Ask HN: Paranoia question: ever asked to document a complete process

4 pointsa_lifters_life3 comments

im not just talking a document/diagram for something small, but something that has been developed for several years and has end-user documentation already, but documentation about how it actually works at an org?

Does this kind of request give you paranoia?

View on HN

Does this kind of request give you paranoia?

Have you asked the management in your organization what the purpose of the documentation exercise is? Sometimes these exercises are done to see if documentation is outdated. Sometimes it is done to see if people understand the existing documentation. Sometimes it is done for a re-org. Without knowing the answer the paranoia will turn into unnecessary stress and that could create a self fulfilling prophecy. Regardless of the answer they give you, let them know without any emotion you will get it done and they can count on you for any other related tasks.

Why does it for you?

It decreases their desire to keep me, if there are layoffs.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com