The Document Development Life Cycle (DDLC) outlines a structured approach to creating technical documents, emphasizing preparation, research, organization, writing, and revision. It highlights the importance of understanding audience needs and maintaining agility in environments where requirements change frequently. By following a clear methodology, the process improves productivity and results in well-defined documentation.

1. Understanding
DOCUMENT DEVELOPMENT
LIFE CYCLE

2. Document Development Life Cycle (DDLC) is a complete
life cycle of a documentation task. It involves step-by-
step process involved in creating a document.

3. Okay, why a document needs a
lifecycle? It’s just a document!

4. Document Development Life Cycle…
• Creates a baseline methodology for document creation.
• Leads to a well-defined and structured technical
document.
• Improves productivity and gives better results.
Here’s Why!

5. The Approach
Prepare
Research
Organize
Write
Review

6. PREPARE

7. You should prepare well before initiating any process.
Same goes for creating a document.
Get Set!

8. Establish your primary purpose
Assess your audience and the context
Determine the scope of your coverage
Select the appropriate medium
#1
#2
#3
#4

9. RESEARCH

10. Research is the engine room of development.
Do It Well. Do It Thoroughly.

11. Brainstorm to determine what you already know
Perform background research to gather source
documents, correspondence, reports, etc.
Conduct SME interviews and take notes
Leverage internet sources, including websites,
directories, archives, and groups
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#2
#3
#4

12. ORGANIZE

13. Organized information is most accessible and useful.
When everything is organized, it makes work so easier
and fun.
Classify Your Chunks.

14. Choose method of document development
Prepare an outline with key points
Develop and integrate visuals
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#3
#4
Analyze gathered information
#1
Prepare document layout and design structure
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15. WRITE

16. They’ll use it when they’ll be stuck. Consider whether
or not the audience will be able to understand
your words.
Be User-Centered.

17. Expand outlines
Adopt an appropriate style and tone
Prepare first draft
Create introduction
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#2
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Write conclusion/ summary
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18. REVISION

19. A bad document causes frustration and
miscommunication.
Proofread, Review.

20. Check for accuracy and completeness
Check for grammar and language issues
Trim extraneous information
Peer Review
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#2
#3
#4
Technical and Editorial Review
#5

21. Documentation in Agile Environment
Iterative Is The Keyword.

22. What is Agile Environment, Anyways?
Agile environment is where things change frequently, and
we need to change with them.
If we spend too much time setting requirements in stone,
they’re out of date by the time we write the document.
And then the documentation will be obsolete.
Agile is all about iterative development, which requires
iterative writing.

23. Agile Documentation Touchpoints
Write, get reviewed, and publish it ASAP.
Found a programming quirk while documenting?
Let the developer know.
When developer changes the code, update the
documentation as well.
Track comments from developers, support teams
and others. Update the document immediately.
Monitor changes made by other people.

24. That’s all!
Creating a document is easy. You just need to be Agile,
and align the processes with your goals.

25. Thank You!