3.1.3 Design Specifications

Developing a set of design specifications is one of the most important steps before the actual design is planned. 

The design specifications form the basis for planning and designing the solution. 

The aim of the design specifications is to accurately interpret the needs, requirements and boundaries identified into a set of workable and realistic specifications from which a final solution can be created. 

These design specifications should include considerations from both the developer’s perspective and the user’s
perspective.

Students Learn About:

Design specifications

  • specifications of the proposed system
  • developer’s perspective in consideration of:
    • data types
    • data structures
    • algorithms
  • user’s perspective
    • interface design
    • social and ethical issues
    • relevance to the user’s environment and computer configuration

Students Learn To:

  • identify the parts of the proposed system that require software to be designed and developed
  • identify a relevant approach for a given problem

  • develop and interpret design specifications from a user’s perspective
  • recognise the difference between the user’s and developer’s perspectives and the communication issues that may arise 


Subpages (1): 1. Student Activity - Design Specs
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