SIST ISO 24183:2024
(Main)Technical communication — Vocabulary
Technical communication — Vocabulary
This document defines terms for the theory and application of technical communication. It prepares the terminological background for all other standards in the field of technical communication by providing precise definitions and standardized terms for basic concepts in this domain.
This document is applicable to persons creating information products in the field of technical communication or using these information products professionally.
Communication technique — Vocabulaire
Tehnična komunikacija - Slovar
General Information
Standards Content (Sample)
SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-november-2024
Tehnična komunikacija - Slovar
Technical communication — Vocabulary
Communication technique — Vocabulaire
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: ISO 24183:2024
ICS:
01.040.01 Splošno. Terminologija. Generalities. Terminology.
Standardizacija. Standardization.
Dokumentacija (Slovarji) Documentation
(Vocabularies)
01.110 Tehnična dokumentacija za Technical product
izdelke documentation
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.
International
Standard
ISO 24183
First edition
Technical communication —
2024-01
Vocabulary
Communication technique — Vocabulaire
Reference number
© ISO 2024
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, no part of this publication may
be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, or posting on
the internet or an intranet, without prior written permission. Permission can be requested from either ISO at the address below
or ISO’s member body in the country of the requester.
ISO copyright office
CP 401 • Ch. de Blandonnet 8
CH-1214 Vernier, Geneva
Phone: +41 22 749 01 11
Email: copyright@iso.org
Website: www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland
ii
Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction .v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
3.1 Core concepts .1
3.2 Concepts relating to users .3
3.3 Concepts relating to product and information life cycles .4
3.4 Concepts relating to information for use .5
3.5 Concepts relating to information creators .6
3.6 Concepts relating to the information development process .7
3.6.1 Research and analysis .7
3.6.2 Content-related processes . .8
3.6.3 Translation and localization.8
3.6.4 Risk management processes .9
3.6.5 Principles of information quality .10
3.6.6 Tools and resources .11
3.7 Concepts relating to information product elements .11
3.7.1 General .11
3.7.2 Safety-related information . 12
3.7.3 Lists and tables . 13
3.7.4 Directories . 13
3.7.5 Pointers .14
3.7.6 Status indicators .14
3.8 Concepts relating to information products.14
3.8.1 General .14
3.8.2 Information products according to life cycle phases . 15
3.8.3 Catalogues .17
3.8.4 Diagrams .17
3.9 Concepts relating to information delivery .17
Annex A (informative) Concept models . 19
Bibliography .21
Index .23
iii
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through
ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee
has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations,
governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely
with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are described
in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the different types
of ISO document should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the editorial rules of the
ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www.iso.org/directives).
ISO draws attention to the possibility that the implementation of this document may involve the use of (a)
patent(s). ISO takes no position concerning the evidence, validity or applicability of any claimed patent
rights in respect thereof. As of the date of publication of this document, ISO had not received notice of (a)
patent(s) which may be required to implement this document. However, implementers are cautioned that
this may not represent the latest information, which may be obtained from the patent database available at
www.iso.org/patents. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation of the voluntary nature of standards, the meaning of ISO specific terms and expressions
related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to the World Trade
Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), see www.iso.org/iso/foreword.html.
This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 37, Language and terminology.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www.iso.org/members.html.
iv
Introduction
Suppliers of goods and services provide information for the use of their products, such as instructions,
manuals, service information, information for assembly or troubleshooting information. Technical
communication is the process of defining, creating and delivering these information products for the safe,
effective and efficient use of supported products.
A standardized common terminology as provided in this document helps to prevent misunderstandings
and disputes between acquirers and suppliers of information products as well as between manufacturers
and customers. A standardized terminology for technical communication will support both acquirers and
suppliers of information products. Organizations that provide information products can formulate more
precise requirements, and providers can deliver information products according to specifications.
A standardized common terminology also helps to foster mutual understanding, both within the technical
communication community and in contact with other relevant communities, such as the language services
industry. Furthermore, this document can be used as a basis for researching and teaching technical
communication in various settings.
Annex A contains two concept models that illustrate the interrelations between some key concepts in
technical communication.
v
International Standard ISO 24183:2024(en)
Technical communication — Vocabulary
1 Scope
This document defines terms for the theory and application of technical communication. It prepares the
terminological background for all other standards in the field of technical communication by providing
precise definitions and standardized terms for basic concepts in this domain.
This document is applicable to persons creating information products in the field of technical communication
or using these information products professionally.
2 Normative references
There are no normative references in this document.
3 Terms and definitions
ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https:// www .iso .org/ obp
— IEC Electropedia: available at https:// www .electropedia .org/
3.1 Core concepts
3.1.1
technical communication
DEPRECATED: technical writing
process of defining and creating information for use (3.1.2) to be delivered as information products (3.1.4) for
the safe, effective and efficient use of a supported product (3.1.5) throughout its life cycle
Note 1 to entry: Technical communication includes all modes, such as text (3.7.1.2), image, audio (3.7.1.3) and all media,
e.g. printed manuals, tutorial videos, online help (3.8.1.2).
Note 2 to entry: The term "technical writing" should not be used as a synonym for "technical communication" as it is
considered a part of a technical communication.
Note 3 to entry: In some contexts, the term "technical communication" can refer to more general communicative acts
concerning products, such as e-mail communication between engineers.
3.1.2
information for use
information identified and collected during the information development process
3.1.3
product
result of an action or process
Note 1 to entry: Products can be physical products, technical systems, software and services.
3.1.4
information product
product (3.1.3) consisting of information for use (3.1.2) that is delivered for the safe, effective and efficient
use of a supported product (3.1.5)
Note 1 to entry: Information products can also be generated during runtime of a content delivery system.
