System Design Specification Flashcards
Derives from a comprehensive blueprint in creating software; this includes a software’s details with its functionality, development timeline, and goals.
System Design Specifications document (SDS)
Also focuses on the idea that security, maintainability, usability and reliability must be aligned with this and with the use of stories, use cases and data models to ensure a comprehensive design.
Nonfunctional requirements
KEY PEOPLE IN THE DESIGN PROCESS
Software Architects
System Designers
UI/UX Designers
Database Architects
They define the overall system architecture and make high-level design decisions.
Software Architects
They translate architectural concepts into detailed system designs, ensuring alignment with architectural principles.
System Designers
They focus on the user interface and experience, designing layouts and elements to enhance usability.
UI/UX Designers
They handle the system’s database architecture, defining data models and optimizing performance.
Database Architects
STEPS IN CREATING DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS
- Understand the Requirements
- Identify Design Constraints
- Define Quality Attributes
- Identify Control Classes
- Develop Sequence Diagrams
- Document Design Decisions
- Review and Iterate
- Finalize the Design Specifications
- Maintain Traceability
STEPS IN CREATING DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS
It is crucial to understand the project requirements before
diving into design specifications.
Understand the Requirements
STEPS IN CREATING DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS
Analyze any design constraints, including technology stack, platform compatibility, budget, and existing architectural patterns.
Identify Design Constraints
STEPS IN CREATING DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS
Secure, reliable, maintainable, and usable features should be identified and prioritized.
Define Quality Attributes
STEPS IN CREATING DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS
Coordinate interactions between components and enforce business rules.
Identify Control Classes
STEPS IN CREATING DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS
Using user stories or use cases, in creating this diagrams to illustrate how classes interact and how actions flow within the system.
Develop Sequence Diagrams
STEPS IN CREATING DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS
By maintaining this documentation, future references can be made and stakeholders can be kept informed about the progress of the project.
Document Design Decisions
STEPS IN CREATING DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS
Review design specifications with stakeholders, ensuring alignment with requirements and feasibility, and iterate based on feedback for necessary adjustments.
Review and Iterate
STEPS IN CREATING DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS
It should be comprehensive enough to guide the implementation phase, but should also be flexible enough to adapt to changes in requirements or constraints as they arise
Finalize the Design Specifications
STEPS IN CREATING DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS
To ensure alignment between the implemented system and the intended design, between design specifications and requirements
Maintain Traceability
Serves as the final plan in developing a system. It must include as much information as possible as it serves as the guideline for the developers, testers, and other professionals in the later stages of SDLC.
System Design Specifications (SDS)
The following information can be found in the SDS:
Note that the SDS do not exactly have all these information and
varies depending on the system being developed and the business it serves
Business Rules and Requirements
Scope of the Project
People Involved
Work and Task Assignments
Features and Functionalities
Interface Design
Timetables and Schedule
Costs
Possible Issues and Solutions
Priority Levels
Models, Diagrams, and Charts
Architecture and Module details
Algorithms and Pseudocode
Testing Plans
There are several methods of presenting information to enhance clarity and communication with people in the next stages of the development life cycle. It is a help in having an organized and stable workflow for developers and testers.
VISUAL AIDS IN SYSTEM DESIGN
What are some of the Visual Aids in System Design?
- Design Specifications Table
- Wireframes
- Use Case Diagram
- Activity Diagram
- Class Diagram
- Physical Database Model
for organizing requirements and specifications in a tabular format.
Design Specifications Table
Drawn for planning the UI design of a system. Guides the UI developers to avoid redesigns in the interface.
Wireframes
Used to depict the users’ interactions with the system. Important to use if there are different types of users with different accessible functionalities
Use Case Diagram