What professional is responsible for writing user manuals?

Question

What I mean in my question is, what type of profession requires one to write user manuals for a living?

Answer 1

Technical Writing is the right profession. There are some standards for a user manual that has to be followed.



In case of an end user application it is not recommended for programmer or developer himself to write the end user manual since he does not have an idea about user's perspective, but he can document his software and code, send a technical document or instructions to technical writer who can easily convert to simple user manual that end users can follow with ease.



Wikipedia links provide the perfect info about this profession.

Answer 2

Software developers have to write user manuals so people know how to use their programs.



Though just about everything these days requires a user manual, especially if you want your users to understand your product. A better question would be what doesnt require a user manual, you can assume everything else needs a manual.



You don't have to write a manual, but the users dont have to use your program either, and if they dont know how to use it then they are going to look at it once and never look at it again.

Answer 3

Manual authors are usually specialized technical writers (they have both technical acumen and writing skills). They have to know just enough of the technical material to explain it to the readers, but usually aren't required to have the in-depth knowledge necessary for things like troubleshooting or designing.

Answer 4

Technical Writer