Technical communicators—both writers and editors—should know their inherent abilities, and how these abilities interface with related occupations. Publications supervisors and managers can also benefit from this knowledge by applying it to improve their units' functional efficiency. By using the Job and Talent Matrix—occupation blocks fitted into a lattice of aptitudes—we can define the general attributes of technical writers/editors, and establish their interrelationships with people from associated professions such as engineers.

Technical editors are a unique group that fit neither the pure literary nor the pure technical mold. They must interface these two opposite-polarity disciplines, which is a formidable task. The talent to accomplish this task is required for a qualified editor. Knowledge of background traits and aptitudes, which can be discerned by analyzing the modus operandi of practicing editors, can be valuable in identifying and using technical editors for optimum effectivity in the organization.