What is a Functional Specification? Project Management in Under 5

The video tutorial explains functional specifications, which are formal documents used in technical and software projects to outline system functions, capabilities, and interactions. It highlights the importance of interfaces and clarifies that functional specifications focus on what users will receive from the system, not how it will be implemented. The manual-first approach is discussed, where a user manual is written first and used as a basis for the functional specification. The tutorial also covers project definition deliverables, including requirements and objectives, and emphasizes the importance of balancing time, cost, and quality constraints. Functional specifications serve as a technical response to project needs and initiate technical discussions about project delivery.

What is the primary focus of a functional specification document?

• The budget and time constraints

• How the system will be implemented

• The user interface design

• The functions and interactions of the system

What is the advantage of writing the user manual before the functional specification?

• It allows for more creative freedom

• It speeds up the development process

• It ensures the system meets user needs

• It reduces the overall project cost

In the context of project deliverables, what do requirements typically describe?

• Technical specifications

• User needs

• Budget constraints

• System architecture

How are objectives different from requirements in a project?

• Objectives are more general than requirements

• Objectives focus on user stories

• Objectives translate requirements into technical terms

• Objectives are optional in project planning

What is the role of a functional specification in a technical project?

• To test the system's performance

• To finalize the project budget

• To start technical discussions about delivery

• To design the user interface