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Subject:Re: Documenting from Program Specs From:Kris Olberg <kjolberg -at- IX -dot- NETCOM -dot- COM> Date:Fri, 6 Feb 1998 13:46:26 -0600
-----Original Message-----
From: Tom Johnson <johnsont -at- freeway -dot- net>
To: TECHWR-L -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU <TECHWR-L -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU>
>The goal is to have the documentation completed the same time as the
>program. The programmers will be responsible for making sure the code
>matches the specs and the manual. I remember a brief thread about this a
>year or more ago and I wondered if it ever works in real life.
Yes, it does work, but plan for changes. The product almost never looks/acts
exactly as described in the specs. It will evolve slightly even through the
development process, so you need to be flexible. Talk with the programmers
several times a week to discover what's changing and how.
>Have others found this to be a workable approach? Have you found fewer
>revisions are necessary? Right now I'm looking forward to trying this
>approach. I've also been asked to voice any concerns I have regarding
>usability. Any comments?
I've never found this approach to decrease revisions. In fact, it may
increase them, but I have no facts to back up that assertion. However, the
resulting documentation was highly accurate.
Regards...Kris
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kolberg -at- actamed -dot- com
kris -at- olberg -dot- com