methodology

Ad Hoc Documentation

Ad hoc documentation refers to informal, on-the-fly documentation created during software development to address immediate needs, such as explaining code snippets, recording decisions, or providing temporary instructions. It is typically unstructured, created quickly without formal processes, and often exists in formats like comments, README files, or shared notes. This approach helps teams communicate and maintain context in fast-paced environments but may lack long-term organization or consistency.

Also known as: Informal documentation, On-the-fly docs, Quick docs, Temporary documentation, Ad-hoc docs

🧊Why learn Ad Hoc Documentation?

Developers should use ad hoc documentation when rapid prototyping, debugging, or collaborating in agile settings where formal documentation would slow down progress. It is particularly useful for capturing transient knowledge, such as workarounds, experimental findings, or team discussions, to prevent information loss. However, it should be supplemented with more structured documentation for long-term maintainability and onboarding.