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From: tek@ms.uky.edu (Thomas E. Kunselman)
Newsgroups: comp.software-eng,comp.specification
Subject: Program Specifications - What to require from programmers.
Keywords: PROGRAM SPECIFICATION DOCUMENTATION
Message-ID: <1991Feb28.184021.22862@ms.uky.edu>
Date: 28 Feb 91 18:40:21 GMT
Organization: University Of Kentucky, Dept. of Math Sciences
Lines: 34


What types of specifications do you require from your programmers before
embarking on modifications/enhancements to a large software application?

I have recently been placed on a committee which is to advise and review
changes to our Student Information System software.  Currently there 
seems to be no written or formal procedure for informing committee
members exactly what the changes will be and what the new screens will
look like, or new procedures for using whatever the enhancement will be.

I am interested in learning about what existing organizations use when
they are undertaking chanes of this type.  I am especially interested
in learning what types of information we should request from our 
programmers to aid us in discovering whether an enhancement will actually
meet our needs when it is copleted, or whether it will need further
enhancements itself.

Some of the types of items I can think of are mentioned in the above 
paragraph, for example, screen layout of data elements, key strokes
required by the operator, time estimate for completion, examples of
real life situations that will need to be handled by the enhancement,
etc.  Any additions to this list would be greatly appreciated.  Also
appreciated would be any examples of software specifications, or some
sources where I might get a general idea of a standard form to be used
for this type of thing.

Thanks,


-- 
Thomas Kunselman                              {rutgers,uunet}!ukma!tek          
Institutional Research and Planning       	bitnet: vaatek@ukcc.bitnet
University of Kentucky				internet:tek@ms.uky.edu
Lexington, KY 40506-0032			(Educate, Don't Legislate!)