Did you know that investing in IT writing skills can double your effectiveness as a developer? While many programmers focus exclusively on improving their coding abilities, they often overlook the powerful productivity boost that comes from strong technical writing practices.
Technical documentation isn’t just busywork that slows you down. Rather, it’s a productivity multiplier that clarifies your thinking, prevents rework, enhances collaboration, and expands your professional influence. According to a study by GitHub, teams with comprehensive documentation resolve bugs 28% faster and experience 23% fewer deployment issues. Additionally, developers who regularly document their work report spending 35% less time answering repetitive questions.
Throughout this article, you’ll discover exactly how writing skills transform good developers into exceptional ones. From creating internal documentation that prevents the same problems from recurring to writing design docs that align stakeholders before coding begins, these skills directly impact your daily effectiveness and long-term career trajectory.
Writing to Clarify Your Own Thinking
The ability to write clearly often mirrors the clarity of your thinking. Many developers discover that the process of documenting code or explaining technical concepts through writing forces them to organize their thoughts more effectively. Let’s explore how IT writing serves as both a thinking tool and a productivity amplifier.
Breaking down complex ideas into simple steps
Complex programming problems can feel overwhelming when viewed as a whole. Skilled developers approach these challenges methodically by breaking them down into manageable pieces. Writing provides the perfect medium for this decomposition process.
One effective technique is to begin with plain English descriptions. Before writing a single line of code, document what you’re trying to accomplish in simple language. This approach helps you:
- Define the problem clearly without getting lost in implementation details
- Identify logical steps needed to reach the solution
- Create a roadmap for implementation that keeps you focused
- Spot potential issues before writing code
For example, instead of diving straight into coding a complex algorithm, first write comments describing what each part should do. This serves as pseudocode that clarifies your approach. As one developer notes, “When I come across functions which I expect to be difficult to write, I will describe what the function does using either plain language or pseudocode” [1].
Furthermore, this preparation saves significant time during implementation. Test-driven development practitioners often write out pseudocode steps before writing tests, “allowing you to design the unit at a higher level of abstraction before writing the implementation” [1].
How writing reveals gaps in understanding
Perhaps the most valuable aspect of technical writing is how it exposes what you don’t know. When you attempt to explain something clearly, knowledge gaps become immediately apparent.
Consider this: almost all developers (63%) spend between 30-120+ minutes daily searching for answers about their codebase [2]. Much of this time could be saved through better documentation that addresses these knowledge gaps proactively.
The documentation process naturally highlights these knowledge holes. As noted in technical writing resources, developing an outline “will not only acquaint you with the source material, but it will also help spotlight holes you hadn’t noticed” [3].
Many developers use simple yet effective methods to track these gaps:
“I write down what I have understood about the concept in my own words. Whenever I find there is a gap in my notes now I can go back to the site or book am learning from and try to figure out what I missed out” [4].
Others use more structured approaches like skills gap analysis, which helps “identify skill shortages” and “plan targeted training” [5]. This systematic identification of knowledge deficiencies through writing allows for focused improvement.
Consequently, the act of documenting your code or explaining concepts forces you to confront what you don’t fully understand. When you try to write a clear explanation but struggle, you’ve identified precisely where your knowledge needs strengthening.
In essence, writing becomes both a diagnostic tool and a learning method. The clearer your writing becomes, the clearer your thinking—and ultimately, your code.
Using Documentation to Reduce Rework
Poor documentation costs developer teams tremendously. According to surveys, inefficient documentation hinders 41% of developers [6], with 64% spending over 4 hours weekly searching for project information [7]. This wasted time translates to approximately $13,500 lost per employee annually [7]. Let’s examine how strategic documentation eliminates this costly rework.
Investing in modern software documentation solutions allows teams to maintain accurate, reusable knowledge while reducing redundant work. These solutions provide centralized repositories, templates, and version control, ensuring that developers can quickly find relevant information and avoid repeated mistakes. By integrating such solutions into daily workflows, teams prevent knowledge loss and significantly improve productivity.
Creating reusable knowledge with internal docs
Internal documentation transforms individual knowledge into organizational assets that prevent teams from “reinventing the wheel” [8]. Despite its importance, only 4% of companies consistently document their processes [9]. This gap represents a significant opportunity for productivity gains.
