Design Methodology › Step Two: Developing the Design › External/Functional Specifications › Documenting the Design

Documenting the Design

When the user approves the basic design, the developer needs to document the details of that design. The application worksheets are examples of the types of forms that can be used to document the dialogs, maps, records, and processes required by an application. The lists serve as helpful reference tools/checklists when the application is being defined online in the prototyping step (see "Step Three: Building a Prototype" in this chapter).

The following figures detail sample Application Worksheets:

Charts or checklists, such as those shown in the previous graphic, also serve as excellent documentation for an application, because all pieces of the application, as well as their relationships, are detailed.

Additionally, the use of naming conventions is helpful: consistent use of naming standards makes it easier to keep track of application and dialog components as they are created and maintained.

For suggestions on the use of standard naming techniques, see Chapter 6, Naming Conventions.