If you’re a technical writer who’s ever tried to get meaningful input from developers, you probably know it can be… challenging. Developers are focused on solving complex technical problems, not on writing pages of documentation. And yet, without their input, creating accurate and user-friendly docs is nearly impossible.
So, how can writers and developers find common ground? Let’s explore practical ways to make this collaboration productive and even enjoyable for both sides.
Why Developers Struggle with Documentation
Developers often see documentation as something secondary to “real work.” Their primary focus is writing and optimizing code, fixing bugs, and shipping new features. In fast-paced agile environments, the top priority is a working product — not the documents that describe it.
Add to that tight deadlines, constant task switching, and the simple fact that writing isn’t their core skill set — and you’ll see why many developers view documentation as a chore.
Another common reason is mindset. Some developers genuinely believe that “nobody reads the docs.” They assume that modern products should be intuitive enough to use without extensive instructions, which further decreases their motivation to write anything.
Finally, style guides and documentation standards can feel like unnecessary bureaucracy. Developers who already have their own preferred way of writing code may find documentation rules restrictive or redundant.
Integrating Documentation into the Development Process
One of the most effective ways to improve the situation is to make documentation part of the regular workflow — not an afterthought.
In many mature teams, creating or updating documentation is integrated directly into development processes. For example, teams might require doc updates before a feature branch can be merged. When writing docs becomes part of the “definition of done,” developers stop seeing it as optional.
Automation also helps a lot. Tools like Sphinx, pdoc, Javadoc, Doxygen, Swagger/OpenAPI, and MkDocs can automatically generate documentation from code comments or annotations. This reduces the time developers spend writing text manually and ensures consistency with the codebase.
By introducing automation, technical writers can shift from asking developers to “write the docs” to simply reviewing, refining, and extending what’s automatically generated.
Simplify the Process: Use Templates
When you ask a developer to describe a function or a method, you’re often met with hesitation — not because they don’t know the function, but because they don’t know how to describe it.
Templates help solve that. A well-designed template acts as a guide, showing developers what kind of information they need to provide.
A function or method description template might include:
- Function name
- Brief purpose
- Input parameters (types, descriptions)
- Return value
- Example usage
- Notes or exceptions
This structure helps standardize documentation and ensures that key details aren’t overlooked.
For writers, the challenge is to create templates that are both comprehensive and easy to use. Before introducing a template, study the project’s existing documentation, talk to developers, and test your structure with real examples. Once approved, templates can be added to the team’s internal wiki or documentation platform — for instance, ClickHelp — where everyone can access and update them.
Getting Closer to the Code
To communicate effectively with developers, technical writers should strive to understand the product on a deeper level. That often means exploring the codebase, experimenting with APIs, or even running test scenarios.
When writers participate in testing or development discussions, they gain valuable context:
- They understand how the system actually works
- They can identify potential pain points or confusing workflows
- They can document real behavior, not just theoretical features
This involvement leads to more accurate and user-friendly documentation — and builds mutual respect between writers and developers.
Using the Right Tools
Modern documentation is highly tool-driven. Writers who understand and use developer tools — like Swagger for APIs or MkDocs for versioned docs — can collaborate more effectively with engineering teams.
Learning these tools bridges the gap: writers become technical enough to “speak the same language,” while developers appreciate not having to explain every detail.
Automating repetitive tasks, versioning docs alongside code, and using collaboration platforms like ClickHelp make the entire documentation lifecycle smoother.
How to Gather Information from Developers
Even with templates and tools, writers still need input from developers. The key is to approach this systematically.
Set up short, focused interviews or sync meetings. Prepare questions in advance — spontaneous chats rarely yield complete information. Record or take detailed notes during the session so nothing gets lost.
Afterward, analyze and structure what you’ve learned. Follow up when necessary to confirm technical details. Over time, this process becomes faster and more natural, as trust between writers and developers grows.
Final Thoughts
Building strong collaboration between technical writers and developers takes time, empathy, and structure. But the payoff is significant: accurate, up-to-date documentation that improves user experience and reduces support burden.
Writers who integrate into the development process — rather than staying on the sidelines — can create truly valuable documentation and help teams deliver better products.
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