Strong internal documentation delivers concrete benefits:
- Boosts engineer productivity by providing answers without hunting down colleagues
- Prevents teams from solving the same problems repeatedly
- Enables cross-team knowledge sharing about successes and failures
- Creates inclusive environments where everyone has equal access to information [8]
Internal documentation should be treated as a living system, not static files. The most effective approach maintains documentation as “code” with version control, automated testing, and continuous updates [7]. This ensures content remains accurate as systems evolve.
Reducing support questions with clear READMEs
READMEs serve as the face of your project, introducing it to new users and contributors. A comprehensive README eliminates repetitive questions by addressing common inquiries upfront, essentially functioning as a self-service support center [10].
An effective README should include:
- Clear project description explaining what the software does
- Installation and setup instructions with required dependencies
- Usage examples showing common operations
- Troubleshooting guidance for typical issues
- Contribution guidelines for potential collaborators [10]
The payoff is substantial—projects with comprehensive documentation receive 47% more contributions [7] and reduce support tickets from internal teams by 41% [7]. Furthermore, teams report a 35% reduction in development costs through better knowledge sharing [7].
Avoiding repeated explanations in team chats
Nothing drains productivity like answering the same questions repeatedly in chat channels. Research shows software teams spend 15-20 hours weekly resolving documentation-related issues [7]—time that could be spent building features.
Documentation transforms these repetitive exchanges into reusable knowledge. Rather than explaining the same concept multiple times, point colleagues to documented resources. This approach particularly benefits remote teams working across time zones, where documentation enables asynchronous communication without waiting for colleagues to come online [8].
For maximum effectiveness, documentation should be:
- Accessible: Centralized, searchable, and easy to find
- Current: Regularly updated for accuracy
- Comprehensive: Covering necessary details without overwhelming
- Contextual: Providing rationale, not just instructions [11]
Notably, organizations implementing these practices see significant improvements: 60% faster onboarding for new team members and a 28% improvement in sprint velocity [7]. Beyond productivity gains, good documentation breaks down barriers between teams, encouraging collaboration across projects [8].
Writing as a Tool for Better Collaboration
Effective collaboration forms the backbone of successful software development, with writing serving as its primary enabler. Beyond personal productivity gains, IT writing skills dramatically enhance how teams work together—especially when they’re distributed across locations or time zones.
Improving async communication in remote teams
Remote work depends heavily on asynchronous communication—the exchange of information without requiring immediate responses. According to research, remote workers spend approximately 3 hours and 43 minutes daily communicating through various channels [12]. Asynchronous writing becomes critical as teams spread across different time zones with limited overlapping hours.
Strong written communication offers several advantages for distributed teams:
- Creates documentation automatically – When teams communicate primarily in writing, they automatically create a record of decisions and discussions that can be referenced later [13].
- Enables thoughtful responses – Async communication gives team members time to research and provide well-constructed, informed responses rather than immediate reactions [14].
- Levels the playing field – Written brainstorming allows traditionally quieter voices to contribute without interruption, diversifying the pool of ideas [12].
For maximum effectiveness, establish clear response time expectations (such as responses by the end of the next business day) and maintain a centralized knowledge hub where team members can find information independently [14].
Writing design docs to align stakeholders
Software design documents function as blueprints for projects, outlining what you’re building, how it works, and what it looks like. These documents significantly improve team alignment and prevent costly misunderstandings.
A well-crafted design document transforms abstract ideas into concrete plans by bridging the gap between what software should do and how it will be built [15]. Moreover, design docs facilitate communication among stakeholders who may have different perspectives and priorities.
Effective design documents should include:
- Clear problem description before jumping to solutions [1]
- Visual aids like diagrams and flowcharts to illustrate complex concepts [16]
- Highlighted questions and key decision points [1]
- Standardized format for consistency across projects [16]
The process of creating these documents often reveals misalignments in understanding before coding begins. As one expert notes, “By getting the problem written down in concrete-as-possible terms, and soliciting feedback, you can reveal and address differences before they become an issue” [1].
Using RFCs to document decisions
Request for Comments (RFCs) provide a structured approach to making and documenting technical decisions. Originally developed for internet standards, RFCs have become valuable tools for software teams making significant technical choices.
