Writing Internal Docs Your Future Self Will Thank You For

Here’s a version tailored for non-technical team members — marketers, ops, support, sales — still sharp, still clear:

Writing Internal Docs Your Future Self Will Thank You For

Internal docs aren’t just for developers. They’re for anyone who’s ever asked, “Wait, why did we do it that way?”

Whether it’s campaign notes, client FAQs, CRM setups or launch checklists — if you work in a startup, internal documentation is your second brain. And when things move fast, your memory won’t keep up.

Here’s how to write docs that actually help. For you, and the team.

Start by writing down what happened and why. Not just the outcome — the thinking behind it. Why did we pause that campaign? Why did we exclude that account list? Why are we tagging leads this way in the CRM? Even a sentence or two will save you from second-guessing six months from now.

Next, make it clear what someone should do if things change. Who owns the decision? What tools are involved? Is there a fallback? Assume the person reading the doc is new, covering for you, or trying to fix something quickly. Give them a head start.

Keep your tone plain and human. No jargon. No filler. Don’t say “strategic alignment” when you mean “we chose this because it worked better last time.” Write like you’re messaging a colleague on Slack.

Structure helps. Start with the headline takeaway: what the doc is about and why it matters. Then add steps, links, and background. Think FAQs, not essays. Most people won’t read every word — so make it skimmable.

And always date it. Even a great doc goes stale. A simple “Last updated: March 2022” tells the reader whether they can trust it or need to check.

Good documentation makes your team faster. Great documentation makes your future self look like a genius. Write the kind of note you’ll be grateful for when you’re juggling five deadlines and someone’s asking what went wrong.

Your future self will thank you. And so will your teammates.