Documentation Requirements

Documentation requirements define what documentation components must include before acceptance into design systems. Clear documentation requirements ensure consumers have the guidance they need while establishing expectations for contributors.

What Are Documentation Requirements

Documentation requirements specify the types and quality of documentation that design system components must provide. Requirements typically address API documentation, usage examples, behavioral descriptions, accessibility notes, and guidance on appropriate use cases.

Documentation directly impacts component utility. Components with excellent implementation but poor documentation frustrate consumers and reduce adoption. Documentation requirements ensure components deliver value by being understandable and usable, not just technically sound.

How Documentation Requirements Work

API documentation requirements specify that all public interfaces must be documented. Props, parameters, return values, and events need descriptions explaining their purpose and usage. Type information should be clear. Default values and constraints should be explicit.

Usage example requirements mandate working examples that demonstrate component use. Examples should cover common scenarios, not just trivial cases. Interactive examples enable consumers to experiment. Example code should follow best practices that consumers can emulate.

Behavioral documentation requirements ensure component behavior is explained, not just its interface. How does the component respond to different states? What happens during loading, error, or empty conditions? How does it handle edge cases? Behavioral documentation helps consumers understand what to expect.

Accessibility documentation requirements specify that accessibility characteristics must be documented. What keyboard interactions are supported? What ARIA attributes are used? What screen reader experience does the component provide? Accessibility documentation helps consumers maintain accessibility in their implementations.

Design guidance requirements ensure documentation includes when and how to use components appropriately. What use cases fit the component? What alternatives exist for other scenarios? Design guidance prevents misuse and helps consumers make appropriate choices.

Key Considerations

• Requirements should match documentation formats and tools used by the system
• Templates and automation can reduce documentation burden
• Documentation review should be part of contribution review
• Requirements should ensure accuracy, not just existence
• Documentation maintenance requirements should accompany initial requirements

Common Questions

How do organizations enforce documentation requirements?

Enforcement combines automation with review. Automated tools can verify documentation structure and coverage. Human review assesses documentation quality and accuracy. Documentation requirements should be explicit in acceptance criteria and checked during contribution review.

What level of detail is appropriate?

Documentation detail should enable consumers to use components successfully without trial-and-error. Simple components may need minimal documentation. Complex components with many options need more extensive guidance. Consumer feedback helps calibrate appropriate detail levels.

How do documentation requirements affect contributions?

Documentation requirements add effort to contributions but protect consumer experience. Clear templates and examples reduce this burden. Organizations should ensure requirements are achievable for the types of contributions they want to encourage. Very high documentation requirements may be appropriate for new components but excessive for minor fixes.

Summary

Documentation requirements ensure design system components include adequate guidance for consumers. Success requires clear expectations, supportive tooling, and enforcement through contribution review. Organizations should invest in documentation requirements that protect consumer experience while remaining achievable for contributors.