Creating an excellent website involves extensive planning. This is the only way to ensure that it will accomplish your objectives accurately and with a high level of client satisfaction.
This is when a detailed technical requirement and specification definition comes in handy. Whenever you create a new website, introduce a significant new feature, or redesign an existing website, you will require a document similar to this.
What is the Web development tech spec?
A technical spec definition for a website or other software product outlines the product’s goal, functionality, and behaviour. In other words, it establishes the purpose of the website, what it should accomplish, and how it should accomplish it.
The software requirement specification is abbreviated as SRS. Additionally, the term “technical specifications” or “specs” is sometimes used to refer to the project needs. It is frequently used interchangeably with another word, product requirements document (PRD). Additionally, the Business Requirement Document (BRD) term focuses on the project’s business aspects.
While the spec document’s appearance may vary, it should serve the primary purpose of ensuring that both the Product Owner and the web development team have a comprehensive understanding of the future website’s details. A well-defined specification enables exact project estimation and execution.
This does not preclude you from modifying your project in the future. Changes are encouraged, input is incorporated, and work is completed in iterations according to the Agile process (short periods). Thus, a technical requirement document is not intended to constrain your flexibility; rather, it serves as a useful starting point and guidance.
The various components of a web development tech spec
As mentioned previously, the components of a web development tech spec document may vary, and you will discover a variety of templates from a variety of sources. As a result, there is probably no list of the contents of a typical requirements specification document.
However, let us sketch our version of the technical specification document structure that contains only the necessary information. It is founded on the industry’s best practices and suggestions for project planning. Additionally, it adheres to Agile principles, which refer to website features as “user stories.”
Here is an example of a good requirement document structure:
- User personas serve a purpose
- User testimonials (features)
- Descriptions of the pages on the website
- Wireframes
- Non-functional specifications
The website’s objective
The initial section of the technical requirements document outlines the purpose of your website or other digital product, the problems it addresses, the visions and expectations that accompany it, and so on.
Website purpose
When you understand who your product is intended for, it becomes much easier to suit their needs. Thus, it is advantageous when the technical specification contains user personas – representations of your target clients with pertinent features.
User narratives (features)
User stories are narratives that describe features from the perspective of user personas. They specify what users should be able to accomplish on your website and how the site should operate. Additionally, user stories should have their release requirements (the testable criteria to define when they are accomplished).
Structure of the website
Following that, a sitemap should be included that details the primary pages of your prospective website. Additionally, it should include the hierarchy of these pages.
Descriptions of pages
Following that explains the main items that should be included on each website page in your technical requirements paper.
Schematics
Wireframes, or diagrams of page layouts with element placement, are an extremely useful component of a technical specification document. While wireframes are typically optional, they are necessary for complex projects.
Non-functional specifications
Non-functional requirements are concerned with how the website runs rather than with what the website does. For instance, you can specify that it should handle 1000 visitors concurrently, have a responsive design, and compatibility with specific browsers.
Guidelines for writing an effective web development tech spec
Make it concise while also being informative.
Your demand specifications must strike a balance between conciseness and detail. Long “novels” do not fit well into Agile development. As a result, the paper should include all of the necessary information about your product.
Make it straightforward to read
This will ensure that your thoughts are clearly understood, thus utilise simple language and structure:
- Write in straightforward and concise sentences
- Avert bloated paragraphs
- Organize your thoughts with bulleted and numbered lists
- Maintain a consistent vocabulary throughout the document
What to do before you begin developing a technical specification
Before you begin, gather all available information on the problem domain. Examine any product/feature requirements developed by the product team and any technical specifications/standards linked with the project. With this knowledge of the problem’s history, define the problem in-depth and brainstorm all possible remedies. Choose the most reasonable answer from the alternatives you have considered.
Bear in mind that you are not alone in this endeavour. Solicit the assistance of an expert engineer who is knowledgeable about the issue as a sounding board. Invite them to a meeting and discuss the issue and your chosen solution. Outline your thoughts and reasoning and attempt to convince them that your option is the most appropriate. Collect their feedback and invite them to serve as technical spec reviewers.
Finally, it’s time to draught the specification. Schedule time in your calendar to write the technical specification’s first draught. Utilize a collaborative document editor that is accessible to the entire team.