Comment simplifiez-vous le jargon de l’ingénierie aérospatiale pour les parties prenantes non techniques ?

When communicating with non-technical stakeholders in the aerospace industry, it’s essential to focus on what matters most to them, like the financial or security impacts of a project. Instead of diving into technical details— like an increase in the angle of attack can cause more drag, and lead to higher fuel consumption—simplify the message: "This could mean higher fuel costs." It’s also helpful to use visual aids and focus on clear, active communication, which includes really listening to their concerns. Storytelling is another great way to make complex concepts more relatable. If done well, it can make even the most technical aspects of aerospace understandable to anyone. P.S.: A miniature aircraft model never hurt anyone.

Technical vocabulary has always been a jargon while communicating your knowledge with non-technical personnel. Its best to relate your knowledge to practical applications around you. The concepts we use for aerospace engineering can be related to most of the activities in other domains. The trick is to seek that knowledge and make good sense of it. Knowing your audience and being able to communicate and interact with them explaining the jargon in a language they feel comfortable is a skill and needs to practiced by most. We could use instances with water as fluid or movement of air over our palm in a breeze to make up our own explanations accordingly.

Analogies help simplify complex aerospace concepts by relating them to everyday experiences. For example, to explain how an aircraft wing generates lift, compare it to a bird's wing gliding through the air. Just as a bird’s wing creates lift to stay airborne, an aircraft wing uses air pressure differences to lift the plane. This approach makes technical ideas more relatable and easier to understand for non-technical stakeholders. Tailor analogies to match the audience’s experiences and knowledge to enhance clarity and retention.

Am I allowed to ask "WHY"? Will dumbing down Aerospace technology to suit (no pun intended) a bunch of Suits, make planes fly better? Crash more often, sure. "Jargon" is a precise, careful, clear way of communicating. Which is better? "Mass flow rate is cross-section area times speed times density" or "hey dude more stuff goes down the tubes if u pack it and make it bigger and put more oomph into it"? I am sure the latter is soooo much more "jargonless" for The Suits.

Visual aids are crucial for making abstract aerospace concepts more tangible. Diagrams, infographics, and models can clarify complex ideas like the function of a jet engine more effectively than text alone. By presenting information visually, stakeholders can intuitively grasp relationships and processes. Utilize charts to show data trends, models to illustrate physical structures, and virtual reality simulations for immersive experiences. These tools help demystify technical details and enhance understanding for non-technical audiences.

Sometimes acronyms add to the overall clarity by avoiding repetition of a word group. Just make sure that the first usage clearly defines the acronym.

To communicate effectively with non-experts, use simple, clear language. Avoid jargon and technical terms unless you provide straightforward explanations. For example, instead of "the aircraft's lift-to-drag ratio," describe it as "how well the plane flies through the air compared to the resistance it encounters." This approach makes complex aerospace concepts more understandable and ensures your message is easily grasped by a broader audience.

When communicating with non-technical stakeholders, emphasize how aerospace engineering concepts impact their specific concerns. Instead of delving into the details of material stress testing, explain how it affects safety and maintenance costs. Relate technical information to practical outcomes, such as budget implications, safety improvements, and project timelines. This approach ensures that stakeholders see the direct relevance of engineering decisions to their interests and needs, making the information more meaningful and actionable.