diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 90ea49e17c..4730752829 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -15,6 +15,11 @@ Increment the:
 
 ## [Unreleased]
 
+#### [Documentation] 
+- Improved `CONTRIBUTING.md` structure for better readability. [#3264](https://github.com/open-telemetry/opentelemetry-cpp/pull/3264)
+- Added **Prerequisites** section with required tool versions (including Bazel 7.1.1).
+
+
 * [SDK] Add tracer scope configurator
   [#3137](https://github.com/open-telemetry/opentelemetry-cpp/pull/3137)
 
diff --git a/CONTRIBUTING.md b/CONTRIBUTING.md
index bf837f6bd1..a9c060c85c 100644
--- a/CONTRIBUTING.md
+++ b/CONTRIBUTING.md
@@ -1,14 +1,12 @@
 # Contributing to opentelemetry-cpp
 
-The OpenTelemetry C/C++ special interest group (SIG) meets regularly. See the
-OpenTelemetry [community](https://github.com/open-telemetry/community#cc-sdk)
+The OpenTelemetry C/C++ special interest group (SIG) meets regularly. 
+See the OpenTelemetry [community](https://github.com/open-telemetry/community#cc-sdk)
 repo for information on this and other language SIGs.
 
-See the [public meeting
-notes](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1i1E4-_y4uJ083lCutKGDhkpi3n4_e774SBLi9hPLocw/edit)
+See the [public meeting notes](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1i1E4-_y4uJ083lCutKGDhkpi3n4_e774SBLi9hPLocw/edit)
 for a summary description of past meetings. To request edit access, join the
-meeting or get in touch on
-[Slack](https://cloud-native.slack.com/archives/C01N3AT62SJ).
+meeting or get in touch on [Slack](https://cloud-native.slack.com/archives/C01N3AT62SJ).
 
 See the [community membership
 document](https://github.com/open-telemetry/community/blob/main/community-membership.md)
@@ -18,6 +16,18 @@ on how to become a
 and
 [**Maintainer**](https://github.com/open-telemetry/community/blob/main/community-membership.md#maintainer).
 
+
+## Prerequisites
+
+Before contributing, ensure you have the following tools installed:
+
+- **C++ Compiler** (GCC 5+ or Clang 3.4+)
+- **CMake** (version 3.12+)
+- **Bazel** (version 7.1.1 for building examples)
+- **clang-format** (version 10.0)
+- **Docker** (for DevContainer setup)
+
+
 ## Development
 
 OpenTelemetry C++ uses the [Google naming
@@ -271,8 +281,8 @@ the C++ repository.
 
 * [OpenTelemetry
   Specification](https://github.com/open-telemetry/opentelemetry-specification)
-  * The OpenTelemetry Specification describes the requirements and expectations
-    of for all OpenTelemetry implementations.
+  * The OpenTelemetry Specification describes the requirements and
+    expectations of for all OpenTelemetry implementations.
 
 * Read through the OpenTelemetry C++ documentation
   * The