systembeskrivelse

The systembeskrivelse, or system description, is a formal document used in systems engineering and project management to define a proposed or existing system. It describes what the system is for, its scope and boundaries, the major stakeholders, and the intended environment in which it operates. It provides a common reference for developers, operators, and sponsors.

Content typically includes purpose and objectives, system context, boundary and external interfaces, high-level architecture and components, functional and non-functional requirements, data and information flows, performance, reliability, safety, security, and compliance constraints. It may include diagrams such as context diagrams, block diagrams, and interface lists to illustrate interactions.

The document is usually prepared early in a project and refined during development. It serves as a baseline for design, verification, and testing, supports decision making and procurement, and helps manage scope changes. It also aids maintenance by documenting rationale and dependencies.

In practice, the systembeskrivelse is aligned with organisational standards or international systems engineering procedures. It may be complemented by more detailed design specifications, interfaces agreements, and a verification plan. Example: a municipal e-services platform would define its boundary to include the platform and integrated services, external actors like citizens and providers, and interfaces to payment gateways and identity services.