Design Document Template (MS Office)

Use this Design Document template to describe how you intend to design a software product and provide a reference document that outlines all parts of the software and how they will work.

Design Document Template: Table of Contents

1.  Executive Summary

1.1 Purpose of this document
1.2 Identification
1.3 Scope
1.4 Relationship to Other Plans
1.5 Methodology, Tools, and Techniques
1.6 Policies, Directives and Procedures

2. Design Overview

2.1 Background Information
2.2 System Evolution Description
2.3 Current Process
2.4 Proposed Process
2.5 Technology Forecast
2.6 Constraints
2.7 Design Trade-offs
2.8 User Characteristics
2.8.1 User Problem Statement
2.8.2 User Objectives

3. System Architecture

3.1 Hardware Architecture
3.2 Software Architecture
3.3 Communications Architecture

4. Data Design

4.1 Database Management System Files
4.2 Non-Database Management System Files

5. Detailed Design

5.1 Hardware Detailed Design
5.2 Software Detailed Design
5.2.1 Module [X] 5.2.1.1 Processing
5.2.1.2 Local data structures
5.2.2 Module [X] 5.3 Communications Detailed Design

6. External Interface Design

6.1 Interface Architecture
6.2 Interface Detailed Design

7. Human-Machine Interface

7.1 Interface Design Rules
7.2 Inputs
7.3 Outputs
7.4 Navigation Hierarchy
7.4.1 Screen [x.1] 7.4.2 Screen [x.2] 7.4.3 Screen [x.3]

8. System Integrity Controls

9. Appendix A

9.1 Requirements Traceability Matrix
9. Glossary of Terms

Free Requirements Traceability Matrix template

Requirements Traceability Matrix

Free Data Dictionary Template

Data Dictionary instructions

Data Dictionary – Sample Entity

Product Specs

The templates are in Microsoft Word format (.docx).

The template pack includes the following documents:

• 2 x Design Document Templates 22 pages
• 1 x Requirements Traceability Matrix 6 pages
• 1 x Data Dictionary Template 8 pages