Software Engineering

1.7 
Specification and documentation trees
The specification tree identifies the requirement specifications that must be pre-
pared to guide the design and testing for the software product and every element 
of the product configuration. For a software product, the specification tree will 
identify the requirement specifications associated with each software configura-
tion item, software external interfaces, and the computing environment. In addition, 
each of the post-development processes (e.g., replication, distribution, training, and 
support) should have a process specification prepared. The specification tree is a 
project management tool where the required specifications are identified as formal 
deliverables for the project.
The documentation tree is a technical management tool that addresses the 
related specifications, design documents, drawings, and diagrams that are necessary 
to be generated in support of the software development effort. It provides a com-
plete view of the set of documentation necessary to document the software prod-
uct and post-development sustainment processes. The documentation tree should 
include all of the technical documentation, including technical plans, software 
architecture descriptions, software development folders, test procedures, installa-
tion guides, and user manuals.
The SBS and specification and documentation trees are useful tools for under-
standing the actual progress of the software development effort and the readiness of 
the product to transition to operations and sustainment. The SBS and documenta-
tion tree are also critical in determining the full impact of proposed changes and 
their impact on the software development effort.