PREPARATION OF SPECIFICATIONS

Specifications provide a basis for obtaining a product or service that will satisfy a particular need, at an economical cost, by inviting maximum reasonable competition. By definition, a specification sets limits and thereby eliminates, or potentially eliminates, items that are outside the boundaries drawn. A specification should be written to encourage competition consistent with seeking overall economy for the purpose intended. Specifications should do four things: (1) identify minimum requirements, (2) list reproducible test methods to be used in testing for compliance with specifications, (3) allow for a competitive bid, and (4) provide for an equitable award at the lowest possible cost. There exists a variety of automated tools available to maintain specifications across multiple documents, and multiple levels of documents, such as the IBM Telelogic DOORS tool, and these are recommended for use.