It is, but ... this is one reason why I do not believe in all this engineering licensing stuff. It is not adequately safeguarding the public as they claim. Often (or usually) there are proper procedures in place but then they are not followed. A classic case was also the recent Caltrans issue where now we can only hope that the concrete anchoring of the new Bay Bridge is really sound enough. We should be able to know, but we don't, and it's too late.
Agree. However, when it comes to the way of documenting discussed here I do not see what on earth is too onerous with the system I described. My philosophy is that if some more formal method can be adopted without extra work then it should be done, regardless of whether required by law or not. I have witnessed situations where that has saved the bacon.