In order to maintain minimum control speed, come alongside the dock with the bow pointing into the wind or current, whichever is stronger. When the bow is one-half to one boat length from the dock, make a smooth turn to bring the boat almost parallel to the dock, by turning the wheel and briefly shifting into forward. Then shift to neutral, turn the wheel towards the dock, and briefly shift to reverse to bring this turn in as the boat stops.
Banking away from a dock usually offers the best maneuvering control, it also avoids the problem inherent to forward departures when the boat starts to turn and it's stern swings into the dock, preventing the boat from departing cleanly. Start by turning the wheel away from the dock, which rotates the propeller away from the dock. Shift into reverse, stern swings away from the dock, as boat backs away.
To avoid scraping the bow against dock, make your turning angle slight. When clear dock, turn in an opposite direction to bring boat parallel to dock, center wheel, pause briefly in neutral while counting one, two, three, then shift to forward.
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