Investing in Strong Documentation

I like to view documentation as a strategic investment. When we dedicate time and energy to crafting comprehensive documentation, it pays dividends over time—this is what I refer to as the Return on Investment (ROI) of Documentation. The returns manifest in various forms, and the purpose of this article is to share my perspective on documentation and how to maximize its benefits.

The most immediate benefit of documentation is the consolidation of concepts, which enhances our understanding of the subject matter. There have been numerous instances where I uncovered minor details during the documentation process that I might have overlooked otherwise. This practice offers a fresh perspective.

A well-structured documentation system serves as the authoritative source of truth. By achieving this, we save significant time that Engineers would otherwise spend searching for information—a critical factor since, as we know, time equates to money. This efficiency allows others to quickly find the information they need independently and reduces repetitive inquiries. When someone asks about a topic, you can simply share the documentation link, saving both parties valuable time.

Furthermore, just as this article aims to impart knowledge to you, documentation facilitates knowledge sharing within your organization. Clarity and accessibility of information are essential for fostering an informed team.

As you might already perceive, there is indeed a substantial return on the time invested in documentation, and this return can be leveraged in numerous ways. As Engineers, our goal is to achieve maximum efficiency with the time we allocate.

Embracing Efficient Tools

We are known for utilizing tools that streamline our work processes. One such tool that has significantly enhanced my documentation efforts is PlantUML. This open-source tool allows users to generate UML diagrams using a straightforward text language. It integrates seamlessly with Visual Studio Code, making the documentation process far more efficient. Imagine not having to spend hours in an editor trying to perfect the layout of a class diagram!

For example, consider the following UML code snippet for a simple class diagram:

@startuml

class Student {

int StudentId

string FullName

string Address

string SchoolYear

}

class Family {

int NumberOfMember

string LanguageSpoken

string CountryOfBirth

}

class Father {

string FullName

Date BirthDate

}

class Mother {

string FullName

Date BirthDate

}

Student --> Family

Family --> Father

Family --> Mother

@enduml

This example merely scratches the surface of what PlantUML can do. A major advantage is the ability to store diagram definitions in a source control repository, simplifying maintenance.

The Importance of Living Documentation

Finally, let's discuss the concept of Living Documentation, which I believe is vital for maximizing the ROI of documentation. Often, documentation is created when a new feature is implemented, but it can quickly become outdated if updates are not recorded. Stale documentation is almost as useless as having none at all, as it can mislead users.

It’s crucial to keep documentation current. Initially, it may be challenging, but over time, maintaining it will become second nature. You’ll soon find that you’re recouping the time spent on documentation rather than wasting it on outdated material.

In conclusion, you now understand the primary benefits of documentation, its essential characteristics, a valuable tool for diagram creation, and the importance of keeping your documentation up to date. I must admit that I wasn't always a proponent of documentation, but I’ve come to appreciate its benefits—how it saves time and facilitates knowledge sharing.

The advantages I've gained are the returns on my investment in documentation, and like any good investor, I aim to maximize what my documentation yields. This represents the ROI of Documentation.

Nelson out!