RFCs are relatively informal documents created before coding begins, documenting high-level implementation strategy and critical design decisions while emphasizing trade-offs considered at the time [17]. They serve multiple purposes within teams:
- Allow individual contributors to participate in decisions for systems they’re responsible for
- Enable domain experts to contribute even when not directly involved
- Improve risk management for technical decisions
- Create snapshots of context for future reference [17]
The commenting period for RFCs should have clear time limits so proposals don’t linger indefinitely waiting for feedback [18]. After an RFC is approved, it becomes part of the team’s decision record, providing valuable context for future team members who weren’t present when decisions were made [17].
Organizations implementing RFC processes typically create repositories to store these documents, with any team member able to write an RFC and open it for discussion [17]. This approach has proven especially valuable for cross-functional collaboration, as technical proposals usually have product and business implications [18].
Teaching Through Writing to Scale Your Impact
Your IT writing skills can extend well beyond personal productivity—they enable you to scale your technical knowledge across teams and organizations. Learning to teach through writing multiplies your impact without requiring your constant presence.
Creating onboarding guides for new developers
Well-crafted onboarding documentation dramatically shortens the time new team members need to become productive. According to research, 20% of employee turnover happens within the first 45 days [5], making first impressions through organized documentation crucial. Quality onboarding documentation directly affects both productivity and happiness of new employees.
Effective developer onboarding guides should include:
- A concise two-page architecture overview
- Visual system diagrams
- Team-specific glossaries
- Tech stack maps
- Communication protocols [19]
First thing to remember, an onboarding guide serves as an index to project-specific content. Include details about engagement scope, team processes, codebase structure, coding standards, and team agreements [5]. The documentation should be comprehensive yet not overwhelming—focus on providing essential information that prevents overwhelming new hires.
Writing tutorials to share internal tools
Technical tutorials represent one of the most valuable forms of IT writing. Beyond serving as search engine content, tutorials showcase specific use cases, overcome technical objections, supplement documentation, minimize support questions, and improve developer activation rates [2].
Strong tutorials don’t just show readers how to accomplish something—they explain the why behind each step [2]. This context enables other developers to apply lessons creatively to their own work. When creating tutorials for internal tools, include both code samples and screenshots showing results, along with links to completed projects in repositories.
Mentoring through written feedback
Written feedback provides a powerful mentorship channel that scales your expertise. In contrast to GitHub-style line-by-line reviews, comprehensive written feedback creates opportunities for deeper learning. The feedback process should be interactive rather than unidirectional, with mentors avoiding focusing exclusively on weaknesses [20].
Effective written feedback should:
- Address both strengths and weaknesses
- Occur regularly with established frequency
- Consider both academic and psychosocial aspects
- Include clear examples when suggesting improvements [20]
Undeniably, written feedback creates advantages that in-person mentoring cannot match. It provides tracking capabilities where junior developers can reference previous comments for further research or discussion [21]. This knowledge transfer happens without interrupting regular work processes—making mentorship part of daily activities rather than a separate obligation.
Writing to Build Visibility and Career Growth
Beyond internal team benefits, strong IT writing skills act as powerful career accelerators, creating visibility that opens professional doors.
Publishing blog posts to showcase expertise
Technical blogging offers remarkable career advantages. Numerous developers attribute significant career breakthroughs directly to their writing. As one developer noted, “I owe my entire career to a couple of articles I wrote” [4]. Another secured a full-time offer at a cloud computing startup based solely on the strength of a few blog posts [4]. In fact, many consultants report gaining new clients specifically through articles they’ve published [4].
Blog posts function as tangible demonstrations of your thinking process, essentially providing “social proof” of your ability to learn publicly [4]. Often, these writing efforts evolve into larger opportunities—some developers have transformed collections of blog posts into published books or speaking engagements [4].
Using writing in performance reviews and promotions
Performance evaluations represent critical career moments where writing skills directly impact advancement. Generally, quality self-assessments require specific context and examples that showcase your unique contributions. For optimal results, use writing to synthesize data from multiple sources, identifying trends and summarizing main themes [22].
Always align your written assessments with your organization’s leadership principles and company values [22]. Beyond self-assessments, documenting your work throughout the year creates a comprehensive record of achievements to reference during promotion discussions.
How writing opens doors to speaking and leadership
IT writing frequently serves as a gateway to broader professional opportunities. Many developers report that articles led directly to conference speaking invitations [4]. These speaking engagements subsequently create paths toward leadership roles.
