Documentation

Documentation should be…

  • Precursory (start documentation before implementation)
  • Participatory (include all stakeholders to document in different forms)

Content should be…

  • ARID (accept repetition in documentation)
  • Skimmable (have good structures that allow quick overviews)
  • Exemplary (include some examples)
  • Consistent (language and formatting)
  • Current (keep docs up to date)

Sources should be…

  • Nearby (close to code)
  • Unique (avoid parallel maintenance)

Publications should be…

  • Discoverable (where might the user look for docs)
  • Addressable (make sections and subsections addressable)
  • Cumulative (necessary basics first and then building up)
  • Complete (of the chosen characteristics)
  • Beautiful (“Visual style should be intentional and aesthetically pleasing.“)

A documentation body should be…

  • Comprehensive (answer all questions a user might have)

See also