Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the primary purpose of a software design document?
What is the primary purpose of a software design document?
- To track the daily tasks and activities of the development team.
- To outline the project's budget and financial projections.
- To serve as marketing material for potential investors.
- To provide a written report describing a software product's design and overall architecture. (correct)
Design documents are exclusively written by software designers.
Design documents are exclusively written by software designers.
False (B)
Name three sections that should be considered for inclusion in a design document.
Name three sections that should be considered for inclusion in a design document.
Title and People, Overview, Context
A design document describes the __________ to a problem.
A design document describes the __________ to a problem.
Match the following sections with their description in a design document:
Match the following sections with their description in a design document:
Why is clear communication essential when writing a design document?
Why is clear communication essential when writing a design document?
Design documents are only useful during the initial development phase of a project.
Design documents are only useful during the initial development phase of a project.
Name three reasons that explain why it is important to write a design document.
Name three reasons that explain why it is important to write a design document.
A design document aids in __________ by identifying potential issues early in the development process.
A design document aids in __________ by identifying potential issues early in the development process.
Match each element with its role in creating an effective design document:
Match each element with its role in creating an effective design document:
What does 'Clear and Concise' refer to in the context of writing an effective design document?
What does 'Clear and Concise' refer to in the context of writing an effective design document?
Including overly complicated charts and diagrams is essential for a design document.
Including overly complicated charts and diagrams is essential for a design document.
Name three components of how to write an effective design document.
Name three components of how to write an effective design document.
The __________ section of a design document outlines the hardware and software components needed for the project.
The __________ section of a design document outlines the hardware and software components needed for the project.
Connect each architectural tier and its advantage:
Connect each architectural tier and its advantage:
What is the best way to receive feedback on your design document?
What is the best way to receive feedback on your design document?
It is not necessary to include the reviewer's name in the document's title and people section.
It is not necessary to include the reviewer's name in the document's title and people section.
What are two types of specialized reviewers whose feedback could be useful to your design?
What are two types of specialized reviewers whose feedback could be useful to your design?
Set a time limit of about one __________ to gather feedback and commit to addressing all questions and comments within that timeframe.
Set a time limit of about one __________ to gather feedback and commit to addressing all questions and comments within that timeframe.
Connect each item with what's best to do with it after disagreements are found:
Connect each item with what's best to do with it after disagreements are found:
Flashcards
Software Design Document
Software Design Document
A written report describing a software product's design and overall architecture.
Clear Communication
Clear Communication
Clearly communicate project goals, timelines, and responsibilities to all stakeholders.
Guidance and Roadmaps
Guidance and Roadmaps
Provide direction for the project, acts as a roadmap, outlines steps and milestones.
Documentation for Future Reference
Documentation for Future Reference
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Risk Mitigation
Risk Mitigation
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Scope
Scope
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Systems Architecture
Systems Architecture
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Functional Requirements
Functional Requirements
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Non-Functional Requirements
Non-Functional Requirements
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Collaboration and Communication
Collaboration and Communication
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Glossary and Terminology
Glossary and Terminology
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Write as Simply as Possible
Write as Simply as Possible
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Add Charts and Diagrams
Add Charts and Diagrams
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Early Feedback
Early Feedback
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Study Notes
What is a Design Document?
- A software design document, also known as a software design specification or technical specification document, is a written report outlining a software product's design and architecture.
- These documents are typically created by software designers or project managers.
- The target audience for these documents are the software development team to provide an overview of the project and the approach.
What to Include in a Design Document
- A design document describes the solution to a specific problem.
- The structure of a design document should be tailored to the nature of the problem it addresses.
- Recommended sections contain: Title and People, Overview, Context, Design and Consideration, and Milestone.
Reasons for Writing a Design Document
- These documents are essential for clear communication, providing guidance and roadmaps, and acting as documentation for future reference.
- They are also key for risk mitigation, promoting collaboration and accountability, and ensuring scalability and future enhancement.
How to Write an Effective Design Document
- Maintain clarity and being concise in your writing.
- Include an executive summary, introduction, user stories/persona, goals and objectives, scope, and design principles.
- Also consider adding systems architecture, functional and non-functional requirements, user interface design, data design, technical considerations, and risks and mitigation strategies.
- Key elements include a project timeline, collaboration and communication strategies, a glossary of terms, and appendices.
Writing Style Recommendations
- Write as simply as possible and include numbers in all figures.
- Supplement your writing with charts and diagrams.
- Employ the Skeptic Test and the Vacation Test.
- Document the process.
Project Review Guidelines
- Find an experienced engineer or tech lead to be your reviewer, preferably someone knowledgeable about the problem's complexities.
- Meet in a conference room with a whiteboard to review the project.
- Clearly explain the problem being addressed to the reviewer, as this step is crucial.
- Present the proposed implementation and convince the reviewer that it is the right approach.
- Seek feedback early to identify potential issues and challenges before investing too much time.
- Have the reviewer review the drafted document again and include their name as the reviewer to add accountability.
- Specialized reviewers, like Site Reliability Engineers (SREs) and security engineers, should be involved for specific aspects of the design.
- Share the design document with the team for feedback, setting a one-week time limit to gather and address questions.
- Schedule a meeting to resolve disagreements.
Advantages of 3-Tier Architecture
- Scalability, maintainability, and security.
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