AI is only as smart as what it knows. The documentation you provide becomes its knowledge. Here's what to prepare.
Documentation Categories
| Category | Purpose | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Knowledge Base | Facts AI needs | Products, policies, FAQs |
| Process Docs | How to do things | SOPs, workflows |
| Data Dictionary | What data means | Field definitions |
| Decision Criteria | How to decide | Rules, policies |
| Operational | How to run AI | Runbooks, 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:
- Structured format: Headers, bullets, tables
- Explicit statements: Say what you mean directly
- Consistent terminology: Same terms throughout
- Examples included: Show correct outputs
- Version control: Track document changes
Common Documentation Gaps
| Gap | Impact | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| No SOPs | AI doesn't know process | Create before AI |
| Implicit rules | AI misses unwritten knowledge | Document explicitly |
| Outdated docs | AI gives wrong info | Regular reviews |
| No examples | AI format inconsistent | Add 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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