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Technical Writing Tip:
Include prerequisite steps

Be sure to list all steps and other requirements users need to perform before they do the task you are documenting:

  • If a user needs certain tools to perform a task, list them at the beginning of a procedure.
  • If a user needs to perform other procedures before starting the one you are documenting, list which procedures need to be done. You can provide cross-references to the page where those procedures are described.
  • If a user needs to have certain skills or have a certain job title in order to perform a task, this also needs to be listed. (For example, "This task should be performed only by the network administrator.")

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