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College of Engineering
Capstone

Software Design Package

When creating a design package for a software project, it's important to include a comprehensive set of documents that cover all aspects of the software. Here are some common documents you should consider including:

1. Project Overview

Purpose: To provide a high-level summary of the project.

  • Title Page: Project name, version, date, authors, and corporate sponsor details.
  • Abstract: A brief summary of the project, its goals, and its significance.
  • Table of Contents: Organized listing of all sections and documents included.

2. Requirements Document

Purpose: To specify what the software should do.

  • Functional Requirements: Detailed description of the software’s functionalities.
  • Non-Functional Requirements: Performance, security, usability, and other attributes.
  • User Stories/Use Cases: Scenarios showing how users will interact with the software.

3. Design Document

Purpose: To explain how the software is structured and how it works.

  • System Architecture: High-level architecture diagrams (e.g., component diagrams).
  • Detailed Design: Class diagrams, data flow diagrams, and other detailed design models.
  • Database Schema: Diagrams and explanations of the database structure.
  • API Documentation: Detailed description of all APIs, endpoints, and methods.

4. Implementation Document

Purpose: To provide details about the actual code and its organization.

  • Code Structure: Explanation of the directory structure and file organization.
  • Coding Standards: Standards and conventions used in the code.
  • Installation Guide: Steps to set up the development environment and install dependencies.

5. Testing Document

Purpose: To detail the testing strategy and results.

  • Test Plan: Overview of the testing strategy, including types of tests performed (unit, integration, system, etc.).
  • Test Cases: Detailed descriptions of individual test cases, including input, expected output, and actual results.
  • Test Results: Summary of testing outcomes, including any issues found and their resolution.

6. User Manual

Purpose: To help end users understand how to use the software.

  • Introduction: Overview of the software and its purpose.
  • Installation Instructions: Steps to install the software on a user’s system.
  • User Guide: Detailed instructions on how to use the software’s features.
  • Troubleshooting: Common issues and how to resolve them.

7. Developer Guide

Purpose: To help future developers understand and maintain the software.

  • Setup Instructions: How to set up the development environment.
  • Code Walkthrough: Explanation of key parts of the codebase.
  • Contribution Guidelines: How to contribute to the project, including coding standards and commit message conventions.

8. License and Legal Information

Purpose: To provide legal and licensing information.

  • License File: The software license under which the project is distributed (e.g., MIT, Apache-2.0).
  • Third-Party Licenses: Licenses for any third-party libraries or components used.

9. Maintenance and Support Document

Purpose: To outline how the software will be maintained and supported.

  • Maintenance Plan: Schedule for updates and maintenance activities.
  • Support Contact Information: How users can get help and support.

10. Software Bill of Materials

Purpose: To list all components used in the software.

  • Component List: Detailed inventory of all software components, including versions, sources, and licenses.

By creating and organizing these documents, you’ll ensure that your software package is well-documented, making it easier for your sponsor to understand, use, and maintain the software.