Why testing technical documentation is crucial for product success

Good technical documentation is the lifeblood of new software development – it makes everything from onboarding to deployment and maintenance simpler and more effective.

The better your documentation, the better experience users will have – whether that’s a developer integrating a new API, an end user trying to understand complex features or an administrator planning software deployment. Spending time testing technical documentation is the best way to make sure it’s up to the job.

Why testing technical documentation matters

Think of technical documentation as the bridge between your product and its users.

If your documentation is poorly written or inaccurate, users may abandon a product, or make costly mistakes. Developers relying on API documentation could make mistakes that slow down product delivery and adoption if the instructions are unclear.

Incorporating testing into the development process

When we carry out testing of any new feature, it’s important to also test the associated documentation. This ensures that as new features are built, the corresponding documentation is tested and verified in real-time, keeping it closely aligned with the product’s evolution.

The end user should never be the first person to test documentation. Carrying out testing properly within the development team makes it easier to identify issues and provide users with accurate, helpful instructions from the start.

Why is this important? Simply put, testing documentation to ensure that it’s accurate and comprehensive means a better quality experience and product. Testing has several important benefits:

• A better user experience: clear, well-structured documentation means that users can enjoy the full potential of new products and are able to complete required tasks fully
• Reduced support costs: when users can find answers to questions easily, there is less burden on support staff, allowing them to devote more time to more complex issues
• Faster product adoption: for developer-focused products, well documented APIs and SDKs can speed up development integration, making products more attractive to potential customers
• Fewer errors: accurate documentation ensures that users and developers follow the correct procedures, reducing the likelihood of errors that could lead to system failures or security vulnerabilities

Given its importance, technical documentation testing should be an integral part of the development process. Here’s a quick guide to doing it effectively:

Step 1: Understand the purpose and audience 

Before diving into testing, it’s essential to understand the documentation’s intended purpose and audience. Whether you’re making a user guide, API reference or installation manual, knowing the audience means you can tailor testing to ensure that the content is relevant, and accessible.

Step 2: Define the scope of testing  

Spend some time identifying which documents and sections need testing. You should be careful to cover all relevant content types, such as written instructions, code samples and diagrams. This helps you to create a comprehensive testing plan that leaves no stone upturned.

Step 3: Develop a test strategy 

When testing technical documentation, focus on these core areas:

• Content accuracy – verify that all technical details, code snippets and commands are up to date and correct.
• Clarity – ensure language is clear and readable, and the structure is logical
• Comprehensiveness – your documentation should cover all necessary topics in sufficient detail
• Consistency – check for uniformity in terminology, formatting and style
• Usability – test the ease of navigation and how quickly users can find the information they need

Step 4: Execute the test plan 

Once you have a solid testing plan, you can systematically review each section in your documentation. Be sure to test all code snippets, commands and hyperlinks and involve subject matter experts where needed for technical accuracy. Additionally, involve peers in testing for clarity and usability.

Step 5:  Evaluate and provide feedback 

As you test your technical documentation, be sure to record any issues such as errors, inconsistencies or areas that lack necessary detail. Prioritise issues based on their impact, and provide constructive feedback to the documentation team.

Step 6: Final review and continuous improvement 

Once feedback has been incorporated into the technical documentation, you should conduct a final review to ensure all issues are resolved. Once your documentation has been published, continue to gather user feedback. This will allow you to refine documentation, and keep it aligned with the evolving product.

Final thoughts 

Testing technical documentation isn’t a final step or a ‘once and done’ task – it’s an ongoing process that will significantly improve the success of your product. Well-tested documentation enhances the overall product experience and makes it easier for users to achieve their goals, and for developers to maintain the software.

Robust documentation testing ensures that we can deliver documentation that is as reliable as the software it supports, building a foundation of trust and reliability with users, and ultimately driving more successful products.