How To Create And Maintain Documentation

Hello NoCodeOps Community,

We're very excited to share something special: the launch of our first series of articles written together by members of our community, a showcase of our collective expertise and collaboration.

Our first piece tackles a vital topic in no-code development: effective documentation.

As we all navigate the fast-paced world of no-code technologies, the sustainability of our projects often relies on how well we document them.

To highlight this, we've brought together insights from community experts like Andy O'Neil , Isaac Perdomo , Philip Lakin , and Thaly Gutierrez ?? , who are passionate about the power of clear documentation.

This article dives into why thorough documentation is crucial for the success of no-code projects.

Take a look and see how applying these community-driven insights can enhance your no-code projects.

• From Andy O'Neil :

"In the ever-evolving world of no-code projects, prioritizing documentation is akin to capturing a moving target. These projects are dynamic, not always beginning with a set plan but with more of a a burgeoning idea, much like a painter facing a blank canvas.

As such, the process of documentation must be equally adaptable, evolving with the project to guide clients toward independence and ensure a deep understanding of the system's intricacies. The key lies in timing and balance. The question isn't whether to document but when and how much. Continuous updates can be overwhelming, yet waiting too long risks losing critical insights.

The ideal approach tailors documentation to each client's needs, engagement level, and vision, ensuring it serves not just as a record but as a strategic tool for empowerment and growth.

This nuanced balance is crucial for the long-term success of no-code solutions, enabling them to adapt and thrive in an ever-shifting landscape."

• From Isaac Perdomo :

"Memory is a liability. It’s the same reason process is important for humans - you want everyone to understand it and to not rely on an individual."

• From Philip Lakin :

Having interviewed over 300 no-code operations professionals, it's crystal clear: solid documentation in no-code projects isn't just nice to have; it's an absolute must. Think of it as the secret playbook that keeps everything ticking. Whether it's onboarding fresh faces, quickly squashing bugs, or scaling your projects seamlessly, documentation has got your back. Plus, it's your project's lifeline when team dynamics shift - ensuring smooth sailing no matter what.

So, why double down on documentation? It's the glue that keeps team collaboration strong and efficient, especially as projects and processes evolve. It turns bug fixes from a headache into a quick fix. When it's time to grow, your documentation is the blueprint ensuring you can scale without the chaos. And, in those times when the team changes, good documentation means your project doesn't miss a beat, even if you're off the grid.

Bottom line: Invest in your documentation.

It's the unsung hero of your no-code endeavors.

• From Thaly Gutierrez ?? :

"Technical documentation is an information tree framework. I will not pontificate on how to build it, because it depends on the tools selected by our NoCode Operator (I can think of Notion, Airtable, Google Docs, as the common ones.) But, this are repositories. Lately, with AI, we are getting more offers about “build your knowledge base: Integrate with your repository.” This idea is more powerful and interactive: Nested data/information. In general, I would sugest that the following topics should be addressed by the framework (I would suggest this resource: https://www.altexsoft.com/blog/technical-documentation-in-software-development-types-best-practices-and-tools/):

• Requirements document
• Architecture design
• Source code (yes, I know we are No-Code, but some projects go into the Low-Code realm)
• Validation docs
• Verification and testing info
• Maintenance or help guides"

We hope these insights will help you gain a deeper knowledge and understanding of documentation.

If you'd like to keep the conversation going, or contribute to our next collaborative article, all you have to do is to join our awesome community at www.nocodeops.com/community