Rules about rules – standards, methods, tools

I was paging through a textbook on Management Information Systems ¹ and found this advice:

Typically an IS organisation develops and follows procedures for the operation of information systems. Using standard procedures promotes quality and minimises the chances of errors and fraud. It helps both end users and IS specialists know what is expected of them in operating procedures and system quality. In addition, documentation of the systems and software design and the operation of the system must be developed and kept up-to-date. Documentation is invaluable in the maintenance of a system as needed improvements are made.

(O'Brien, 1999)