Fabrizio Benedetti, Lead Documentation Engineer at Tinybird, shares insights into the intersection of technical writing and software development. He discusses the 'Docs as Code' movement, highlighting its importance in integrating documentation with coding practices. The conversation also explores how Generative AI can revolutionize documentation processes, ensuring accuracy while automating updates. Benedetti emphasizes the critical need for quality internal documentation, arguing it deserves as much attention as external documentation for effective team collaboration and knowledge sharing.
The integration of documentation with the software development process through 'Docs as Code' enhances collaboration and keeps resources up-to-date.
Although AI can automate documentation tasks, human oversight is crucial to ensure the quality and accuracy of the content produced.
Deep dives
The Evolution of Documentation
Documentation is increasingly viewed as a crucial part of the software development process, akin to engineering itself. The shift towards 'Docs as Code' promotes the idea that documentation should be developed alongside code using the same tools and methodologies, allowing developers to be actively involved in the documentation process. This change aims to address the gap where traditional documentation methods often resulted in outdated and inaccessible resources. By integrating documentation with the code base, organizations can foster better collaboration and ensure that documentation evolves alongside the software.
Quality Control in Documentation
To maintain high standards in documentation, various quality control measures can be applied similar to those used in software development. One approach is to utilize tools like prose linters to check for broken links and ensure proper formatting while also developing methods to test code snippets. Furthermore, the idea of 'unit testing for documentation' emphasizes the importance of verifying that the documentation accurately guides users through the application. Implementing these quality checks not only alleviates the burden on technical writers but also enhances the overall user experience.
The Future of Documentation in the Age of AI
As artificial intelligence continues to advance, its role in documentation is becoming a topic of significant discussion. While generative AI can automate some aspects of documentation, there is a concern about the quality and accuracy of such outputs without human oversight. Technical writers are encouraged to see AI as a tool rather than a threat, using it strategically to enhance specific areas of documentation, such as code snippets. Ultimately, human involvement remains essential to ensure that the documentation is reliable, coherent, and effective for users.
Fabrizio is now the lead documentation engineer Tinybird, a data platform for user-facing analytics. Get started with their docs or explore their blog.
Find Fabrizio’s blog here. Some reading suggestions: