Dokumentatie

Dokumentatie refers to the collection of documents that describe processes, systems, products, or activities, providing information for use, maintenance, compliance, and knowledge transfer. It can be written, illustrated, or automated and is often kept as a reference that teams can rely on over time.

The concept spans several domains. Software documentation includes API references, user guides, installation instructions, and release notes. Technical documentation covers system architecture, design decisions, to-be and as-built records, and test plans. Project documentation includes requirements, plans, risk registers, and meeting records. Regulatory or operational documentation encompasses procedures, safety manuals, audit trails, and quality records.

Core components of dokumentatie include the stated purpose, intended audience, scope, version or revision history, and authors or owners. Typical contents are overviews, usage instructions, diagrams, data models, and examples. Documents are usually organized with a clear structure and consistent terminology to facilitate finding information quickly.

Creation and lifecycle involve planning, information gathering, writing, and multiple review stages, followed by publication and ongoing maintenance. Practices such as version control, templates, and localization support long-term usefulness. Aiming for a single source of truth helps ensure traceability from requirements to implementation and operation.

Quality aspects emphasize clarity, accuracy, completeness, and currency, as well as accessibility and readability. Regular reviews, involvement of subject matter experts, and feedback from end users improve usefulness and reduce ambiguity.

Tools and formats include word processors, markup languages, documentation generators, wikis, and content management systems. Common long-term considerations are the use of diagrams, glossaries, metadata, and consistent terminology across the organizaton.