AI is only as smart as what it knows. The documentation you provide becomes its knowledge. Here's what to prepare.

Documentation Categories

CategoryPurposeExamples
Knowledge BaseFacts AI needsProducts, policies, FAQs
Process DocsHow to do thingsSOPs, workflows
Data DictionaryWhat data meansField definitions
Decision CriteriaHow to decideRules, policies
OperationalHow to run AIRunbooks, alerts

Knowledge Base Documents

The core information AI needs:

  • Product/service information: What you offer, pricing, features
  • Policies: Return policy, warranty, terms
  • FAQs: Common questions and answers
  • Technical specs: Details about products
  • Company info: About, contact methods, hours

Process Documentation (SOPs)

Step-by-step guides for tasks AI will handle:

  • Standard Operating Procedures: Clear steps, clear decisions
  • Decision trees: If X, then Y
  • Escalation criteria: When to involve humans
  • Templates: Standard responses, email formats
  • Examples: Sample inputs and correct outputs

Data Dictionary

Define what your data means:

  • Field definitions: What each database field contains
  • Value meanings: What codes, statuses, types mean
  • Relationships: How data connects
  • Valid values: What's allowed in each field

Decision Criteria

How AI should make decisions:

  • Approval rules: When to approve vs escalate
  • Priority levels: What's urgent vs routine
  • Routing rules: Where to send different requests
  • Threshold values: Numeric cutoffs for decisions

AI-Specific Formatting

Make documentation AI-friendly:

  1. Structured format: Headers, bullets, tables
  2. Explicit statements: Say what you mean directly
  3. Consistent terminology: Same terms throughout
  4. Examples included: Show correct outputs
  5. Version control: Track document changes

Common Documentation Gaps

GapImpactFix
No SOPsAI doesn't know processCreate before AI
Implicit rulesAI misses unwritten knowledgeDocument explicitly
Outdated docsAI gives wrong infoRegular reviews
No examplesAI format inconsistentAdd sample outputs

Documentation Timeline

How long documentation takes:

  • Existing docs: 1-2 weeks to organize
  • Partial docs: 2-4 weeks to complete
  • No docs: 4-8 weeks to create from scratch

Greene Services: Documentation Help

We help clients:

  • Audit existing documentation
  • Create process maps and SOPs
  • Structure docs for AI consumption
  • Set up version control and updates

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