Specifikaci

Specifikaci, a form used in Czech and Slovak (the accusative form of specifikace), refers to a documented set of requirements and constraints that define what a product, system, or service must deliver. In English, this concept is known as a specification. The specification serves as a contract among stakeholders, designers, engineers, and customers, guiding development and verification.

Different types of specifications exist. A functional specification describes the intended behavior and features of the product. A technical or design specification defines architecture, interfaces, data formats, performance targets, and standards. Non-functional specifications cover qualities such as reliability, security, usability, and maintainability. Documents often include interfaces and explicit acceptance criteria.

Specification work follows a lifecycle: requirements elicitation and analysis, documentation, and creation of the specification document; followed by review, validation, and approval. Good practices include version control, traceability from requirements to design and testing, and change management to handle evolving needs. Verification and validation confirm that the product meets the specification.

Applications span software, hardware, construction, manufacturing, and procurement. A clear specification reduces ambiguity, supports planning and budgeting, and provides a basis for testing plans, quality assurance, and contract compliance. Compliance with standards and frameworks for requirements engineering and systems engineering is common, helping to align teams and regulators.

See also: specification, requirements engineering, verification and validation.