Single Source of Truth Documentation Principle

A Single Source of Truth Documentation Principle is a data management principle that maintains one authoritative location for each piece of information to prevent duplication and ensure consistency.

• AKA: SSOT Documentation Principle, Single Source of Truth, Single Documentation Authority Principle, SSOT Principle.
• Context:
  • It can typically eliminate Documentation Duplication through centralized content management.
  • It can typically ensure Documentation Consistency through single reference points.
  • It can typically reduce Documentation Maintenance Overhead through unified update locations.
  • It can typically prevent Documentation Conflicts through authoritative source designation.
  • It can typically facilitate Documentation Accuracy through single truth maintenance.
  • It can often support Cross-Reference Documentation through link-based references.
  • It can often enable Documentation Synchronization through automated propagation mechanisms.
  • It can often improve Documentation Reliability through consistent information sources.
  • It can often streamline Documentation Update Processes through centralized modification points.
  • ...
  • It can range from being a Manual Single Source of Truth Documentation Principle to being an Automated Single Source of Truth Documentation Principle, depending on its enforcement mechanism.
  • It can range from being a File-Level Single Source of Truth Documentation Principle to being a System-Level Single Source of Truth Documentation Principle, depending on its application scope.
  • It can range from being a Strict Single Source of Truth Documentation Principle to being a Flexible Single Source of Truth Documentation Principle, depending on its duplication tolerance.
  • It can range from being a Local Single Source of Truth Documentation Principle to being a Distributed Single Source of Truth Documentation Principle, depending on its storage architecture.
  • ...
• Example(s):
  • README Single Source of Truth, maintaining installation instructions in one location.
  • API Documentation Single Source of Truth, centralizing API specifications.
  • Configuration Documentation Single Source of Truth, consolidating configuration parameters.
  • Database Schema Single Source of Truth, maintaining schema definitions centrally.
  • Business Rule Single Source of Truth, centralizing business logic documentation.
  • ...
• Counter-Example(s):
  • Duplicated Documentation Practice, which maintains multiple information copys.
  • Scattered Documentation Approach, which distributes related information.
  • Copy-Paste Documentation Method, which creates redundant content.
  • Decentralized Documentation System, which lacks authoritative sources.
• See: Documentation Management Principle, Data Management Principle, Information Architecture Principle, Documentation Organization Pattern, Centralized Version Control System, Documentation Consistency Principle, Master Data Management Principle.

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