A software design document outlines specifications for internal use and can be modified. It includes the program’s architecture, features, and target audience. Multiple staff create it to ensure consistency in the development process. Documentation may be excluded if users are assumed to have technical knowledge.
A software design document outlines specifications for software to provide a roadmap for developers. It is produced early in the software development process and can be modified in response to changing circumstances and needs. This documentation is intended for internal use and is not typically distributed outside the design team and customer offices. In some cases, abstracts may be published as part of research or communications with people outside the company.
The components of the software design document outline what the product should do and how it should do it. This includes the underlying architecture of the program along with any features developers need to include in the finished product. Documentation may discuss the graphical interface and how users will interact with the program, in order to offer guidance to programmers as they move through the development stages.
Multiple staff can be involved in creating a software design document. They discuss various needs and concerns to make sure the document is complete and confirm that it accurately represents the customers’ needs. Their goal is to create one uniform guide that team members can use. This ensures consistency in the development process, as everyone uses the same reference document when designing and implementing features.
In addition to discussing the performance of the software, the software design document may explicitly cover the target audience. A company working on software controls for scientific equipment, for example, might assume that any user is a scientist or technician familiar with the machine. This means that the software doesn’t need to include simplifications of the technical language or discussion of what the controls do, because the user should already know that.
Conversely, software designed for word processing may require documentation and guidance for users unfamiliar with word processing and computers. It might be usable right out of the box for someone with experience, but it might have modules people can use if they want to learn about features, get tutorials, or seek help with a specific task. The parameters set out in a software design document for more technical projects may recommend leaving out some documentation and a user guide on the subject that users of the software do not need, which means there may be no reason to invest time and energy in developing it.
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