What Software Specification Tools Do You Use?

IronWilliamCash writes "I currently work for a small software development company and for many years we have been using internally built tools for all our software specifications, bugs, change requests and the like. Traceability is a big issue as we are CMMI level 2, and thus our internal processes need to be clear and everything must be documented. We are currently looking into getting a unified solution for this, and after quite a bit of Googling, there are quite a few different options (Contour, Kovair, MKS, Doors, CaliberFM, Accept360, etc.). I was wondering: what do other Slashdotters use in their everyday life? Does it fulfill your needs? And what is the most important part in a specification management tool?"

Re:It depends on the platform

[Anonymous Coward]

Yes. Of course real programmers use Notepad++.

None

[defaria]

There are two ways to work - one is to plan methodically each and every aspect of what you intend to do for months then spend the 2 weeks it takes to actually do it and the other is to just asking do in 2 weeks and move onward. You seem to be of the first camp...

Re:My sympathy for you

[JamesP]

rational tools are anything but rational

I absolutely will think twice before taking a job that requires them.

However, one tool that I found to be extremely useful amd totally worth its price is Enterprise Architect. I don't remember if it does requirements

Re:Word to the wise

[Anonymous Coward]

I am an auditor and you are so wrong!
Process Control is not about checking boxes as much as having control of you processes. Checklists are a tool to do the auditing of a process, not a goal to reach in themslves.
If you really care so little about your processes, come tomorrow they will byte you in the ass.
You know, it's like the unfastened seatbelt that you always wear in your car "because it's less bothersome" but still fools the cops.
At accident time you will be the sore ass with broken ribs.
Sorry, this downplay of yours of process control systems is simply unprofessional. I had enough of the "software developers are artists that have no rules" mantra.

Get real

Re:It depends on the platform

[BadAnalogyGuy]

I'm laughing.

at you.

get away from CMM if you can

[Vo1t]

Let me recommend a book : "Lean Software Strategies: Proven Techniques for Managers and Developers". It containes throrough analysis of craft, mass and lean production strategies and their reflections in software (CMM being on the mass side = already obsolete approach). If you can't abandon CMM because of market conditions, think about embracing CMM with as much lean as possible as Peter Middleton describes, and find auditors who would understand and allow you advance on CMM scale without sacrificing productivity and adding waste to your process. In terms of tools, good issue tracking system with customizable workflows is what I recommend.