Software Specifications

Are you looking to develop a custom CRM solution to help improve internal processes and efficiencies? Here are a couple of important factors to take into consideration when looking at custom solutions.

What is a software specification document?

A specifications document is an important part of the development process. This document is the blueprint of what the platform you are looking to develop will look like, what it will do, and how it is expected to perform. When building a house, the most important part of the process is the plans. It is no different when it comes to a spec document. This is the plan for your portal and outlines the following important points:

• Process flow of the portal
• Functions
• Features
• Platform and technology of the build
• Security

What is the purpose of a specification document?

Apart from the obvious, a specifications document is almost more important than the development itself as it serves the following purpose:

• Outlines all the features and functionality that will be included in the platform being developed.
• Gives a clear outline for developers that will develop the portal on all the modules required in the platform.
• Provides the developers with a better understanding of how the different modules will interact with one another.
• Help the developer plan the project and give accurate time frames to complete the project.
• Helps the developer to provide you with an accurate costing for the development.
• Give you peace of mind that what you require from the portal will be delivered.

What is included in a specification document?

A well-developed specification document will include the following detailed information:

• Purpose of the platform being developed.
• Technology and/or framework that will be used for the development of the portal.
• Detailed breakdown of all the modules that will make up the portal.
• Hosting requirements.
• Wireframe or Flow Chart of all the modules and how they link into one another.

Can I develop the software without a specifications document?

To develop a specifications document might seem like a cost that is not required, when in fact it is the most important part of the process.

Clients that opted to have a solution developed without a specifications document invariably ended up paying twice for the development. The reason for this is:

• What the client expected from the portal and what the developers delivered was completely different.
• The quote received for the development was well underquoted.
• When changes were requested, they were all invoiced as additional development that resulted in the platform cost escalating beyond what it should have.
• Modules expected by the client were not included and/or those modules that were included did not function correctly.

Why clients can rely on us to create software specifications:

With our experience in developing custom solutions for clients, all the platforms developed by us deliver on the expectations of our clients. The only reason we can develop such stable and functional platforms for our clients is because the specification documents we draft are of such a high standard.

With all the detail we include in the specification documents, we have saved our client not just money but also frustration. All the systems we build including our specifications documents, are solution based.

Our clients have peace of mind that the platform they require will fulfil all their needs and ensure their business will be more efficient with the implementation of the customer developed solution.