As an engineer, sharing your project narrative can be an essential part of the job, especially if you need to communicate it to other team members who may not have your technical expertise. Unfortunately, this can be more complicated than many realize, as you are expected to inform while ensuring that everyone's attenuation remains in the room. This post will explore six tips that should help guide you through your presentation without the need for overly complex jargon and in a way that retains attention throughout.
Use the right tools at your disposal
As someone who has dedicated their life to the more technical side of things, you should be relatively skilled in using a variety of programs like AutoCAD or Solidworks, etc. tools, you will find it much more accessible (not to mention enjoyable) to present everything you want to say in a way that is accessible to everyone in the room. These days, you have lots of options, including programs like an AI presentation maker that can take your inputs and outputs, something even the most skilled middle manager would be proud of! When you understand how to use the options at your disposal, it becomes much easier to create presentations that allow you to portray complex ideas in a way that is easily digested by those who may not be completely familiar with the subject. On the other hand, the right tools will also allow you to communicate your project without limitations to other engineers.
Set the scene
Before getting into any complicated topics, you need to set the stage that will provide context for your overall presentation. Providing a brief overview of the project without delving into technical details can help the audience understand what the project is about. The more accessible your introduction is, the better you will engage your listeners, allowing them to understand what you have to say, resulting in a much better outcome than if you went straight to the formalities. Setting the scene may seem like a cavalier way of saying, “Write an introduction,” but it’s much more than that. It generates a way to hook your listeners into the program and get their attention. While no one is expecting Tony Robbin's levels of charisma and clarity, you need to make an effort to draw everyone's eyes to you and your carefully crafted presentation.
Customize the process
Personalization helps your storytelling connect with your audience. Discuss the challenges you faced, the team's reaction, and how you worked collectively to overcome the obstacles. This human element allows the story to resonate with listeners outside of its area. In other words, instead of immediately jumping into the main topic of the presentation, take a few minutes to let your audience know who you (or your company) are and why they should listen to you. Not only will this create a better connection between you and everyone else, but it will also prove to them that you are worth taking the time to listen to.
Feed them the facts
As a hot-blooded engineer, you will inevitably understand that data is an invaluable part of any engineering story. Clearly presenting key statistics and results substantiates your argument and provides the hard evidence needed to convince stakeholders of the project's value. This is particularly vital if your presentation aims to garner support for an ongoing or emerging project in which you need to convince those who have money to invest.
Untangle technical terms for clarity
Engineers are often surrounded by specialized language that can alienate those outside the industry. To make your story understandable:
- Translate these technical terms into everyday language.
- Avoid jargon when you can, delegating it to supplementary materials if necessary. If necessary, you can use visuals to make the data simpler to understand.
- Consider using diagrams, graphs, or even videos where they make sense to improve your communication.
Visuals can simplify complex concepts for the uninitiated, making your narrative easier to follow.
Give a final recap to consolidate the facts
End your story with a strong conclusion that brings together all aspects of your presentation. A well-crafted coup de grace can help cement your narrative in your listeners' minds, leaving them with a clear understanding of what you've achieved with your engineering work. In some ways, this may be more challenging than your introduction, but it is equally vital. So make sure you dedicate enough time to this and avoid treating it as anything less than a closing statement. This will ensure that your listeners remember everything you just recited, no matter how long it is.
Effective presentation skills are crucial for engineers to convey the technical details of their projects to technical and non-technical audiences. Engineers can deliver a successful presentation that engages and informs the audience by using the right tools, setting the scene, customizing the process, presenting the facts clearly, avoiding jargon, and providing a closing recap.
