Getting Accurate Specifications for Software? 147
spiffcow asks: "I design internal software for users that are largely computer-illiterate, and obtaining accurate specs for these programs has become a huge challenge. In the most recent instance, I asked for detailed specs on what an accounting program should do (i.e. accounting rules, calculation methods, and so forth), and received a Word document mock-up of an input screen, complete with useless stickers. This seems to be the norm around here. When I asked my boss (the head Sales manager) for specs, he responded saying that it was my responsibility to determine what was needed. How do I convey to the users that, in order to develop the software they want, I need detailed, accurate specs?"
Well... (Score:2, Funny)
Step 2: Place HTML documents on webserver, hang around on slashdot until deadline and claim all their requirements have been fulfilled.
Step 3: ???
Step 4: Fired!
accurate specs (Score:4, Funny)
Become an analyst, and hire programmers (Score:5, Funny)
123. This is a major requirement.
123.1. This is a minor.
123.01A.1. Please refer to 782.5.1¾.1A.
123.5.1.A. This is a MAJOR requirement.
78.a7.A. A history should be kept for all items. Never should any item be permanently deleted.
342.8. Wullywuz must always be permanently deleted.