scope:

This Technical Report offers guidance on the management of software documentation to those managers responsible for the production of software or software-based products. The guidance is intended to assist managers in ensuring that effective documentation is produced in their organization. The report adresses the policies, standards, procedures, resources and plans which managers must concern themselves with in order to manage software documentation effectively. The guidance is intended to be applicable to all types of software, from the simplest program to the most complex software suite or software system. All types of software documenation are covered, relating to all stages of the software lifecycle. The principles of software documentation management are the same whatever the size of the project. For small projects, much of the detail given in this report may not apply, but the principles remain the same. Managers may tailor the recommendations to their particular needs. It should be stressed that the guidance given is from the point of view of documentation management. Detailed advice on, for example, the content and layout of software documents is not provided.