SPECIFICATIONS

MODULE 5
Dr. Khalid Ahmad Khan
Requirements Vs Specifications
◦ Requirements are descriptions of the future. This is a broad term that can include high level ideas for a product,
service, experience, building, facility, technology or infrastructure. Requirements may begin as high-level ideas that
are refined over time to become requirements specifications that are detailed enough to be created by a subject
matter expert without much need for interpretation.
◦ Specifications are detailed descriptions of the present or future that can be interpreted without much ambiguity. The
term specifications extends beyond requirements specifications to detailed documentation of non-functional
requirements, designs, standards, products, services, processes, methods, interfaces, practices, buildings, facilities,
infrastructure, equipment, vehicles, technologies and documentation templates.
 Requirements gathering is the process of eliciting requirements
from stakeholders and refining their quality. Early stage
requirements gathering is focused on stimulating creative ideas.
The middle stage is about adding assumptions and constraints to
focus on the core value of your project or initiative. Late stage
requirements gathering involves resolving inconsistencies and
getting working prototypes in front of stakeholders. The following
are common examples of requirements gathering.

Requirement
Gathering
Process

Kickoff: Process
begins by Interviews: User Stories: Business Rules:
Brainstorming: Non-Functional
explaining the Analysts work Getting users to Identify any rules
Encourages with stakeholders state their / regulations that requirements:
business case people to offer Standards,
and mission to explore expectations are relevant to
ideas requirements from the project the requirements constraints, etc
statement to
stakeholders
Detailed Design
◦ These are detailed descriptions of a good or service, including such things as details of construction or production,
dimensions, chemical composition, physical properties, materials, ingredients and other details needed for the
provider to produce an item of minimum acceptability. Design specifications are usually required for construction
projects and custom produced items and for many services. Architects and engineers typically prepare design
specifications for construction and manufactured products (e.g., buildings, highways, or other public works projects).
◦ The bidder normally has no input into the design process and is not responsible for the benefits available to the
contracting authority. Use this option if your specifier really is an expert bidder, innovation is not required. If non-
experts will be asked to deliver the requirement, there is a risk of ambiguity.
 Performance

Provides a clear description of the purpose

and output required from the goods,
services and works to be purchased, but not
a specific solution. They may include such
details as required power, strength of
material, test methods, and standards of
acceptability and recommended practices.
Performance specifications define the task
or desired result by focusing on what is to
be achieved (e.g., truck or airplane).
The bidder is responsible for the complete
process from design to delivery fit for
purpose. Use this option when you need to
harness the bidder’s expertise. It is the
responsibility of the supplier that the item
acquired is fit for its intended use.
 Conformance

Defines clearly and unambiguously a

requirement which must be met by the
bidder. The specification describes the
service or product, its makeup, size and
material, but not what it will be used for
and not necessarily even where it will be
used. The bidder is responsible for
meeting conformance criteria. Use when
adherence to specification is vital.
Bidder is only responsible for meeting the
specific criteria set by the purchaser. The
responsibility of fitness for the purpose
the item was acquired for rests with the
buyer.
 Brand Name or Equivalent

Brand Name or Equal—This type of

specification is used to describe a
Industry Standard—In this type of
commodity of a fairly common nature. It
specification, all goods made to an
states a detailed description and a
industry standard are identical,
manufacturer and catalog or model
regardless of manufacturer, and will
number which meets the description and
result in acquisition of goods of uniform
has been determined to be acceptable.
quality. An example is the UIL standard
Competition among brands is usually
for electrical products.
attained by specifying “brand A or equal”
in the specification.
Generic
◦ Defines and describes the requirement in a way which does not restrict any number of bidders which the contracting
authority may attract to offer their goods, works, and services to meet their needs. The bidder is responsible for
proposing and delivering the requirement which meets the buyer’s needs. Use to stimulate competition.
Specific
◦ Defines and describes the requirement using terms specific to one bidder, one type or model from a given source,
limits choice to that source. The bidder is responsible for delivering the requirement selected by the contracting
authority. Use this option if you wish to limit the selection criteria.
THANK YOU

Drkhalidkhan.org