Help Documentation Review Checklist: What to Check Before Publishing
Complete review checklist for help documentation. Covers every quality dimension your team should check before publishing.
Your Help Documentation Review Checklist
Help documentation is only useful if it is accurate and clear. Outdated docs generate support tickets. Unclear docs frustrate users. Use this checklist for every help article.
Accuracy
- Steps match current product UI exactly
- Feature names match what users see in the product
- Screenshots are current (not from a previous version)
- Links to related articles are live and correct
- Prerequisites listed and accurate
Clarity
- One action per numbered step
- Expected outcome stated after each step
- Technical terms defined on first use
- No assumed user knowledge (explain "how", not just "what")
- Active voice used throughout
Completeness
- Edge cases covered or noted
- Troubleshooting section for common errors
- Related articles linked at the bottom
- Contact support option if steps do not resolve issue
- Last updated date visible
How to Use This Checklist
Run through this checklist before publishing any help documentation. For teams using AI content review, these checklist items can be converted into weighted evaluation criteria — so every piece is scored automatically against your quality standards.
Start by identifying which checklist items are most critical for your team (these become your highest-weighted criteria), then build a custom reviewer that enforces them on every piece of content.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I check before publishing help documentation?
Review every item in this checklist across all dimensions. The most critical items vary by team, but accuracy and brand voice are universally important.
Can I automate this checklist?
Yes — convert the checklist items into AI review criteria. Each section becomes a criterion with a weight based on your priorities. The AI scores every piece against these criteria automatically.