How do you spec out your project?

Question

all. I'm wondering how do you spec./plan out your project? For example, for webiste you can use Wireframe. How about for desktop or add-ins such as MS Office add-ins? I want it as simple as possible and don't want spend all day using some sort of diagram software to sketch it out. Do I simply write down what features I want to build for the software then filter out what is possible and what is not possible? Any tips is appreciated.

Answer 1

The absolute simplest method of 'em all is to whiteboard it and take pictures of what you've done.

Answer 2

Paper/Pencil

For initial ideas, sketches, basic flow charts.

Visio

Once I have the ideas down. I flesh out the methods, flow charts etc. in MS Visio. Then I start writing

Answer 3

Wireframes will work for any GUI - it doesn't have to be a web GUI. I've absolutely used them for client apps in Java using Swing, for example.

I think in general, you need to spec at the level at which you need to communicate. Since your UI involves both developers and users, you need to spec at a level at which everyone involved can understand. For a fast, 1-3 man project, that's probably a sketch in a notepad or on a white board. For a big 20 + person project that's probably:

• initial team brainstorming on a whiteboard
• elaboration with Visio or another tool that will at least draw GUI-looking objects
• Use case elaboration of what happens before, during and after the pictures
• over arching style guides and dictionaries so that as people draw GUIs, the interfaces look alike
• specifications between systems if needed

I'm a big proponent of putting out only as much design as you need. If you can draw it, have the user feel confident in your solution, and have your team reach a shared understanding of the plan - then you're good.

Answer 4

Whiteboard+marker and/or paper and pencil work for me. I have heard many say so too. It is, in a way, connecting the dots between what is desired and what is existing.