Minimum Viable Documentation

Let’s face it, most devs hate writing docs. We’d rather be coding. But everyone knows good docs are a game-changer. They help teams work smarter and share know-how like pros. So what’s the catch? Many teams end up with sprawling wikis and overflowing Google Docs that nobody actually reads.

I’ve seen way too many docs that make my eyes glaze over. You know the type - endless walls of text that seem more like a PhD thesis than practical guidance. It’s time we rethink how we approach documentation.

Enter Minimum Viable Documentation (MVD). Think of it as the Marie Kondo approach to tech writing - we’re keeping only what sparks joy (or in this case, what sparks understanding). It’s about distilling your docs down to their essence. No fluff, no filler, just the good stuff that keeps your team running smoothly.

MVD is an approach to documentation that prioritizes essential information over exhaustive detail. It aims to create concise, focused documentation that’s easy to maintain and actually gets used by the team.

MVD flips the script. It focuses on quality over quantity, ensuring your docs are lean, mean, and actually useful. Here’s why this matters:

• Time is precious: In a fast-paced dev environment, nobody has time to wade through pages of text to find what they need.
• Knowledge evolves quickly: Detailed docs often become outdated faster than we can update them.
• Context is king: Understanding why something was built a certain way is often more valuable than knowing every implementation detail.
• Improved collaboration: Clear, concise docs make it easier for team members to get on the same page quickly, reducing misunderstandings and speeding up development.
• Faster onboarding: New team members can quickly grasp the essentials of your projects without getting lost in unnecessary details.

The Core Principles of MVD

1. Capture the ‘why’, not just the ‘how’: Don’t just list steps. Explain the reasoning behind critical decisions. This context is gold for future you (and your teammates).
2. Focus on fundamentals: Document core architecture, key protocols, and critical workflows. Skip the nitty-gritty details that change often.
3. Keep it current: Less documentation means it’s easier to keep updated. Regularly review and prune outdated info.
4. Make it actionable: Every piece of documentation should help someone do their job better. If it doesn’t serve a clear purpose, cut it.

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# User Authentication Endpoint
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# Purpose
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Securely authenticate users and issue JWT tokens.
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## Key Decisions
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- Using JWT for stateless authentication
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- 15-minute token expiration for security
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## Usage
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POST /api/auth
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{ "username": "string",  "password": "string" }
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## Response
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{ "token": "JWT_STRING" }
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## Notes
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- Implement rate limiting to prevent brute force attacks
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- See security_best_practices.md for password hashing guidelines

Transitioning to MVD

Shifting to MVD can be challenging, especially if your team is used to extensive documentation. Here are some tips:

1. Start small: Begin with one project or component.
2. Involve the team: Get buy-in by explaining the benefits and addressing concerns.
3. Iterate: Regularly review and refine your MVD approach based on team feedback.
4. Lead by example: Start by applying MVD principles to your own work.

Putting MVD into Practice: A Developer’s Guide

Let’s say you’ve just implemented a new feature: a password strength checker for user signups. Here’s how you might document it using MVD:

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# Password Strength Checker
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## Purpose
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Ensure user passwords meet security standards without overly frustrating users.
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## Key Decisions
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- Using zxcvbn library for strength estimation
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- Requiring a minimum score of 3 out of 4
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- Providing real-time feedback as user types

Implementation

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import zxcvbn from 'zxcvbn';
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function checkPasswordStrength(password) {
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  const result = zxcvbn(password);
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  return {
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    score: result.score,
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    feedback: result.feedback.suggestions[0] || ''
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  };
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}

Usage

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const { score, feedback } = checkPasswordStrength(userPassword);
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if (score < 3) {
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  showError(`Password too weak. ${feedback}`);
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} else {
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  allowSignup();
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}

Why This Approach

• zxcvbn provides nuanced strength assessment beyond simple rules
• Score of 3+ balances security with user experience
• Real-time feedback educates users on creating strong passwords

Notes

• Update strength requirements in security_policy.md if changed
• Consider adding password breach checking in future (see ticket SEC-123)

MVD isn’t just about writing less - it’s about communicating more effectively. By focusing on the essentials, you’re not just saving time; you’re creating a shared understanding that can supercharge your team’s productivity.

Start small. Next time you wrap up a feature, take 10 minutes to document it using these principles. You might be surprised at how quickly it becomes second nature.

Your docs don’t need to be flawless - they just need to be useful. Over time, as you and your team embrace MVD, you’ll build a knowledge base that’s actually helpful, not just a digital dust collector.