The system design specification is a document that presents the complete design for the
new information system, along with detailed costs, staffing, and scheduling for completing
the next SDLC phase — systems implementation.
The system design specification is the baseline against which the operational system
will be measured. Unlike the system requirements document, which is written for users
to understand, the system design specification is oriented toward the programmers who
will use it to create the necessary programs. Some sections of the system requirements
document are repeated in the system design specification, such as process descriptions,
data dictionary entries, and data flow diagrams.
The system design specification varies in length, so you must organize it carefully and
number all pages in sequence. You should include a cover page, a detailed table of contents,
and an index. The contents of the system design specification depend on company
standards and the complexity of the system. A typical system design specification typically
includes the following sections.