Loading ...This document is the responsibility of the client. This document, or maybe verbal direction, is what the client wants to achieve. The process that they are trying to automate.
Costing
This initial document will be used as the focal point for the project costing. If the requirements are too complex then the costing may not be possible at this stage in which case it maybe necessary for the company and client to agree on development of the SDS
Content
The SRS will tell companies bidding for a tender exactly what the customer requires. If you as the client sit down with potential suppliers and verbally tell them what you want then you are in fact describing your SRS.
A SRS must include the following aspects ;
What is the current process?
If you currently have 10 members of staff all creating web pages that are based on a template then this needs to be spelled out
Why are you changing it?
Do you simply want to save money or is speed and customer satisfaction important points? The most important reasons need to be clarified here. A good way to do this is to place the importance in order.
The designer will see what is important to you and ensure that the solution adopts these points
What do you want to replace it with?
Do you have any idea what you want? The more idea you have the better the results will be for you. If you have no idea then you will end up paying for a designers flair which may result in a poor project.
This is not designed to make you the customer do all the work, far from it. This point means that you the customer have thought about the solution and articulated this into words.
What is your time frame and your budget?
A software project can go on indefinitely and cost an infinite amount of money. You must guide the tender company with some idea as to your budget and required time frame. If you really don’t have a clue on your budget then the companies will quote the project based on the requirements alone.
If you do manage to articulate a financial model then the company will be able to breakdown what you can get for that money. It may turn out that you can only get 60% of what you are asking for with your current budget and this needs to be found out prior to you spending a Dollar, Pound or Yen !
What constraints do you have?
Do you wish for the company to develop using certain tools or languages?
The specification needs to be in English. The document needs to have pictures where necessary, however crude they maybe. The document needs to be clearly sectioned and paragraphed and must be easy to read. Remember that interpretation is the mother of all cock-ups when it comes to Software Development!
Paying Someone To Analyse Your Process
Paying somebody to write a SRS for you may save you more money in the long run as it will reduce the risk of interpretation. The role is given the name Systems Analysis and is a highly skilled role. You not only need a professional that can write a good document but also need someone on site to study what you do. This person will need to have the freedom of talking to all your staff and given the time to complete their job.
In general, small business does not need this section of the loop. The bigger the project then the more likely a Systems Analysis is required.