fachspezifik

A fachspezifik, or fachspezifikation, is a field-specific specification used to document the requirements, constraints, and evaluation criteria that apply to a particular discipline, product, system, or process. It supplements general specifications by incorporating domain knowledge, standards, and industry practices that are not universally applicable.

The purpose of a fachspezifik is to ensure that a project or artifact aligns with the technical and contextual specifics of a domain. It defines the scope, intended use, audience, and context, and it sets out functional and non-functional requirements, performance metrics, interfaces, data models, and quality attributes. It may also include safety, regulatory, and interoperability requirements, as well as criteria for testing, validation, and acceptance.

Typical contents of a fachspezifik include problem definition, scope and boundaries, stakeholder requirements, domain-specific constraints, performance criteria, data and interface specifications, applicable standards and normative references, testing and validation plans, acceptance criteria, and traceability links to higher-level goals or other specifications. It often references established domain knowledge and can be developed through collaboration among domain experts, engineers, end users, and project managers. Versioning, change management, and traceability are important to maintain consistency over time.

Fachspezifik are used in various domains, including software engineering with industry-specific terminology, mechanical and electrical engineering, healthcare, education, and research. They help ensure readability among specialists, facilitate procurement and compliance, and support rigorous evaluation within a discipline.

See also: requirements engineering, domain-specific standards, interoperability, specification hierarchy.