Overview
ISO 24183:2024 - Technical communication - Vocabulary defines standardized terms and definitions for the theory and application of technical communication. The standard establishes a common terminological foundation for other standards in the field and is applicable to anyone creating or professionally using information products (manuals, online help, tutorials, safety instructions) that support a product throughout its life cycle.
Key topics and contents
ISO 24183 organizes vocabulary across concept groups to ensure clarity and interoperability in technical communication:
- Core concepts: technical communication, information for use, information product, supported product, content, technical documentation, single source publishing, terminology, translatability.
- User-related concepts: user, target audience, skilled person.
- Product and life cycle: product life cycle, life cycle phases (installation, operation, maintenance, disposal).
- Information for use: conceptual, instructional and reference information types.
- Information creators and processes: roles (technical communicator), research and analysis, content development, translation and localization, and risk management.
- Information quality and tools: principles and criteria for information quality (completeness, consistency) and information product quality (usability, readability); style guides and content-structuring methods.
- Information product elements: safety-related information, lists, tables, directories, pointers, status indicators.
- Information delivery and formats: printed, audio, video, online, and runtime-generated content.
- Annex A provides concept models illustrating relationships between key concepts.
Practical applications
ISO 24183 is designed to improve consistency, reduce misunderstandings, and support contract clarity and product safety by supplying a shared vocabulary. Typical uses:
- Preparing and specifying technical documentation and information products for hardware, software, medical devices, vehicles, industrial systems and services.
- Producing or procuring user manuals, installation guides, maintenance procedures, and safety instructions.
- Guiding translation and localization efforts by clarifying terms like translatability and terminology work.
- Developing style guides, single-source publishing strategies, and content-structuring methods to improve information quality and reuse.
- Teaching, researching, and harmonizing terminology in technical communication and language services.
Who should use this standard
- Technical communicators, content strategists, and documentation managers
- Manufacturers, suppliers and acquirers of information products
- Localization and language service providers
- Safety, regulatory and quality assurance teams
- Educators and researchers in technical communication
Related standards
ISO 24183 references and aligns with existing terminology and standards such as:
- ISO 1087 (Terminology)
- ISO 20539 (Content-related concepts)
- IEC/IEEE 82079-1:2019 (Information for use)
- ISO 15226 (Product life cycle concepts)
Keywords: ISO 24183, technical communication, vocabulary, information product, technical documentation, information for use, terminology, single source publishing, translation and localization, information quality.
