Header photo of the blog post The Essential Types of Documentation for a Successful Implementation

The Essential Types of Documentation for a Successful Implementation of Dynamics 365 and Power Platform

Dynamics 365, Power Platform / By

Documentation plays a crucial role in the successful implementation of any project. In the context of Dynamics 365 and similar systems, documentation serves multiple purposes, from capturing the intentions behind customizations to providing user training and facilitating future changes. In this blog post, we will explore the different types of documentation and their significance in ensuring a smooth and effective implementation.

The Importance of Documentation:

Before diving into the various types of documentation, it’s essential to understand why documentation is necessary. While Dynamics 365 is self-documented to some extent, it lacks the recording of the intention behind customizations and configurations, as well as the business requirements being met. These aspects need to be documented to facilitate future planning and onboarding of new resources. Additionally, user training documentation is crucial for increasing user adoption and maintaining consistency.

Definitions

One of the foundational types of documentation is defining key terms and concepts. This is particularly important when internal teams or terminology have changed. By documenting definitions, such as differentiating between “leads” and “prospects,” you ensure clarity and prevent confusion among team members.

Architecture and Design

Architecture and design documentation captures the intentions, design decisions, requirements, and expected outcomes of the implementation. It should outline the reasons behind the decisions made, any concessions or alternative approaches considered, and integration points and dependencies. This documentation provides a holistic view of the system and guides future development and modifications.

Architecture and Design example picked from the Microsoft documentation.

Technical Documentation

Technical documentation focuses on APIs, reference materials, and custom code. It serves as a resource for developers and technical personnel involved in the implementation. Documenting custom code is especially important for maintaining a clear understanding of system functionalities and ensuring smooth maintenance and troubleshooting.

Example showing API documentation in Swagger using their default example API.

End-User Documentation

End-user documentation aims to provide step-by-step instructions for users. Starting with basic tutorials, it gradually transitions to empowering users to apply their knowledge to different scenarios and explore features beyond the core functionalities. It’s crucial to differentiate between required processes and bonus features, tailoring documentation to meet the needs of different user groups.

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Internal Marketing

Internal marketing documentation highlights the benefits of the application, the problems it solves, and how it aligns with the organization’s vision. This type of documentation helps create awareness and enthusiasm among internal stakeholders, promoting a better understanding of the system’s value and encouraging user adoption.

Change Log

A change log documents all the changes made throughout the implementation process. It includes details such as the changes made, the date and time of the changes, and the resources involved. Ideally, it should also capture the intentions behind each change. A comprehensive change log facilitates transparency, accountability, and effective tracking of system modifications.

Example image picked from the Microsoft documentation.
Backlog example picked from the Microsoft documentation.

UAT and Documentation

User Adoption Testing (UAT) provides an opportunity to test the effectiveness of documentation. The documentation should enable new users to complete the required tasks for UAT testing without significant hurdles. Any questions or issues that arise during this testing phase can reveal gaps in the documentation and guide improvements.

Example from user testing in Azure DevOps Test Plans.

Conclusion

Documentation is a critical component of a successful implementation, enabling effective collaboration, knowledge transfer, and user adoption. By including various types of documentation, such as definitions, architecture and design, technical specifications, end-user guides, internal marketing materials, change logs, and incorporating UAT feedback, organizations can ensure a smoother implementation process and set the foundation for ongoing system maintenance and growth. Remember, well-documented systems are the key to long-term success.

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