Software Specs are a form of initial communication. When used neatly, they convey important information in an easy-to-consume way.
Success of any project largely depends on clear and precise communication and Project Specs, inherited (and extended) from vision documents are an important piece of initial communication.
Here is what a neatly written project specs can do:
- Effectively describe what is expected.
- Help architects and analysts to clarify decisions by compelling them to be specific.
- Provide a room for review, questioning and discussion for details before the execution stage.
- Keeps everyone on the same page.
- Creates a team-wide point of reference for specific plans.
- Schedule milestone(s) to focus
- Serves as insurance for either side against getting hit by the bull!
- Creates and improves an environment where healthy discussions can happen.
- Provide opportunity to give and take feedback.
- Set the Quality Expectations.
- Help implant saneness and confidence into the team.
At the same time, it is important to know what cannot be covered by software specs. Here is the list:
- It cannot eliminate all discussions between team members and stakeholders.
- It cannot act as a proof to show how stylish the author is
- It cannot show the importance of the feature and why it should not be eliminated even though it does not pass feasibility analysis.
- It cannot convert developers to a rational point of view.
- Be a whiteboard for the author’s Visio, Charting or UML skills
Project Managers can be benefited by sharing (and possibly extend as well) the above list with everyone who are directly or indirectly involved in crafting project specs.
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