Beyond that, published writing establishes you as a thought leader, differentiating you from peers. One expert explained, “Instead of competing with all other engineers, you become The Choice in your area” [4]. This recognition extends beyond immediate job opportunities—professionals who establish themselves through writing often receive offers for contract work, book deals, and leadership positions [4].
Ultimately, much of professional success depends on persuading others to recognize your value [23]. Through consistent, quality writing, you build this recognition systematically, creating career momentum that extends far beyond your current role.
Conclusion
Technical writing skills truly serve as a force multiplier throughout your development career. As we’ve seen, documentation doesn’t merely supplement your code—it fundamentally transforms how you think, work, and collaborate. The evidence speaks volumes: teams with comprehensive documentation resolve bugs 28% faster while spending significantly less time answering repetitive questions.
Additionally, writing clarifies your thinking by forcing you to break complex ideas into manageable steps. This process naturally reveals knowledge gaps you might otherwise miss, allowing targeted improvement of your technical understanding. Therefore, each document you create strengthens both your current project and your future capabilities.
Furthermore, strategic documentation dramatically reduces costly rework. Rather than repeatedly solving identical problems, your team builds a reusable knowledge base that prevents wasted effort. This approach particularly benefits remote teams working across time zones, where asynchronous communication depends heavily on clear, accessible documentation.
Beyond individual productivity, writing skills substantially enhance collaboration through design documents and RFCs. These tools align stakeholders before coding begins, preventing expensive misunderstandings and creating valuable context for future team members. Consequently, decisions made today remain understandable years later, even after team composition changes.
Perhaps most importantly, teaching through writing allows you to scale your impact exponentially. Your onboarding guides, tutorials, and written feedback mentor colleagues without requiring your constant presence. This multiplication of knowledge transforms you from an individual contributor into a force that elevates entire teams.
Ultimately, strong technical writing opens doors throughout your career. From blog posts that showcase your expertise to documentation that supports promotion discussions, writing creates visibility that extends far beyond your current role. Many developers attribute significant career breakthroughs directly to their published work.
The investment in developing your technical writing skills pays dividends across every aspect of your development career—doubling your productivity while simultaneously creating opportunities for advancement. After all, the most successful developers aren’t just those who write excellent code, but those who effectively communicate their technical knowledge to others.
References
[1] – https://blog.luketurner.org/posts/writing-effective-design-documents/
[2] – https://www.productmarketingalliance.com/developer-marketing/writing-great-technical-tutorials-for-developers/
[3] – https://mailchimp.com/resources/technical-writing/
[4] – https://stackoverflow.blog/2021/08/09/how-writing-can-advance-your-career-as-a-developer/
[5] – https://microsoft.github.io/code-with-engineering-playbook/developer-experience/onboarding-guide-template/
[6] – https://www.axelerant.com/blog/effective-documentation-and-developer-experience
[7] – https://fullscale.io/blog/software-documentation-best-practices-outsourced-development/
[8] – https://shopify.engineering/good-documentation-productivity
[9] – https://www.atlassian.com/work-management/knowledge-sharing/documentation
[10] – https://www.makeareadme.com/
[11] – https://www.networkperspective.io/devex-book/documentation-avoiding-work-delays
[12] – https://www.atlassian.com/blog/communication/asynchronous-communication-for-distributed-teams
[13] – https://handbook.gitlab.com/handbook/company/culture/all-remote/asynchronous/
[14] – https://www.digitalocean.com/resources/articles/asynchronous-communication
[15] – https://www.atlassian.com/work-management/knowledge-sharing/documentation/software-design-document
[16] – https://www.practicallogix.com/how-to-ensure-your-srs-document-aligns-with-stakeholder-expectations/
[17] – https://dev.to/eminetto/making-technical-decisions-using-rfcs-1j4f
[18] – https://medium.com/juans-and-zeroes/a-thorough-team-guide-to-rfcs-8aa14f8e757c
[19] – https://fullscale.io/blog/developer-onboarding-best-practices/
[20] – https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9387358/
[21] – https://smartbear.com/blog/developing-a-culture-of-mentorship-with-code-revie/
[22] – https://textio.com/blog/dos-and-donts-of-writing-performance-reviews-with-generative-ai
[23] -https://hbr.org/2023/05/a-new-approach-to-building-your-personal-brand
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