Article
The Principles of Good Technical Documentation
Behind every product or system stands good documentation
Every complex product or system starts with an idea shaped by innovation and engineering, but its value is first truly realized when people can understand, operate, and trust it. Technical documentation enables this, but it has reputational problems. It is often seen as boring, optional, or even as the necessary “evil.” But technical documentation is not just a by-product, it is an equal part of the actual product. In reality, good documentation is actually one of the most valuable assets a technical organization can have. Good and clear documentation can save time, reduce errors, improve understanding, usage, and even onboarding.
At L-F Solutions we understand that behind every successful operation is a document guiding a person through a task. In many situations, a technician or engineer is relying on a set of instructions while working under pressure. In those moments, clear instructions matter. Our approach to technical documentation is to transform complex technical knowledge into clear, concise, and understandable instructions.
Transforming complex technical knowledge into good documentation
When writing technical documentation, the process should begin with curiosity. The first step is not writing – it is learning and understanding. To ask questions, review technical materials, and collaborate closely with subject matter experts (SMEs) and operational teams. Through interviews, talks and data collection, you gather manuals, engineering drawings, test reports, legacy documents, and operational insights. What starts as a collection of data slowly turns into a clear understanding of how a product or system truly works.
The gathering of in-depth knowledge about a new product or system to get an understanding of it is a fundamental part of our core principle: If the writer really understands the system or product themselves, then the reader will be able to perform the tasks without having any doubts.
When creating technical documentation, the focus should always be on:
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User-centrism: Writing documentation with a specific audience in mind (end-user, developers, operations teams, support staff).
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Clarity, conciseness, and consistency: Writing clear, direct, and unambiguous procedures. When the procedures are simple, short, and precise, it removes doubts and thereby reduces errors.
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Visual Aids: Include appropriate graphics, tables, and diagrams that not only support the text, but also help explain complex concepts/instructions more clearly and/or ensure that the instructions are conducted in the correct way.
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Accuracy and Relevance: Ensure that the documentation is accurate and up to date, which ensures that the reader can trust, understand, and apply it.
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Document Controlling: Having a clear review process with focus on the abovementioned principles will ensure these are upheld. A controlled and clearly structured process for managing the revised document will prevent the use of old and outdated versions, while ensuring easy access to the documentation.
In our experience good technical documentation should be clear, purposeful, empathetic, and written with the reader in focus. It helps people understand both how things work and why they work the way they do.
In short, good technical documentation does not just describe a product or system. It enables people to use it, change it, and trust it.
Do you have any questions?
Then contact Niels Christian
Niels Christian Lind-Frandsen
- Owner and consultant
- nc@l-fsolutions.com
- +45 2280 8700
Niels Christian has close to 20 years of experience within the wind industry and have worked in the entire value chain from tier 2 suppliers to owner & operator. He started hands-on as a technician and have since hold varoius management positions. He is passioned and dedicated when it comes to the renewable energy transformation, spezialized in working from strategy and concept level down the the actual execution.
CV and resume
- Consultant - Project Management, Business Developement, Maintenance Specialist, FMECA facilitation, End-of-Warrenty assessment
- Vice President, Products - Product and business unit strategy, Business developement, budget responsibility, group management, imlementation of ERP & ISO9001
- Product Manager/Owner - Product strategy, Scrum/Agile product developement, business case developent & stakeholder management
- Department Manager - Technical sparring and daily management of a large team of service engineers. Setting the department strategi and supporting the organisation with expert knowledge from the team.
- Servcie Engineer - Developing tools for component exchange, work instructions and risk assessments
- Techncian - Service and installation of onshore and offshore wind turbines
