
660 Part III n Information Quality Applied to Core Business Value Circles
English. NATO has coined a term, “interoperability,” which means combined
forces can service the others’ equipment.
The following list describes writing characteristics that cause miscommu-
nication. This list is followed by a list of error-proofing techniques used in
Simplified Technical English.
Characteristics of Poorly Written Communications:
Weak phrases like “is intended for use” adds
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no Information.
Text
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is dense and not easy to read in an emergency.
The use of the
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slash or “either or” is not legal and causes exposure to
liability claims.
Long sentences
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reduce readability. The US Navy requires no more than 17
words or less per sentence. Controlled English recommends 21 words or
less per sentence.
The authors of Figure 14-5 ignored what happens after the nine minutes
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are up.
The lack of white space intimidates readers who use English as second
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language.
Characteristics of Simplified Technical English and Controlled English:
Text authored for global readers in 191 countries
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English grammar and syntax is simplified for use in an emergency.
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A simplified term like “loss of power” is a synonym for the more ambigu-
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ous “power failure.”
The STE text is 30 percent smaller and translates into significant cost savings.
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While Simplified Technical English (STE) is designed specifically for aero-
space, two versio ...