How can we preserve documentation without slowing iterative work?
Documentation proportionalityCreate documentation that supports safe use, decisions, maintenance, and obligations as the work evolves. Avoid both document-heavy handoffs and undocumented delivery.
What to do now
- Identify who needs each document and why
- Create useful evidence alongside delivery
- Keep authoritative versions linked to outputs
- Review documentation as part of readiness
When to escalate
Escalate when
Missing information prevents safe operation or required assurance.
Who decides
The delivery owner and relevant governance authority
Example
A team updates interface and recovery notes with each relevant change rather than writing them all at the end.
Mistake to avoid
Assuming iterative delivery means no documentation.
Prevent a repeat
Check whether governance decisions use real delivery evidence rather than forcing incompatible reporting rituals.
Suggested ApprovedFlow setup
- Projects
- Tasks
- Documents
- Approvals
Keep decision milestones and iterative task work connected, with explicit evidence required at each approved gate. See the platform
Related cases
- How do stage gates work with iterative development?Evidence-based hybrid governance
- How do we manage fixed regulatory dates with iterative delivery?Fixed-date adaptive planning
- How do we document a decision without creating bureaucracy?Decision record proportionality
- How do we preserve an audit trail when decisions change?Destructive decision updates