How to Make a Mobile App Specification Document?

8 Tips to Write Mobile App Specification Document

A carefully created mobile app specification document diminishes ambiguity, by guaranteeing that the developer focuses on precisely what is needed to be done. Also, the document provides a clear picture of the scope of the work, empowering the developer to better use the time in development tasks. But, how would you make a precise document? Here is all that you need to consider:

Describe the Idea in One Line

We believe a perfect idea can fit in one line. The line may incorporate a main feature of the application so that people reading the document understands quickly what the application is about. For example, if you want to develop a calorie tracking application, it could be, “An application to track calories taken to help the individuals who are conscious about their weight.” Or it may be like “a location-based taxi application like Uber.”

Talk about Your Previous Work

The mobile app specification document is imperative because it will explain your idea to your developer.

So, you have to tell them a couple of imperative things as whether it is your first time when you are executing the idea or you have just had an experience previously? Do you want to build up your mobile application for connecting or engaging more people? Do you have any information on mobile application development? Answering these questions will help developers understand your background and what you exactly want. The developer can then analyze all things together to give a kick-start to your venture.

Also Read: Top 5 Mobile App Development Trends to Watch Out in 2020

Beware of Your Target Audience

Who is your application for? By having an idea of your prospective customers, a designer will be able to design the application as per their interest. It’ll enable them to design a proper user experience – something that is intuitive, accessible and visually fitting for your objective market.

To help with this phase of the process, you can create a user persona or two. How aged is your target audience? Are they aware of technology? What do they watch, read and like to do? The more you are aware of them, the more your designers can tailor the application to them.

Beware of Device Compatibility

This is one of the most important parts of writing technical specifications for your mobile app. You must specify in your document which devices you want your app to be compatible with.

Never should you make a situation when a client downloads the application onto his phone with desire for utilizing its functions and afterward gets disappointed because the application is not compatible with his/her device and its technical specifications.

In case the compatibility guidelines are specified clearly in the mobile app specification document, then users can undoubtedly recognize whether the application will work on their device or not (be it Tablet PC’s or smartphones) without downloading the application. Also, do an intensive research to study what sort of gadgets are out there to ensure you build up an application that can be supported by the majority of the devices.

Mention Your Product Goals

What would you want to accomplish by developing an application? Try to include some of your objectives in the mobile app specification document. For example:

• Create an extra revenue/traffic channel to your business website.
• Become the upcoming Instagram/Snapchat and revolutionize social media.

Your application objective should depict the issue you are trying to solve and the outcomes you’d like to accomplish. If you are a small-sized company, it’s additionally advisable to do a quick SWOT analysis before writing the application specification document. Also, it should enable you to combine your ideas better.

Alternatively, you may have some SMART targets for your products. That is:

• Specific – “I need to generate XXX application downloads inside seven days after my app gets released on app store.”
• Measurable – “I need new clients to sign in to my application at least once daily”.
• Attainable – Be sensible while setting goals or objectives for your application. Doesn’t matter how incredible your app is, it is not going to revolutionize the whole industry in a month.
• Realistic – “I need an MVP application to be prepared in 2 months, not two weeks”
• Time-Bound – “I’ll wrap up the task of writing my app specification document by today 10 pm”.

Also include these targets in your mobile app specification document.

Specify the Operating System You Require

This is an important point to mention. You have to select the type of OS on which your application will work. Are you building up the application for the Android users or is it for the iPhone users. On the other hand, there are a few applications that are accessible on both the platform. The choice will, for the most part, rely on what your budget is.

The Choice among Native and Hybrid

The choice isn’t just amongst Android and iOS OS, however, it is also between the two most plausible rival platforms i.e. Native and Hybrid.

Native applications are programs that are developed for one platform only. However, hybrid applications are a blend of native applications HTML5 with JavaScript. In case you don’t know which platform to select, you can consult with an experienced app development company.

The Choice over the Language

Once you specify the platform for your mobile app the other important thing you need to mention is the choice of your coding language. You can study the advantages and disadvantages of various languages on the Internet to select the one you require.

Application Maintenance

Application maintenance is an imperative part of the process that helps in keeping the application productive for a long period of time. You need to specify in the technical specification document for mobile application whether you are interested in taking Maintenance policies or not.

Budget and Task Deadlines

You already know that application development can be an expensive task. That’s why; it is always good to set up a budget beforehand to get a statement from the app development company. The developers will ask your estimation while talking about the task. Depending on your estimation, they will let you know whether you can proceed with the task or not.

Also, if you are time bound and need the task to be finished within a specific time frame, mention it in the document.

Conclusion

While making the technical specification document for mobile application, you should be to the point and very clear about what you require. It ought to be exact and written in an effectively understandable manner. Try not to focus or mention unnecessary things. It will give you the self-trust that you are on the correct path and the mobile app development company can provide their full cooperation and support in finishing your task.

The more precise you are, the more well-suited price estimation you will get from the app design and development company. You should also be flexible to listen to what the developer needs to state while talking about the venture. Keep in mind that they are experienced experts who can give the best in making your application a big hit. So, do not forget to listen to them and also specify precisely what you require in the mobile app specification document.