• The University of Sheffield

Technical Report Writing for Engineers

Get an introduction to technical report writing. Find out how to communicate your ideas through well-written engineering reports.

26,886 enrolled on this course

A top-down view of an engineer's desk with laptop, safety helmet, calculator, ruler, and handwritten calculations. In the centre is a sheet of grid paper with the words Technical Report Writing for Engineers printed.

Technical Report Writing for Engineers

26,886 enrolled on this course

  • 6 weeks

  • 3 hours per week

  • Digital certificate when eligible

  • Introductory level

Find out more about how to join this course

Learn to communicate effectively through technical report writing

Technical reports are a vital tool for engineers to communicate their ideas. This online course introduces technical report writing and teaches the techniques you need to construct well-written engineering reports.

Each week, we’ll look at a key section of a technical report and the skills needed to write it. You’ll cover areas such as referencing and citations; presenting equations; diagrams and data; and using language and tenses correctly.

We’ll also talk to practising engineers, as well as students and educators who write and mark technical reports, who’ll give their hands-on advice.

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Skip to 0 minutes and 5 seconds Technical engineering reports are vital tools for engineers to communicate. But often inconsistencies and inaccuracies bring confusion or delay to projects. Engineering students, recent graduates, new employees, and even established engineers need to convey sensitive and complex information in a clear and accurate manner when they enter the workplace, and the technical engineering report is usually the best way to do it.

Skip to 0 minutes and 35 seconds This free online course from The University of Sheffield will look at how this important type of document is constructed by breaking it down into its component parts. We’ll examine the qualities of a successful report and teach you the techniques required to communicate your opinions and ideas with other engineers. We’ll explore how engineering reports should be written and structured. We’ll offer a step-by-step guide to each section with what to include and exclude, mistakes to avoid, and the correct use of language. After all, a successful project - and career - starts with a successful report.

What topics will you cover?

  • Why technical reports are important for communicating ideas and concepts
  • The anatomy of a technical report
  • How to write aims and objectives
  • Citing and referencing
  • Presenting equations and nomenclature
  • Figures, diagrams and labelling
  • Presenting data
  • Units, precision and errors
  • Use of language and tense
  • How and why to write discussion sessions
  • Writing an abstract

When would you like to start?

Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.

  • Available now

Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

  • Explain what a good technical engineering report is and what they are used for.
  • Evaluate what a good report looks like.
  • Use a technical report to communicate information.
  • Apply knowledge of what goes into the key sections of a report to produce your own report.

Who is the course for?

This course is designed for both student and professional engineers. It will teach you the technical report writing skills you need to tackle everything from a two-page document to a PhD thesis. As such, it will be applicable for the entirety of your engineering degree or career.

Who will you learn with?

I'm the Head of Department in the University of Sheffield's £81 million teaching facility, the Diamond. I'm an engineer that teaches fluids, thermo and CFD. Follow me on twitter @fluidsandthermo

Who developed the course?

The University of Sheffield

The University of Sheffield is one of the world’s top 100 universities with a reputation for teaching and research excellence.

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Ways to learn

Choose the best way to learn for you!

Subscribe & save

$27.99

For the first two months. Automatically renews

Develop skills to further your career

  • Access to this course
  • Access to 1,000+ courses
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Digital certificate when you're eligible

Cancel for free anytime

Buy this course

$134/one-off payment

Fulfill your current learning need

  • Access to this course
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Printed and digital certificate when you’re eligible

Limited access

Free

Sample the course materials

  • Access expires 9 May 2024

Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)

T&Cs apply.

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  • Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
  • Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
  • Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores

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  • Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
  • Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
  • Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others

Map your progress

  • As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
  • Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
  • Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate

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