specifications
Detailed product requirements
Specifications are detailed requirements describing how something should be made, built, or performed.
Engineering and manufacturing rely on precise specs for materials, dimensions, and tolerances: The contractor followed the specifications exactly.
Technical specifications outline what a product or system must do: Does this laptop meet the specifications for running the software?
Often shortened to specs.
Defined boundaries or constraints
- tolerancesAllowable limits of variation
- configurationsParticular arrangements of parts
- requirementsNecessary conditions for something
- documentationWritten proof or instructions
hardware · software · architecture · compatibility · performance · scalability · integration · reliability
Global standards body
- ANSIAmerican technical standards organization
- IEEEEngineering standards organization
- certificationAttestation of qualification
- complianceAdhering to requirements
regulations · guidelines · conformity · accreditation · quality · criteria · benchmarks · uniformity
Allowable limits of variation
- calibrationAdjusting for measurement accuracy
- measurementDetermining size or amount
- fine-tuningSmall precise optimization adjustments
- exactitudePerfect correctness in detail
accuracy · resolution · sensitivity · repeatability · reproducibility · deviation · variance · instrumentation
Extent or range
- objectivesIntended targets or ends
- deliverablesContracted work products owed
- milestonesNotable points of progress
- criteriaStandards for judgment
expectations · constraints · feasibility · functionality · usability · performance · scalability · acceptance
Technical construction drawings
- schematicsTechnical drawings of systems
- drawingsImages rendered by hand
- diagramsSimplified visual representations
- layoutsSpatial arrangements of elements
CAD · drafting · renderings · prototypes · models · architecture · plans · sketches
Level of detail
- particularsIndividual facts or details
- itemizationCataloging into distinct entries
- enumerationSequential listing of items
- explicitnessQuality of being unambiguous
comprehensiveness · thoroughness · exactness · accuracy · precision · clarity · nuances · annotations
parameters
Defined boundaries or constraints
- tolerancesAllowable limits of variation
- configurationsParticular arrangements of parts
- requirementsNecessary conditions for something
documentation · hardware · software · architecture · compatibility · performance · scalability · integration · reliability · modularity
ISO
Global standards body
- ANSIAmerican technical standards organization
- IEEEEngineering standards organization
- certificationAttestation of qualification
compliance · regulations · guidelines · conformity · accreditation · quality · criteria · benchmarks · uniformity · consistency
tolerances
Allowable limits of variation
- calibrationAdjusting for measurement accuracy
- measurementDetermining size or amount
- fine-tuningSmall precise optimization adjustments
exactitude · accuracy · resolution · sensitivity · repeatability · reproducibility · deviation · variance · instrumentation · gauging
scope
Extent or range
- objectivesIntended targets or ends
- deliverablesContracted work products owed
- milestonesNotable points of progress
criteria · expectations · constraints · feasibility · functionality · usability · performance · scalability · acceptance · sign-off
blueprints
Technical construction drawings
- schematicsTechnical drawings of systems
- drawingsImages rendered by hand
- diagramsSimplified visual representations
layouts · CAD · drafting · renderings · prototypes · models · architecture · plans · sketches · mockups
granularity
Level of detail
- particularsIndividual facts or details
- itemizationCataloging into distinct entries
- enumerationSequential listing of items
explicitness · comprehensiveness · thoroughness · exactness · accuracy · precision · clarity · nuances · annotations · footnotes
- standardsstandard, standards, norm, norms, criterion
- software developmentcoding, programming, bug, debug, debugging
- product designCAD, prototyping, design process, design iteration, blueprints
- Formal Methodsinvariants, preconditions, soundness, completeness, refinement
- Industry Jargonassembly line, machine shop, tolerances, Six Sigma, safety codes
- buying factorsprice, cost, value, quality, brand
specificationsgeneralities
Nonspecific broad statements
approximations · vagueness · ambiguity · imprecision · ballpark figures
specificationscreative freedom
Liberty in artistic expression
open-endedness · discretion · carte blanche · flexibility · latitude
- technical specificationsDocumented product parameters
- product specificationsListed item characteristics
- job specificationsCriteria for employment positions