Technical writing
“The greatest issue for engineers is the inability to see simplicity in complexity – how they strip away the complexity of a process or system and present it in a way that others can understand.”
Technical report writing and editing for Canberra Metro Light Rail Stage 1
Client: SMEC/Surbana Jurong
SMEC provides global engineering and consultancy expertise in the built environment, infrastructure and management advisory services operating across 40 countries.
“In 2016 Michael worked with our engineers in Canberra on the Light Rail Project, providing editorial services, copy editing and writing guidance for the technical reports we produced for the project’s main contractor John Holland. His input helped us achieve significant improvements and greater consistency with our reports for this major infrastructure project.”
Tim Chapman – Deputy CEO ASEAN Division, SMEC – Engineering Consultants
“As well as supplying one-to-one mentoring to team members on technical papers, Mike developed a customised training course for staff – WriteLab – exploring how to write more effectively in an engineering context and how to apply the Company’s editorial style guide.
“The course – specifically designed for our company’s needs – was well-received, and the feedback on Mike’s knowledge and ability as a trainer was extremely positive. I have no hesitation in recommending Mike as a technical writer, copy editor and training consultant.”
Sydney, October 2016. Completed Engineering Education Australia Pty Ltd certificated course ‘Writing Winning Technical Documents’ Engineers Australia Continuing Professional Development.
Editor
Breaking New Ground
“Breaking New Ground covers a period of enormous growth and expansion in GHD – one of the world’s leading professional services companies operating in the global market sectors of water, energy, resources and environment. It is a story of what can be achieved with a vision and clear purpose.
“We were very happy with the work undertaken by Michael as editor of Breaking New Ground – his ability to meet agreed deadlines, and particularly his style of writing.”
Russell Board, Chairman, GHD Group, 2017
“One of the great corporate stories of the 20th century, and now the 21st century, GHD’s narrative is a tale of huge ambition, leadership, imagination and the application of values.”
Breaking New Ground is a 500+ page/200,000-word corporate history
detailing the growth of GHD Group between 1988 and 2016.
The publication describes the people who drove that expansion, chronicles the development of the company’s operational areas – including energy and resources, properties and buildings, transport, water and environment – and reflects GHD’s geographic development globally.
Power and Water transmits and distributes electricity, and provides water and sewerage services, across Australia’s Northern Territory. A government-owned corporation, the multi-utility’s operations span 1.3 million square kilometres (520,000 square miles) of northern Australia.
In 2004/05 Michael Sweet was engaged by Power and Water to write and produce safety training and induction materials (print and audio-visual) for staff based at the company’s major electricity generation plants at Darwin, Katherine, Tennant Creek, Kings Canyon and Alice Springs.
Michael Sweet 