Technical Author and Content Designer
Clear, high-quality documentation is essential for any business.
Operations slow, compliance gaps appear, and critical processes stall without accurate policies and procedures. And assets, such as APIs, must be documented thoroughly to de-risk catastrophic loss or ransomware attacks.
Inaccurate or incomplete public-facing information can slow delivery, frustrate users, and erode trust, shaping how your organisation is perceived.
Technical writing is an intensive, immersive process requiring deep stakeholder engagement and collaboration.
Every document must be written for a defined audience, using a style that reflects their needs and, where appropriate, the organisation’s brand voice.
Information must be conveyed without ambiguity and highly consumable; if the reader has to re-read a paragraph, the document has failed.
I’m a Technical Author and Content Designer with over 25 years' experience.
My work spans complex system documentation for heavy engineering, to policy writing and technical communications, translating expert knowledge into clear, compliant, and accessible content.
I’ve written about AI for many years – and even designed ML algorithms – helping organisations apply AI to documentation, from prompt engineering to content strategy.
My role often bridges technical authorship and content strategy, aligning documentation with digital transformation and user experience goals.
I work with clients worldwide, including the UK, Europe, North America, Asia, and the Middle East, delivering accuracy, consistency, and compliance across every project.
Writing has always been my passion, and I bring that same enthusiasm to every project.
Technical Writing
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Technical manuals
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Operating procedures
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Maintenance guides
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User guides
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API and developers' documentation
AI
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Prompt design and optimisation
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AI detection and humanising
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Ethical and compliance assurance
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Requirements analysis
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Automating document workflows
Content Design
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UI copywriting for any digital platform
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Audience segmentation and analysis
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Uniform taxonomy and labelling
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Active over passive voice
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Proper use of imperative
Typesetting & Design
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Digital (RGB) and print (CMYK)
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Layouts for books, newsletters, etc
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Complex forms design
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Website / Help / Wiki platforms
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Bromide / film production
Documentation Strategy
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Document type analysis
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Structure definitions in SGML or XML
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Code base and API solutions
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Repository and publishing platforms
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Future and backwards compatibility
Government
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Government Digital Service (GDS)
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Decades-long work history
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Defence (MoD, Navy, Army)
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Agriculture (Defra, RPA)
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Healthcare (NHS, DoH)
Industries
I have worked in the following industries:
Banking and financial
AI
Software development
Defence
Aviation and avionics
Pharmaceuticals
Mechanical engineering
Automotive
Energy
Agriculture
Clients
Previous clients include:
Previous clients include: Alitalia; Alstom Rolling Stock; Audi; BBC; Bentley; British Aerospace; British Airways; British Library; British Rail Engineering; BT; Channel 4; Defra; Deutsche Bank; European Space Agency (ESA); Ferranti International; General Electric Company; Inmarsat; Legal & General; Lloyds Banking Group (LBG); Microtecnica; Ministry of Defence; Motorola; Natural History Museum (NHM); NHS; PA Consulting; Philips; Plessey; President of the United States (POTUS); Redifon Flight Simulators; Reuters; Rolls Royce; Royal Mail; Siemens; Smithkline Beecham; Underground; VW.
Over the years, I have evolved a method of working that maximises my productivity and the quality of what I write. I am very fast and pride myself on very few amends, if any, being required for the first draft.
I have a thorough understanding of adjacent disciplines including research, design, technical illustrators, developers, etc. But very often – usually, in fact – I am the team.
The first priority for me is to get a deep understanding of the product and the target audience (I often define different document types for audience segmentation).
I often draw up the technical illustrations or can arrange for these services if they are not available to the client.
I regularly provide typesetting and film production for print, or digital deployment through a wide range of platforms.
I then deep-dive research, liaising with business, technical and mechanical stakeholders, depending on the nature of the project. I prefer to do this face-to-face, although this is not always possible.
The writing itself is done remotely – this has always been the case (nothing to do with Covid). Much more productive.
I have included a few very brief case studies to illustrate the kind of work I do. It is a poor substitute for a conversation, however, so please do contact me to discuss the nature of your requirement. No harm in a phone call.
I devised and wrote the system for collating clinical trials data for big pharma (Glaxo and others). This is the basis for a New Drug Application (NDA) for every new product, submitted to regulatory authorities (such as the FDA and EMA) for approval. This is truly big data and can run into millions of pages for each drug. I also carried out the document type analysis, identified mandatory/optional requirements, etc., and structured the documentation in SGML.
I wrote the Technical Services Manual for Volkswagen Audi Group. This was a considerable piece of work documenting all maintenance and repair procedures for every model across the two brands. I prepared comprehensive illustrations to complement the procedural steps. I deployed the finished product both in print and digitally for use in a heads-up display available to mechanics as they worked.
I documented the Eureka satellite system launched and operated by the European Space Agency (ESA). This covered full ground control operations, including navigation, payload deployment, instrumentation and data-gathering, onboard experiments, communications, alerts and disaster recovery. Much of what I wrote was repurposed for ESA’s subsequent Galileo satellites.
I have written about AI in financial risk management for a number of banking clients. For example, fraud detection in card payments, and exposure to risk through corporate financing. Audience segmentation is always wide-ranging on FS projects (business, compliance, underwriters, etc.) which involves different document types and writing styles. As well as documenting at system level, including business functions and processes, I documented the AI engine and API.
I’m available for contract, associate, or freelance work, remote or hybrid.
Contact: colin@colinshanley.com
Connect: LinkedIn
