How to Craft a Comprehensive Product Design Specification: A Detailed Guide

When embarking on the creation of a new product, one of the most crucial steps is to develop a solid product design specification. This document acts as the blueprint to guide the product development process, ensuring that all stakeholders are on the same page. In this guide, we will explore the essential components of a product design specification, from the initial brief to the detailed instructions for engineers. We will also discuss some of the in-between states that are crucial for the design process.

1. Overview of a Product Design Specification

A product design specification or design brief, much like a product requirements document (PRD), serves as a comprehensive guide that outlines the scope, goals, and strategy of the project. Key elements include:

1.1 Basic Information

Project Name: The name of the project to clearly identify the product. Project Description: A detailed overview of the project, including its purpose and objectives.

1.2 Stakeholders and Users

Stakeholders: Identify the key stakeholders involved in the project and their roles. Audience/Users: Define the target audience and users who will be interacting with the product.

1.3 Background

The project background provides context for the project, including previous work, market research, and any relevant information that influences the project's direction.

1.4 Goals and Objectives

Design Goals: Clearly define the goals the product aims to achieve.

1.5 Constraints

Constraints: Outline any limitations or restrictions that may affect the design and development process.

1.6 Deliverables

Deliverables: List the outcomes or results that the project must deliver.

1.7 Resources and Costs

Resources/Cost: Detail the resources required and the associated costs for the project.

1.8 Measuring Outcomes

Measuring Outcomes: Define how the success of the project will be measured.

1.9 Timeline and Deadlines

Timeline/Deadline: Provide a timeline for the project, including important deadlines.

2. Transition into a Production Specification Report

As the project progresses, the product design specification may evolve into a production specification report. This document provides detailed instructions for the engineers to build the product. Here are some key elements to include:

2.1 Preliminary Research

Cover any preliminary research conducted, including market analysis, user research, and competitor analysis.

2.2 Data Models

Data models are crucial for understanding the structure and relationships within the product. Include data flow diagrams, entity relationship diagrams, and any other relevant data models.

2.3 Mockups

Mockups are visual representations of the product design. They help stakeholders visualize the final product and make informed decisions during the design process.

2.4 Prototypes

Create prototypes to test different design concepts and gather feedback from users and stakeholders. This can be a card prototype, a wireframe, or a high-fidelity prototype.

2.5 Redlines

Redlines are changes made to the design during the review process. They help identify and resolve issues early in the development cycle.

2.6 User Flow Diagrams

Illustrate the user journey through the product with user flow diagrams. This helps stakeholders understand how users will interact with the product.

2.7 Open Questions

Include any open questions or areas that require further clarification. This ensures that all aspects of the project are thoroughly understood by all stakeholders.

3. The Intermediary States in the Design Process

During the design process, there are several intermediary states that are essential for the effective development of the product. Here are two key concepts to consider:

3.1 The UI Stack — Scott Hurff

The UI Stack is a comprehensive framework for building user interfaces. It encompasses various layers of design, from low-level programming to high-level visual design. This stack helps ensure a consistent and coherent design throughout the product development process.

Several layers are included in the UI Stack, such as:

Frontend Backend Interaction Visual Design Usability

3.2 The Nine States of Design — Startups Wanderlust and Life Hacking

The Nine States of Design, proposed by Startups Wanderlust and Life Hacking, outline the various stages of product design:

Exploration Prototyping Iteration Testing Validation Error Management Optimization Maintenance Conclusion

Each state represents a key phase in the design process, from exploring ideas to validating and optimizing the final product.

4. Conclusion

Creating a comprehensive product design specification is essential for ensuring the successful development of a product. By including all the necessary elements and understanding the various intermediary states, designers and stakeholders can work together to create a product that meets the needs and expectations of users.