Documentation Phase in Software-Development Life Cycle

["Vlad Dracul" <vladvampiredracul -at- hotmail -dot- com>]

I work for a software start-up in which technical writers are expected to 
write in tandem with the development process, i.e., the software-development 
life cycle has no definite phase for documentation. Often, technical writers 
in this company have to write about features even before they are fully 
developed and stabilized. Consequently, technical writers are under 
tremendous pressure to ensure that features are accurately documented. A lot 
of rework occurs, and the quality of output is abysmal.

Those administering the development process have been requested to 
incorporate a documentation phase into the release cycle so that technical 
writers can work with a stable, tested product. Unfortunately, this request 
has been turned down, and the reason provided for this refusal is that the 
company follows a three-month release cycle and hence has inadequate time 
for a dedicated documentation phase.

I want to know the following:

* Is such a situation normal in a software company? Are there examples of 
other companies that work in such a fashion?

* How does one produce good documentation in on schedule in a setup such as 
this?

* Are there any documentation methodologies that lend themselves to this 
manner of working?

Suggestions and comments would be much appreciated.

Thank you.

Vlad

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