ContentsApplication DesignDesign parametersFunctional

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The functional design parameters are those which often get the most attention, because they are the most visible. They are what the user thinks of as the benefits of the application. In order to be of any value to the user, an application must address these parameters perfectly.

In our example, the functional parameters are fairly simple:

• take some input in the form of years and the associated salary values for those years (measured in US dollars)
• find the standard cost-of-living during that period
• display this information as a PDF chart

This leaves a lot of room for interpretation. The parameters don't explain how the input is to be taken, whether the input values should be verified, or where the cost-of-living information will come from. These kinds of deficiencies are typical of those that go into making a prototype.

As weak as these functional design parameters are, they do give us a place to start. In a lot of ways, these initial parameters spell out the priority considerations to make something of value to the end user. The faster you can get something into their hands to do these things, the sooner you will get feedback on how to improve it.

ContentsApplication DesignDesign parametersFunctional

Previous: Design parameters | Next: Operational