Structured Technical Writing Process: Insights from Luke Bayler, Google

Technical writing isn’t just about explaining how things work, it’s about helping people get things done. In a recent Knowledge Base Ninjas podcast episode, Luke Bayler, Google’s Technical Writing Manager, explained how he’s made a career out of that concept. From authoring his first docs to managing teams, Luke discussed the most important skills: understanding your audience, writing clearly, and always keeping the user in mind.

Luke shared a lot about simplicity. While technical accuracy matters, it shouldn’t get in the way of helping users get things done. Clear, focused documentation beats overly detailed explanations every time. He also shared how important it is to plan out content, work closely with subject matter experts, and constantly review and improve based on feedback.

On the topic of AI, Luke had a thoughtful take. He sees AI as a useful tool that can speed things up but warns against relying on it too much. It’s your own experience and judgment that make content truly valuable. For him, success isn’t just hitting publish, it’s seeing people engage with your work, ask questions, and even offer critiques. That’s how you know it’s working.

Click here to listen to the complete podcast episode