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Specifications
Software specifications are a crucial material for a new product life cycle. Well-written specifications set the stage for the development of a new product and for the types of documentation that will be required later in the development process. A well-organized software specification document provides feedback to the project manager and a source of communication with the end user. W. L. Reid & Associates work closely with the technical team to produce software specifications that clearly describe the functions and capabilities of a software system. Specifications are complex because of the three roles involved in its production: the requestor (referred to as the "user" in the IEEE definition), the developer (who will design and implement the system), and the technical writer (who will document the specifications). Typically, the requestor understands the problem the system has to solve but does not know how to develop a system. The developer understands the tools and techniques required to develop a system but not the problem the system has to solve. The technical writer needs document unambiguously to the developer what the requestor desires. Therefore, specifications address a fundamental communications problem. Failure to capture the specifications over the life of the project is a major risk. Documenting the wrong specification, failing to keep the specifications updated, or failing to document the specifications at all puts the developers at a huge disadvantage. They will be unable to produce systems that satisfy the customers and meet market expectations. Our technical expertise in articulating customer specifications allows us to produce a well-balanced and organized specification document that customers can understand.
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