This section gives definitions of all terms, including acronyms, used in
the project.
Content
A dictionary containing the meaning of all the names used
within the requirements specification. Select names carefully to avoid
giving a different, unintended meaning.
This dictionary should build on the standard names that your organization,
or industry, uses. The names should also reflect the terminology in current use
within the work area.
The dictionary contains all important names that are used by the project.
For each name write a succinct definition. This definition must be agreed by
the appropriate stakeholders.
Motivation
Names are very important. They invoke meanings that, if carefully defined,
can save hours of explanations. Attention to names at this stage of the project
helps to highlight misunderstandings.
The dictionary produced during requirements is used and added to throughout
the project.
Examples
Gritter Truck -- a truck used for spreading
de-icing substances on roads in winter.
Considerations
Make use of existing references and data dictionaries. Obviously it is best
to avoid renaming existing items unless they are so ambiguous that they cause
confusion.
From the start of the project emphasise the need
to avoid homonyms and synonyms and explain how they increase the cost of the
project.
Later on, as the analysis progresses, this description will be expanded to
define all the elementary terms that describe a gritter
truck.
Gritter Truck = Truck Registration Number, Truck
Capacity,
Truck Service Status
As we progress through the requirements specification each of the elementary
terms will be defined in detail
Truck Capacity - the number of tonnes
of grit that can be carried by a truck. From 0.5 to 2 tonnes