Introduction

Technical documentation is an essential part of a materiel delivery. It includes materiel publications, drawings and facility information.

It supports the safe and efficient use, maintenance and repair of the materiel throughout its service life.

For suppliers delivering to the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV), technical documentation is not a separate deliverable – it is an integral part of the delivered product.

More than a manual

Technical documentation comprises far more than a user manual.

Together, the different materiel publications support the use, operation, maintenance and logistical support of the materiel throughout its life cycle.

In FMV procurements, the documentation is often divided into operator documentation and technical personnel documentation. Both may consist of several materiel publications tailored to the information needs of their intended audience.

Operator documentation

Operator documentation is intended for operators of the materiel and contains the information required for safe operation, inspection and routine maintenance.

Technical personnel documentation

Technical personnel documentation is intended for technicians and other qualified technical personnel.

It contains the information required for inspection, troubleshooting, maintenance, repair, modification and other advanced maintenance tasks.

Different audiences need different information

An operator and a technician work with the same materiel – but have different information needs.

Operators need clear instructions to operate the materiel safely and carry out daily inspections.

Technicians need more detailed information for inspection, troubleshooting, maintenance, repair and, in some cases, modification of the materiel.

The documentation therefore consists of several different publications, with content, structure, language and level of detail tailored to each audience.

What may the documentation include?

The publications required depend on the materiel and the customer’s requirements, but common examples include:

• Instruction manual
• Repair manual
• Materiel maintenance schedule
• Spare parts catalogue
• List of accessories
• Technical orders
• Digital instructions
• Training materials

Depending on the materiel system, other materiel publications may also be required.

Together, they ensure that the right information is available to the right person at the right time.

An investment in the materiel’s entire life cycle

The documentation is not only needed at the time of delivery. It must remain usable throughout the materiel’s entire life cycle – sometimes for several decades.

Well-prepared documentation contributes to:

• safer operation
• more effective training
• easier maintenance
• greater operational availability
• lower life-cycle costs
• fewer errors and misunderstandings

For the supplier, this means better control over schedules and costs. For users of the materiel, it means that the right information is available when it is needed.

Summary

For suppliers to FMV, technical documentation is far more than a user manual.

It is essential to ensure that the materiel can be operated, maintained and supported safely and efficiently throughout its entire life cycle – often for several decades.