Documentation

Article template.

Use this layout when drafting new guides for your team.

Documentation article template
A simple structure keeps new documentation consistent.

Template sections

  • Purpose

    State what the reader will achieve and who should follow the guide.

  • Prerequisites

    List required roles, permissions, or data.

  • Steps

    Use numbered steps with screenshots where needed.

  • Validation

    Explain how to confirm the setup worked.

Author checklist

Item
Done?
Audience defined
Yes/No
Steps tested
Yes/No
Screenshots added
Yes/No
Support link
Yes/No

Publishing checklist

Item
Status
Audience named
Screenshots added
Validation steps included
Support link added

Operational depth

Standardize documentation article depth for implementation reliability

Each documentation article should pair conceptual context with procedural checkpoints so teams can execute confidently under real operational pressure.

Primary audience

Documentation writers, implementers, and enablement leads

Decision focus

Determine whether the documented scope is sufficient for safe execution without ad-hoc interpretation

Operational risk

Thin procedural docs shift decision load onto responders during incidents

Field scenario

A new team follows a procedure for the first time and needs confidence in each checkpoint.

Execution walkthrough

  • 1. Frame the objective

    Each documentation article should pair conceptual context with procedural checkpoints so teams can execute confidently under real operational pressure.

  • 2. Align participants

    Documentation writers, implementers, and enablement leads

  • 3. Validate the decision

    Determine whether the documented scope is sufficient for safe execution without ad-hoc interpretation

  • 4. Mitigate known risk

    Thin procedural docs shift decision load onto responders during incidents

Interpretation matrix

Signal
Interpretation
Operational scenario
A new team follows a procedure for the first time and needs confidence in each checkpoint.
Successful outcome
Successful use of this page leaves teams with clear direction on Determine whether the documented scope is sufficient for safe execution without ad-hoc interpretation.
If skipped
Skipping this step often introduces Thin procedural docs shift decision load onto responders during incidents.
Recommended next step
Escalate gaps to support contact and feed updates back into docs governance.