Behind the scenes of our user manuals
User manuals are an essential part of every technical product. They describe functions, provide safety information and guide users through correct operation. From a legal standpoint, they are also a prerequisite for placing a product on the market. At STIHL Tirol, this crucial component of user information is produced in the “Information for Use” department, an area commonly referred to as Technical Documentation in many companies. This is where the manuals for our ground-based gardening tools are developed and continually updated.
How user manuals are created
Although standardised content modules are used, each product must be understood in detail. The writers work closely with colleagues from Design, Testing and other specialist departments to achieve this. Together, they review operating processes on the machine itself, identify potential problem areas and formulate the necessary safety instructions.
While functional aspects are central to the work, the manuals must also meet all legal and standards-related requirements. This calls for close coordination with the Certification and Legal departments to ensure, for example, that every safety requirement is implemented precisely.
Graphics, translations and publication
Clear graphics play an important role alongside text. The editors in Tyrol decide where each type of illustration is needed and make minor adjustments themselves. New images are usually produced by external service providers.
Once editing is complete, each user manual undergoes an internal review before being sent to translation partners, who translate it into up to 31 languages. The final step is publication. This involves compiling the language packs that have been defined for each product type and sending them to print.
Teamwork across locations
The Information for Use team in Tyrol consists of a team lead, two technical writers and a coordinator for translation and publication. The team works with an XML-based editorial system comprising several thousand modules – a system that is constantly evolving, as user manuals are never static and must be adapted to new standards, new markets and new products. The team also works closely with colleagues at STIHL headquarters in Waiblingen, Germany, as well as with international teams across the STIHL Group.
Key figures
- 171 different product manuals, 33 engine operating manuals and supplementary leaflets
- Almost 900 translation and publication processes per year
- 31 languages, including less common languages such as Bahasa Indonesia
Every day, the department ensures that users around the world receive clear, safe and reliable information that enables them to operate STIHL tools as intended.
