In our last blog, we discussed how we analyzed and observed problems in a codebase to design an architecture that aligned with the client’s vision. This time, we’ll explore a critical aspect of that process: documentation. While documentation often conjures up thoughts of user manuals and dry instructions, we believe it’s much more than that. Good documentation is a blueprint—a software on paper that provides a clear roadmap for development.
Documentation allows teams to keep track of analyses, observations, and decisions, ensuring that every phase of development is transparent, cohesive, and efficient. Here, we’ll outline the stages of documentation we follow and discuss the advantages of this structured approach.
Documentation Stages: Parallel Processes for Design and Development
We divide documentation into distinct stages, with the design and development teams working in parallel to maximize efficiency. Each stage builds upon the last, ensuring that the documentation evolves alongside the project. Here’s how we break it down:
1. Software Requirement Specification (SRS)
The SRS is the foundation of any project, defining the scope and details from the client’s perspective. It becomes the ultimate source of truth, freezing the scope and providing a reference point for all future development decisions.
- Objective: Capture the client’s vision in granular detail.
- Outcome: A document that outlines all functional and non-functional requirements, constraints, and dependencies.
2. Feature Analysis and Client Questionnaire
Once the SRS is finalized, the development and design teams split responsibilities:
- Feature Analysis (Development Team):
- Focuses on the technical feasibility of the features defined in the SRS.
- Identifies third-party dependencies that need to be procured.
- Estimates the infrastructure required for the app.
- Client Questionnaire (Design Team):
- Gathers insights into the brand’s vision, goals, and target audience.
- Ensures the app’s user experience reflects the brand identity.
The separation of these tasks ensures a dual focus on technical functionality and user experience.
3. Sitemap and Wireframe
The insights from the client questionnaire lead to the creation of a sitemap and wireframe:
- Sitemap: A hierarchical structure of the app’s screens and user flows.
- Wireframe: A skeletal blueprint of the app’s layout, highlighting the placement of UI elements and interaction points.
These are shared with the development team to cross-check against the feature analysis and to begin working on the software architecture.
4. API-Centric Approach for SaaS and Mobile Apps
For SaaS and mobile apps, we refine the feature analysis by adopting an API-centric approach:
- API Schema: Based on the wireframes, we create an API schema that defines how data will flow between the frontend and backend.
- Model Creation: The API schema informs the creation of database models, ensuring consistency across the app.
This step bridges the gap between design and development, providing a technical backbone for the app’s functionality.
5. Software Architecture
The heart of the documentation process is the software architecture. The goal is to create a detailed and dynamic blueprint that will guide the entire development lifecycle.
- Model Schema: Defines all database models, their fields, and types.
- Relational Diagram: Illustrates relationships between models.
- Module Definitions: Identifies key modules and breaks them into:
- Models: The data structures.
- APIs: Interfaces for interaction.
- Services: Core functionalities.
- Algorithms: Custom logic for unique app features.
- Development Lifecycle:
- Groups tasks into epics and sprints.
- Identifies possible bottlenecks and sets a timeline.
- Testing Strategy:
- General and edge test cases are defined.
- Error-handling techniques are established.
6. Visual Documentation Tools
We use visual aids to ensure clarity and consistency:
- Relational Diagrams: Map out the database structure.
- Sequence Diagrams: Highlight the flow of operations and user interactions.
- Tools: Notion and draw.io for documentation and JSON schemas for defining data structures.
7. Ongoing Updates
Documentation isn’t static. Any major change during development leads to an immediate update in the documentation. This keeps the entire team aligned and ensures that future developers can pick up the project with ease.
Advantages of a Structured Documentation Process
Why do we place such importance on documentation? Here are some of the key benefits:
1. Clarity and Transparency
- Provides a single source of truth for the entire team.
- Eliminates confusion by clearly outlining roles, responsibilities, and expectations.
2. Improved Collaboration
- Enables parallel workstreams between design and development teams.
- Ensures that decisions made by one team are immediately communicated to the other.
3. Scalability and Flexibility
- Modular documentation allows for easy updates and additions.
- A well-documented API schema and software architecture ensure that new features can be integrated seamlessly.
4. Time and Cost Savings
- Identifying dependencies and bottlenecks early prevents costly delays.
- Structured documentation reduces the need for back-and-forth clarifications.
5. Long-Term Maintainability
- Future developers can quickly understand the project by referencing the documentation.
- A dynamic blueprint minimizes the risk of technical debt.
Real-World Example: Our Approach in Action
When working on a recent matchmaking app, we followed this structured documentation process to great effect:
- SRS: Captured the client’s vision of a culturally sensitive app with over 100 unique questions.
- Feature Analysis: Identified third-party dependencies for the timer-based matchmaking flow.
- Client Questionnaire: Defined a cohesive brand identity that influenced the app’s UX design.
- Sitemap and Wireframe: Created a clear roadmap for user interactions.
- Software Architecture: Built a dynamic blueprint that included relational diagrams and state machines.
- Ongoing Updates: Adapted the documentation as new challenges arose during development.
The result? A scalable, maintainable, and user-friendly app that aligned perfectly with the client’s vision.
Conclusion
Documentation is the unsung hero of software development. By treating it as a dynamic blueprint rather than a static manual, we can ensure clarity, scalability, and maintainability throughout the development lifecycle. From the initial SRS to the final architecture review, every stage of documentation plays a vital role in turning a client’s vision into reality.
Stay tuned for our next blog, where we’ll explore the role of visual tools like draw.io and JSON schemas in creating documentation that’s both detailed and easy to understand. And don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss out!
Need help with your project’s documentation? Contact us today to ensure your next app is built on a solid foundation!
