Design Specification

What is a design specification?
A specification is a set of considerations, constraints and requirements for a solution: what the solution must or must not have to be successful. A specification is not a description of the outcome. It should demonstrate that students understand the needs of the problem that they have identified. Every aspect of a specification must be specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and testable (SMART).

The specification should be directly connected to the design brief. Writing a specification can be a difficult job if the design brief is not well researched and written. If a solution or design fails to meet an aspect of the specification, it can be considered that it has not met the criteria for success.

Students will need to refer back to the specification throughout the project, particularly when developing ideas and evaluating the solution.