Technical Communication, Group Differentiation, and the Decision to Launch the Space Shuttle Challenger

Journal of Technical Writing and Communication Jul 1988

Technical Communication, Group Differentiation, and the Decision to Launch the Space Shuttle Challenger

Roger C. Pace University of San Diego

Abstract

One lesson to be learned from the fatal decision to launch Challenger is that effective technical and group communication requires more than the fidelious exchange of information. This article examines testimony gathered by the Presidential Commission on the Challenger Accident and reveals communication failures in four dimensions of group differentiation—clarity, interrelatedness, centrality, and openness. The article illustrates all four dimensions with excerpts from the Commission Hearings and identifies communication problems peculiar to highly technical groups.

Journal: Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
Published: 1988-07-01
DOI: 10.2190/19lq-862p-pant-9t3v
Open Access: Closed
Topics: technical communication voice and style

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Cites in this index (0)

No references match articles in this index.

Also cites 11 works outside this index ↓

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CrossRef global citation count: 18 View in citation network →