Note 2 to entry: Information products can contain con
...
International
Standard
ISO 24183
First edition
Technical communication —
2024-01
Vocabulary
Communication technique — Vocabulaire
Reference number
© ISO 2024
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, no part of this publication may
be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, or posting on
the internet or an intranet, without prior written permission. Permission can be requested from either ISO at the address below
or ISO’s member body in the country of the requester.
ISO copyright office
CP 401 • Ch. de Blandonnet 8
CH-1214 Vernier, Geneva
Phone: +41 22 749 01 11
Email: copyright@iso.org
Website: www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland
ii
Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction .v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
3.1 Core concepts .1
3.2 Concepts relating to users .3
3.3 Concepts relating to product and information life cycles .4
3.4 Concepts relating to information for use .5
3.5 Concepts relating to information creators .6
3.6 Concepts relating to the information development process .7
3.6.1 Research and analysis .7
3.6.2 Content-related processes . .8
3.6.3 Translation and localization.8
3.6.4 Risk management processes .9
3.6.5 Principles of information quality .10
3.6.6 Tools and resources .11
3.7 Concepts relating to information product elements .11
3.7.1 General .11
3.7.2 Safety-related information . 12
3.7.3 Lists and tables . 13
3.7.4 Directories . 13
3.7.5 Pointers .14
3.7.6 Status indicators .14
3.8 Concepts relating to information products.14
3.8.1 General .14
3.8.2 Information products according to life cycle phases . 15
3.8.3 Catalogues .17
3.8.4 Diagrams .17
3.9 Concepts relating to information delivery .17
Annex A (informative) Concept models . 19
Bibliography .21
Index .23
iii
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through
ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee
has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations,
governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely
with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are described
in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the different types
of ISO document should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the editorial rules of the
ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www.iso.org/directives).
ISO draws attention to the possibility that the implementation of this document may involve the use of (a)
patent(s). ISO takes no position concerning the evidence, validity or applicability of any claimed patent
rights in respect thereof. As of the date of publication of this document, ISO had not received notice of (a)
patent(s) which may be required to implement this document. However, implementers are cautioned that
this may not represent the latest information, which may be obtained from the patent database available at
www.iso.org/patents. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation of the voluntary nature of standards, the meaning of ISO specific terms and expressions
related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to the World Trade
Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), see www.iso.org/iso/foreword.html.
This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 37, Language and terminology.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www.iso.org/members.html.
iv
Introduction
Suppliers of goods and services provide information for the use of their products, such as instructions,
manuals, service information, information for assembly or troubleshooting information. Technical
communication is the process of defining, creating and delivering these information products for the safe,
effective and efficient use of supported products.
A standardized common terminology as provided in this document helps to prevent misunderstandings
and disputes between acquirers and suppliers of information products as well as between manufacturers
and customers. A standardized terminology for technical communication will support both acquirers and
suppliers of information products. Organizations that provide information products can formulate more
precise requirements, and providers can deliver information products according to specifications.
A standardized common terminology also helps to foster mutual understanding, both within the technical
communication community and in contact with other relevant communities, such as the language services
industry. Furthermore, this document can be used as a basis for researching and teaching technical
communication in various settings.
Annex A contains two concept models that illustrate the interrelations between some key concepts in
technical communication.
v
International Standard ISO 24183:2024(en)
Technical communication — Vocabulary
1 Scope
This document defines terms for the theory and application of technical communication. It prepares the
terminological background for all other standards in the field of technical communication by providing
precise definitions and standardized terms for basic concepts in this domain.
This document is applicable to persons creating information products in the field of technical communication
or using these information products professionally.
2 Normative references
There are no normative references in this document.
3 Terms and definitions
ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https:// www .iso .org/ obp
— IEC Electropedia: available at https:// www .electropedia .org/
3.1 Core concepts
3.1.1
technical communication
DEPRECATED: technical writing
process of defining and creating information for use (3.1.2) to be delivered as information products (3.1.4) for
the safe, effective and efficient use of a supported product (3.1.5) throughout its life cycle
Note 1 to entry: Technical communication includes all modes, such as text (3.7.1.2), image, audio (3.7.1.3) and all media,
e.g. printed manuals, tutorial videos, online help (3.8.1.2).
Note 2 to entry: The term "technical writing" should not be used as a synonym for "technical communication" as it is
considered a part of a technical communication.
Note 3 to entry: In some contexts, the term "technical communication" can refer to more general communicative acts
concerning products, such as e-mail communication between engineers.
3.1.2
information for use
information identified and collected during the information development process
3.1.3
product
result of an action or process
Note 1 to entry: Products can be physical products, technical systems, software and services.
3.1.4
information product
product (3.1.3) consisting of information for use (3.1.2) that is delivered for the safe, effective and efficient
use of a supported product (3.1.5)
Note 1 to entry: Information products can also be generated during runtime of a content delivery system.
Note 2 to entry: Information products can contain conceptual information (3.4.2), instructional information (3.4.3) or
reference information (3.4.4).
Note 3 to entry: Information products come in various forms, such as manuals (3.8.1.1) or online help (3.8.1.2).
3.1.5
supported product
product (3.1.3) to which an information product (3.1.4) relates
EXAMPLE
— industrial products (e.g. machinery, components, devices, equipment);
— consumer products (e.g. household appliances, audio-visual devices, communication devices, do-it-
yourself products);
— medical devices, equipment and systems;
— complex systems of systems (e.g. industrial plants, refineries, production sites, data centres);
— means of transport (e.g. cars, trucks, ships, airplanes);
— application software (e.g. office software, web applications);
— software for operation and automatic control of systems;
— technical services.
Note 1 to entry: An information product is an essential component of a supported pro
...
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