The requirements specification describes the same things as the requirements definition document, but the specification is intended for system developers and is represented in the language or in terms understandable to the developer. The requirement specification is often referred to as the system functional specification, even though its scope extends beyond the functional requirements of the system.
The requirements specification, or the functional specification, is far from being a primitive translation of the requirements’ definitions into a technical language. The specification can further break down the requirements into categories, and add details by formulating a set of derived requirements. For example, in the initial definition of requirements, it can be stated that the system must operate efficiently within the specified temperature range, while the specification can define different modes in which the system can operate within different temperature ranges. To some extent, the definition of requirements is a declaration of what the customer needs and what he would like to receive, and the specification is a response from a team of specialists, which describes what the future system will be able to do. These days, it is the tendency to use independent testing services so that to ensure successful development of software products whatever they are.
Compilers of the requirements specification can use a natural language or choose a language or symbols from a wide range of languages designed specifically for writing requirements specifications. Since terms in natural language can be interpreted in different ways, their application can enhance mutual misunderstanding between the customer and the developer, unless special measures are taken to refine the meanings of individual words such as, for example, “productivity”, “practicality”, “reliable” etc.
The completed formal requirements specification should be subjected to static testing to verify that every requirement recorded in the requirements definition document is reflected in the requirements specification, and each requirement of one document is displayed or tracked from another document. The final version of the specification must undergo static testing in order to ensure that the requirements described in the specification are complete, consistent, feasible, maintainable, unique and relevant.
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