
Before you prepare your presentation, you need to understand who your audience is, what they need to know, and what they expect from you. You can do this by researching their background, interests, goals, and concerns. This will help you tailor your content, tone, and style to suit their needs and preferences. For example, if your audience is a potential client, you may want to focus on how your findings can benefit them, while if your audience is a regulatory body, you may want to emphasize how your findings comply with the standards and requirements.
I often speak to large groups including both engineers and non-engineers. As a result, I try to aim many of my presentations at the high school level (give or take) to ensure that everyone gets something out of them. I try to use visuals to explain concepts instead of too many numbers and equations. I try to tell a story with my talks, and relate them to everyday life (either through anecdotes from my own life or even by pulling in the local culture or scenery if presenting abroad). Sometimes bringing a non-technical audience into a technical topic can be accomplished simply through the presenter's enthusiasm. It doesn't hurt to tell a joke or two as well.
I often ask myself the question that beyond all the technical jargons and semantics, what is the meaning in a real-world context. In other words, what is the essence of the work in a grand scheme of thing. That helps me translating the technical words into a simpler communicative expression. Second think would be a genuine interest of "not sounding smart" but "connecting to the audience". Use of jargons sounds smart but does not communicate through. So, there has to be a sincere effort from a technical presenter to respect the audience so that they can follow the speech.
When presenting technical content to a non-technical audience, it's essential to bridge the knowledge gap and make the information accessible and engaging. Here are some points to keep in mind: 1. Know Your Audience Understand the background and knowledge level of your audience. 2. Start with the Big Picture: Begin with an overview or a real-world problem to establish context. 3. Avoid Jargon: Minimize technical jargon, acronyms, and complex terminology. 4. Use Analogies: Relate the technical information to everyday experience. 5. Visuals and Examples: Utilize visuals, diagrams, and real-life examples to illustrate concepts. 6. Focus on Benefits Highlight the practical implications and benefits. 7. Structure Your Content Present story
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In order to create understanding of a technical topic to a non technical audience following methods can be adopted such as; 1. Knowing your audience is the 1st key which will help you identify how you have to cater the topic. 2. Using real life scenario and example which we face on day to day basis. 3. Using some audio-video tools for creating intrest and understanding about the tooic. 4. Using some examples from movies or other media channels. 5. Making the session interactive by asking general things to the audience.
Once you know your audience, you need to simplify your message and make it easy to follow. You can do this by using clear and concise language, avoiding technical terms and acronyms, and explaining any concepts or terms that may be unfamiliar to them. You can also use analogies, examples, or stories to illustrate your points and make them more relatable. For example, if you want to explain the concept of torque, you can use the example of opening a door with a handle or a knob.
As an educator, I connect lessons to students’ daily lives. For instance, I use the evolution of mobile phone sizes as a relatable example, given their widespread use. This approach helps students appreciate manufacturing and tech advancements, resulting in longer term retention.
All engineering concepts are from science and nature if we look closely, then we can relate to nature as much as possible regardless having a sound Technical background.
Analogies or comparisons with previous experiences/situations can help with the understanding for technical groups. Also, use the people who do want to engage with you, they might be able to bring the information in a more digestible way, if they are on the other side. Allow others to speak, if it's not detrimental to the experience.
You can also use the approach of adding “a concluding remark or a take away” for the audience in one line. You can do this for every slide that you feel conveys an outcome or a finding. This gives the audience a concise idea of your work and is helpful for the overall narrative.
I try to avoid jargon and technical terms. I believe it is important in this step to explain complex ideas using simple language and relatable examples.
Visuals and data can help you support your message and make it more engaging and memorable. You can use graphs, charts, diagrams, images, or videos to show your findings and highlight the key points. However, you need to make sure that your visuals and data are relevant, accurate, and easy to understand. You can do this by using simple and consistent formats, labels, and colors, and by adding captions, titles, or legends to explain what they show. You can also use data to back up your claims and arguments, but you need to choose the most relevant and meaningful data and avoid overwhelming your audience with too many numbers or details.
Remember the saying "Pictures speak a thusand words" Also, as I read from amedical journal, people have better picture memory than words and numbers! Show it in graphs, pictures, emoticons as summary and takeawy will have a bigger impact and leave long lasting memory in the audience. Will have better recall ability to take the discussion further in later days :)
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You should also prepare for any questions or objections that your audience may have about your technical findings. You can do this by thinking of the possible questions or concerns that they may raise, and by having clear and concise answers or solutions ready. You can also practice your presentation and ask for feedback from someone who is not familiar with your topic, and see if they have any questions or suggestions. This will help you improve your presentation and avoid any surprises or misunderstandings.
As is already indicated, you should know your audience. The audience, like most humans do, would tend to focus on what is in it for them. So cut down on the jargon and focus on narrating it all with their needs/interests in mind. The questions and objections, would most likely be inline with their needs and interests as well. Thus, for example, a CFO would tend to ask questions that would help understand the revenue potential, the costs/expenses involved, timelines etc.
Finally, you should try to engage your audience and make your presentation interactive and interesting. You can do this by using a friendly and confident tone, making eye contact, and using gestures and body language to convey your enthusiasm and passion. You can also ask questions, invite feedback, or use polls or quizzes to involve your audience and check their understanding. You can also use humor, anecdotes, or quotes to lighten the mood and create rapport. However, you need to be respectful, professional, and appropriate, and avoid any jokes or comments that may offend or alienate your audience.
Know Your Audience: Understand their background and level of expertise to tailor your presentation accordingly. Define Clear Objectives: Determine what you want your audience to take away from the presentation. Use Plain Language: Avoid jargon and technical terms. Explain complex concepts in simple, everyday language. Visual Aids: Incorporate visuals like charts, graphs, and diagrams to make data more digestible. Storytelling: Craft a narrative that connects with your audience. Use real-world examples or analogies to explain technical ideas. Prioritize Key Points: Focus on the most important findings. Avoid overwhelming your audience with too much detail. Engage with Questions: Encourage questions to ensure your audience.
I find that when presenting technical ideas or methods to a non-technical audience that data is key. As humans we underestimate data and sometimes even the thought of it can appear complex as well as daunting, however, I’ve noticed that transference of knowledge is smoothly done when presenting data in multiple ways. Studies have shown countless times that audiences especially of non-technical backgrounds struggle to understand the same type of data sets as a whole. This means that we should share & display our data in numerous different states. Try to keep the selection between 2 & 4 so that it isn’t saturated or hugely intimidating to look at. I have found this is hugely successful when wanting to convey technical information.