Three Sayings Concerning Documentation

by Mistress Tangwystyl verch Morgant Glasvryn of the Kingdom of the West

Tri geir wrth dogfeniad:
   - Mynag a wnaethant
   - Mynag a wnaethost
   - Eglura'r gwahaniaeth
Ac un geir sy'n uchaf: ymchwil, nid dogfeniad.

"Three sayings concerning documentation:
   - Tell what they did
   - Tell what you did
   - Clarify the difference
And one saying is chiefmost: research, not documentation."
-- Mistress Tangwystyl verch Morgant Glasvryn

I. Research, not Documentation

I.e., if you are only now trying to put together "documentation" for some artifact you already have, you have a much more difficult, and possibly impossible, task. If you did research (and kept notes) before coming up with the artifact, you have a very easy task. Why set yourself up to do unnecessary work?

II. The Tripod of Documentation

A. Tell me what they did.
B. Tell me what you did.
C. Point out and explain the differences.

III. Leave a Trail

I.e., give me enough information that I could double-check your information, if I so desired. And give me enough information that I could precisely re-construct your artifact, if I so desired.