How do you balance competing requirements when documenting an Enterprise Software project?

2 Gather and analyze the requirements

One of the main challenges of documenting an Enterprise Software project is dealing with the requirements, which may come from different sources, such as the client, the users, the developers, the testers, or the regulators. You need to gather and analyze the requirements carefully, to understand what features and functions the software should provide, how it should behave, and what constraints and assumptions it should follow. You should also validate and verify the requirements, to ensure that they are clear, complete, consistent, and feasible. You can use various techniques and tools to gather and analyze the requirements, such as interviews, surveys, workshops, prototypes, use cases, user stories, or diagrams.

3 Plan and structure your documentation

Once you have a clear understanding of the requirements, you need to plan and structure your documentation accordingly. You should decide what types of documents you need to produce, such as user manuals, technical specifications, installation guides, or test cases. You should also determine how you will organize and present the information in each document, such as the sections, headings, subheadings, tables, figures, or screenshots. You should follow a logical and consistent structure that makes sense for your audience and your content. You can use templates, outlines, or frameworks to help you plan and structure your documentation.

4 Write and edit your documentation

The next step is to write and edit your documentation, using clear, concise, and accurate language. You should write for your specific audience, using appropriate terminology, tone, and style. You should also write for your specific purpose, using relevant and useful information, and avoiding unnecessary or confusing details. You should follow the guidelines and standards that you have established for your documentation, such as the format, the layout, the grammar, or the spelling. You should also review and revise your documentation regularly, to ensure that it is consistent, coherent, and correct. You can use tools such as spell checkers, grammar checkers, or style guides to help you write and edit your documentation.

5 Manage and update your documentation

The final step is to manage and update your documentation throughout the project lifecycle. You should keep track of the changes and revisions that you make to your documentation, using tools such as version control, change logs, or comments. You should also communicate and collaborate with the other stakeholders, such as the client, the users, the developers, or the testers, to get feedback and input on your documentation, and to resolve any issues or conflicts that may arise. You should also adapt and update your documentation as the project progresses, to reflect the changes and updates that occur in the software, the requirements, or the environment. You should always ensure that your documentation is up to date, accurate, and complete.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?