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XS✔ ◾ Spec category - reorder rules and improve description (#7130)
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* Spec category - reorder rules and improve description

also fixed some spelling

* Add image

* Update categories/management/rules-to-better-specification-reviews.md

Co-authored-by: Jack Pettit [SSW] <[email protected]>

* Update categories/management/rules-to-better-specification-reviews.md

Co-authored-by: Jack Pettit [SSW] <[email protected]>

* Update categories/management/rules-to-better-specification-reviews.md

Co-authored-by: Jack Pettit [SSW] <[email protected]>

---------

Co-authored-by: Jack Pettit [SSW] <[email protected]>
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bradystroud and JackDevAU authored Oct 31, 2023
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20 changes: 11 additions & 9 deletions categories/management/rules-to-better-specification-reviews.md
Original file line number Diff line number Diff line change
Expand Up @@ -7,34 +7,36 @@ index:
- what-is-a-spec-review
- conduct-a-spec-review
- corridor-conversations
- spec-add-value
- use-ai-to-generate-spec-reviews
- spec-do-you-create-an-initial-release-plan-and-ballpark
- spec-do-you-know-how-to-estimate-a-project-that-include-the-general-project-costs
- spec-give-customers-a-ballpark
- keep-PBIs-smaller-than-2-days
- specification-review-presentation
- specification-levels
- follow-up-after-spec-review
- spec-do-you-start-the-work-soon-after-the-specification-review
- spec-do-you-use-user-stories
- involve-all-stakeholders
- get-accurate-information
- limit-project-scope
- spec-add-value
- follow-up-after-spec-review
- spec-do-you-start-the-work-soon-after-the-specification-review
- user-journey-mapping
- event-storming
- event-storming-workshop
- connect-crm-to-microsoft-teams
- keep-PBIs-smaller-than-2-days

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Specification Reviews are the 1st step to properly engaging with a client and need to be done well.
The following are rules that will make sure you know how and how much, to spec-out upfront.
Specification Reviews are the first step to engaging properly with a client and need to be executed well. The following rules will ensure you know how, and how much, to spec out upfront.

Many teams start their implementation before dedicating time to understanding the primary purpose and functionality of the software. In some agile-leaning environments, the often simplistic user story is considered essential, contrasting with the detailing of all software functionality, which is viewed as "too waterfall." Garnering multiple perspectives from different stakeholders (both business and technical) during Spec Reviews is crucial for accurately capturing the intended function and behavior of the software.

Many teams start their implementation before spending time understanding the software's primary purpose and functionality. Some agile(ish) environments think the often simplistic user story is essential versus detailing all software functionality, which is deemed "too waterfall". Getting multiple perspectives from different stakeholders (both business and technical) during Spec Reviews is essential to get the intended function and behaviour of the software right.
Despite meticulous reviews, some aspects remain overlooked. The unknown 'unknowns' inevitably come to light as the work advances, making the estimation of knowledge work like software development (along with its testing phase) challenging. Risk emerges from the overlooked or unanticipated factors, even after thorough consideration. It's crucial to acknowledge that new insights will continually arise as we navigate through the development and testing phases—irrespective of the upfront thoroughness.

Tools like journey maps are a useful input into both development and testing, providing fertile ground for coming up with test ideas and identifying areas of risk to influence test coverage.

Having senior testers involved in this step can be valuable as they bring different skills and perspectives to the review, especially as they’re generally one of the few people in the team with a focus on what might go wrong (via a critical thinking mindset), rather than focusing on success (typical of the builder’s mindset).

Any review still leaves stuff on the table. There will always be the unknown ‘unknowns’ that only reveal themselves as you actually get into the work. This makes knowledge work like software development (and testing as part of it) difficult to estimate accurately. Risk is what’s left over when you think you’ve thought of everything. It is important to acknowledge that we will always learn new things as we proceed through development and testing – no matter how thorough we try to be up front.

Tools like journey maps are a useful input into both development and testing, providing fertile ground for coming up with test ideas and identifying areas of risk to influence test coverage.
![Figure: Spec Reviews are the first proper client engagement](dalle-3-spec-review.png)

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