Turn an idea into something vendors can quote — and be held to.
Ambiguity is the single most expensive thing in a software project. We translate your intent into a specification precise enough that competing vendors quote the same thing, and complete enough that you can objectively judge whether it was delivered.
“Turn an idea into something vendors can accurately quote and objectively deliver.”
The decisions this engagement is built to resolve.
- What exactly is being built — in language both you and a vendor can agree on?
- How will you know, objectively, that it is done?
- What performance, security and scale must it meet?
- What must every quotation cover, so comparisons are fair?
Inside the engagement.
The areas we examine and the ground we cover on your behalf.
Business Requirements (BRD)
The business intent, users and outcomes captured in language a non-technical stakeholder can sign off.
Software Requirements (SRS)
The technical specification vendors build and estimate against.
Functional requirements
Every capability the system must provide, described unambiguously.
Non-functional requirements
Performance, availability, security and maintainability made explicit rather than assumed.
User journeys
The real paths your users take, mapped so nothing critical is discovered mid-build.
Performance criteria
Response times, throughput and load expectations written as measurable targets.
Scalability
How far the system must stretch, and by when — so it is not over- or under-engineered.
Security
The security posture, data handling and compliance obligations the build must satisfy.
Integrations
Every external system, payment, identity or data source the software must connect to.
Hosting
Environment and infrastructure expectations, so hosting isn't an afterthought at go-live.
Documentation
The documentation the vendor must produce and hand over as part of delivery.
Acceptance criteria
The objective tests that decide whether a feature — and the project — is complete.
Deliverables
- Business Requirements Document (BRD)
- Software Requirements Specification (SRS)
- Functional & non-functional requirement set
- User journey maps and key flows
- Acceptance criteria that define 'done'
- A specification pack vendors can quote against directly
Outcomes
- 01Competing vendors quote the same scope, so prices become comparable.
- 02'Done' is defined before work starts, not argued after.
- 03Change requests become the exception, not the business model.
Further reading
What Every Software SOW Should Define
A statement of work is the last cheap chance to prevent an expensive dispute. Most leave out the things that matter.
How to Compare Software Development Proposals
Vendors rarely make their proposals comparable. A disciplined buyer makes them comparable anyway.
Why Software Development Quotes Vary So Dramatically
The same brief can return a $10,000 quote and a $120,000 quote. Here is what that spread is actually telling you.
Other ways we help
Bring an independent advisor into this decision.
Tell us where your project stands. We’ll show you exactly how an independent view would change the outcome.