How do you make sure your engineering design communication is clear and consistent?

1 Define your communication goals and scope

Before you start any communication activity, you should have a clear idea of what you want to achieve and what you need to include. Depending on the purpose and context of your communication, you may have different goals, such as informing, persuading, instructing, or collaborating. You should also define the scope of your communication, which means the level of detail, complexity, and specificity that you need to provide. For example, a high-level overview of your design concept may be sufficient for a presentation to a potential client, but a detailed specification of your design parameters may be required for a technical report to a manufacturer.

2 Know your audience and expectations

Another key factor for effective communication is to know who you are communicating with and what they expect from you. Different audiences may have different backgrounds, interests, needs, and preferences that affect how they perceive and interpret your communication. For example, a non-technical user may need more explanation and examples than an experienced engineer, or a manager may prefer a concise summary than a lengthy analysis. You should also consider the expectations and standards of your audience, such as the format, style, tone, and terminology that they are familiar with and appreciate. For example, a formal report may follow a specific template and use precise and objective language, while an informal email may use a more casual and personal tone.

3 Use appropriate communication tools and methods

Depending on your communication goals, scope, audience, and expectations, you may need to use different tools and methods to convey and document your engineering design information. Some common tools and methods include sketches, drawings, diagrams, models, prototypes, simulations, calculations, tables, charts, graphs, reports, presentations, emails, memos, letters, proposals, manuals, and instructions. Each tool and method has its own advantages and limitations, and you should choose the ones that best suit your communication purpose and context. For example, a sketch may be useful for quickly illustrating an idea, but a drawing may be more accurate and detailed for showing dimensions and specifications.

6 Review and revise your communication

Before sharing or submitting your engineering design communication, it's important to review and revise it. This will help to ensure accuracy, completeness, relevance, and quality of the information. When reviewing and revising your communication, consider the perspective of your audience and ask yourself if it meets their needs and expectations. Additionally, check if your communication follows your goals, scope, standards, guidelines, and format. Ensure that the language and visuals used are clear and concise to effectively convey your message. Look for errors in grammar, spelling, punctuation, capitalization, terminology, acronyms, abbreviations, symbols, units, labels, captions, titles, legends, keys, scales, colors, fonts, sizes, shapes and alignments. Ask for feedback from peers or experts and incorporate their suggestions into your communication. Finally proofread and edit until you are satisfied with the final product.