Key Points:
- Canonical takes a unique approach to documentation, involving the whole team in the process
- Technical authors are part of the development team, influencing product design and development
- The company is hiring dozens of new technical authors to join the team, with a focus on shaping product development
In a rare glimpse into the inner workings of Canonical, the company behind Ubuntu, we’re learning that their approach to documentation is unlike that of many other tech firms. Typically, technical writers are hired externally and tasked with creating documentation for products, but not at Canonical. Instead, the company’s approach is blurring the lines between documentation and product development.
At the helm of the documentation process is a technical author who is not just a writer, but a subject matter expert. This individual is an integral part of the development team, working alongside engineers to craft the product from the inside out. Through this collaborative approach, documentation becomes an essential tool for shaping the product itself.
By being part of the development team, technical authors can identify and highlight design problems, feeding back valuable insights to the creators. This unique position allows them to not only write about the product but to influence its very design and development. It’s a testament to Canonical’s commitment to open-source principles, where the lines between writer and developer, user and creator, are intentionally blurred.
The company is now looking to expand this innovative approach, hiring dozens of new technical authors to join the team. The job ad specifically highlights the role’s importance in shaping product development, stating, "part of the role is to ‘influence the development of Canonical products and services, as an expert user who has important opinions about function’." This unprecedented level of collaboration between writers and developers will undoubtedly yield remarkable results, as the company continues to push the boundaries of open-source innovation.
As Ubuntu users and open-source enthusiasts, this development is particularly exciting, as it promises to bring more user-centric, intuitive, and feedback-driven products to the market. As Canonical continues to champion the ideals of open-source, it’s clear that their approach to documentation is a key part of that mission.
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