Software documentation can be described as any type of documentation that explains how a software has been developed, works, or is used. However, depending on the audience, the specific type of documentation may be different.
Types of Software Documentation
Though there are many different types of software documentation, the grand majority of these fall into two main categories: product documentation and process documentation.
Product Documentation
Product documentation is best described as a series of documents that cover the software’s specifications and how to use it. This type of documentation is often written with the end user in mind, providing them with the necessary information to understand, install, and use the software. Some examples of product documentation are installation manuals, source code, and help guides.
Process Documentation
Quite different from product documentation, process documentation is often written with everyone but the end user in mind. Process documentation keeps track of the business and technical occurrences that happen while the software is being developed. This documentation is written with software developers and company project managers in mind, giving them a trail of goals, reports, and correspondence to refer back to. Some examples of process documentation are project outlines, meeting notes, and test results.
Benefits of Software Documentation
Comprehensive software documentation is essential in order to maintain organization during the development process and achieve a user-friendly software. Technical writers are crucial to creating this documentation and their skills can boost the numerous benefits of software documentation, such as…
- Increased knowledge transfer between developers
- Clear documentation of the database makes later software additions easier
- Minimized learning curve of new team members
- Boosts team-wide coordination and collaboration
- Record to return to if problems with the software arise, both during or after production
- Improved efficiency of maintenance work
- Transparency in development and correspondence reduces waste of funds, time, and energy
- Decreased spending on customer support
- Improved user experience and satisfaction with your software
Whether you need a team of consultants to produce a complete line of documentation or a single technical writer for a brief project, Essential Data’s Engagement Manager will lead the project from start to finish. At Essential Data Corporation, the quality of our work is guaranteed. Contact us today to get started. (800) 221-0093 or sales@edc.us
Written by Brooke Dodrill