A comprehensive set of documentation on how your portal functions is an important mechanism to increasing the supportability of the system. The different areas that need to be documented to create a supportable solution include:
System architecture
Software installation and configuration
Operational procedures, also known as a “run book”
Software customizations
Custom code
Third-party products integration
The run book outlines troubleshooting techniques as well as the deployment life cycle. Make this book available during the training and transfer of knowledge phase of the project.
Do not wait until the end of the deployment project to begin this documentation phase. Documenting your portal should occur as an ongoing activity throughout the entire deployment.