The Engineering Presentation—Some Ideas on How to Approach and Present It

For communication between speaker and audience to be successful, it must be the culmination of a preparation process started long before, one which included a carefully thought‐out speaker‐audience interaction scenario. The chapter looks at high‐tech presentations in government and industry, covering the spectrum from audience analysis, planning, and rehearsing, to handling visuals, conveying confidence, and providing handouts. Based on the results of audience analysis, we can determine what and how much must be said to satisfy both your and the audience's needs. To help achieve these goals, this chapter presents some guidelines, pitfalls, and ideas on strategy. After all is said and done, remember that our audience is human, also. They are just as anxious to learn about the subject we are presenting as we are to teach them. The easier we make it for them, the easier our task will be, and the more favorable impression we will make.