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Documentation: Why bother?
The pressure is on to get the best results as economically as possible. Often, the first target for
expenditure cuts is documentation. However, professional documentation is not an optional extra - it
is an essential part of the product and users of your system expect it.
You need professional documentation because it will:
- enhance your image
Good documentation demonstrates your concern for quality and customer satisfaction
- boost your sales
Good documentation demonstrates your commitment to supporting the user. It also shows that
you have planned and produced a complete package, ultimately influencing the user's decision to
buy.
- provide improved customer support
Good documentation means that your customers can solve their own problems, hence
cutting technical support workloads.
- provide continuity
Good documentation traps knowledge. If you loose a key member of staff, you have a permanent record
of everything other staff may need to know.
- provide improved efficiency
Good documentation reduces staff training times and reduces the number of operator
errors. It also saves experienced staff from becoming too involved with training
and allows them to continue with their key activities.
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