In this blog post, we delve into a method I’ve employed as a Functional Analyst to streamline the process of specifying functionalities in software projects. It's important to note that while this approach worked well for my project, its effectiveness may vary depending on the nature of your projects.
Introduction:
In my experience as a developer, I've written numerous stories to ensure clear specifications for my team. However, I often found that the conventional approach of cramming details into small description boxes, typically found in project management tools like JIRA, led to poor readability and overlooked details.
Recently, during an analysis project, I was tasked with documenting stories in Confluence instead. Initially skeptical, I discovered that composing full functionalities in text form allowed for easier segmentation of features into manageable stories, minimizing overhead.
Functionality Template:
Below is the breakdown of the sections we utilized to describe our functionalities:
Context:This section provides relevant background information contextualizing the problem we aim to solve. Understanding the context aids developers in grasping the purpose behind the feature being developed.
Description:Comprising the bulk of our story, this section delineates all necessary requirements for the functionality in detail. We employ various headings and include architecture diagrams and domain model visualizations, if needed, to furnish developers with comprehensive information to implement the feature.
Structured descriptions facilitated the division of specifications into subsections, which then became individual stories for developers to tackle.
Acceptance Criteria:Outlined as a checklist, the acceptance criteria ensure that developers can verify the functionality they've built meets the expected standards. These criteria encompass both functional and non-functional requirements, tailored to the specific feature being developed.
Design:This section typically contains a link to the design for the feature in Figma. Avoiding static screenshots in stories prevents outdated information, as designs may evolve during refinement meetings. By linking directly to the design file, we ensure access to the most up-to-date version.
Conclusion:
While the template described above proved effective for our project, it's crucial to recognize that it's not a one-size-fits-all solution. Each project warrants individual assessment to determine what approach works best.
Numerous templates are available online, ranging from minimalist to intricate. One notable resource is Reforge artifacts, offering insights from prominent companies. Remember, these templates serve as tools to achieve your objectives, and experimentation is key to finding what suits your project best.