WHAT IS AN INSTRUCTIONAL FOR? MAIN USES - CULTURE VOCABULARY - 2024

The instructions are used to illustrate useful information on how to use a device or how to assemble an object. They may even contain instructions on how to organize or run a business.

These texts are guides that instruct or tell how to do something in particular. They are important because they allow more efficiency and reduce risks associated with the products.

For example, when you follow the steps or instructions in a user manual, you have less risk of damaging an appliance. Additionally, objects can be assembled correctly and in less time.

As for the instructions in companies, they are important since they demonstrate the correct way in which it should be handled.

These texts are useful because they can help solve problems within the organization by illustrating the steps to follow to solve problems.

Regardless of the way they are written or their particular purpose, the instructions are always very organized guides and should be easy to understand.

This is because the purpose of a manual is to tell someone the correct way to carry out an action.

The 6 main uses of an instructional

1- To limit legal liability

This is important as some products can cause serious injury or even death if used improperly.

It is necessary to follow an instruction especially in technical areas, such as when handling high voltage equipment, lasers and other intense light sources, mechanical tools and heat and fire generating equipment.

Placing the appropriate information in an instruction manual can warn the user of possible dangers.

In addition to taking care of people, the manufacturer can protect itself from serious legal consequences, since the warning is in writing.

In these cases, the warning labels must be placed in clearly visible places on the product.

2- To explain how to carry out an activity

This can manifest itself in many ways in various areas: from instruction manuals within companies stating their policies, to user manuals that explain how to configure a device.

On the one hand, a company's instruction manual must indicate which policy to follow on certain occasions and why it exists, while procedural instructions can illustrate how to carry out an activity related to said policy.

For example, a company may have an instruction manual for properly reporting an incident of sexual harassment or discrimination in the workplace. It is also useful for a company to have an instruction manual on the different activities carried out there.

If a new employee is hired, they can be given a written guide with their job instructions so that they learn their jobs more quickly.

Another example may include engineers who have a need to familiarize themselves with unfamiliar aspects of product lines; They can use a manual that explains those features.

When user documentation is appropriate it can create a gentle and efficient way for employees to catch up, making the business run better.

On the other hand, user manuals are useful in helping customers to assemble or use products with which they are not familiar.

The instructions allow the product to be assembled or used in the correct way without the customer having to resort to an expert or to the same company where it was purchased.

3- To create standard guidelines

This means that all employees in a company may know the rules of the company and how to comply with them.

An instruction manual also makes it possible for employees to learn about the processes carried out by the company.

Having the rules in writing, so that everyone can access them, gives employees the option to review them.

As a result, the work environment is more equitable, because everyone is responsible for the knowledge they gain.

4- To save time

If there is an accessible tutorial for company employees, they can review it when in doubt. In the long run, this saves everyone involved time.

Instead of wasting time answering these questions, the answers can be looked up in the manual, so that employees are responsible for their own knowledge.

The instructions also help save time when selling. The clearer the manual, the less time the salesperson will spend explaining to the customer how to use the device or showing them all the applications of its functions.

In order to achieve a good instructional that saves time, you need a good technical writer.

It is possible to create a good tutorial if the author tries to think like the client, in order to have a better idea of ​​the possible doubts that may arise, or if it is done by a third party who can offer an unbiased perspective.

5- To reflect a positive image

Technical documentation is a reflection of how the customer is treated. A company doesn't want the customer to get confused, upset, or think that the products are a waste of time because they are useless.

Sometimes technical documents allow the customer to relate to a product in a short period of time, making the creators happy and cultivating a good attitude towards the company.

This grants greater cooperation between those involved and creates successful customer testimonials.

If a company wants to demonstrate every positive aspect of its product, it will need to develop a good instructional that illustrates those details.

Users notice if the instructions for a certain product or company are poor or non-existent.

Today people need to absorb information as efficiently as possible, so a lack of quality documentation can have detrimental consequences for a business.

6- To explain how to maintain or repair equipment

The instructions should serve as a guide that has instructions for maintaining and repairing the equipment in the event of damage.

For example, a factory might have a service and maintenance manual for its conveyor belts, a computer manual might include what to do in case the screen freezes, and the phone's instructions might tell you how to clean it.

References

1. Instructive texts (2011). Recovered from bbc.co.uk
2. The purpose, content and structure of manuals. Recovered from study.com
3. What is the purpose of a user guide? Recovered from science.blurit.com
4. User's guide. Recovered from collinsdictionary.com
5. Benefit from a good user manual. Recovered from technicalwriting.eu
6. Don't forget that manual! Recovered from streetdirectory.com
7. Office manuals: importance and purpose. Recovered from study.com