I’ve been in your shoes. As a software developer, architect, and part-time product manager, I’ve written numerous feature specifications. Some were great, others… well, let’s say they needed work. 🚧

Let me guide you through the process of specifying software features that deliver value. Think of a feature as the concrete thing you build that makes your software useful. It’s not just a capability or use case - it’s the actual implementation that users interact with.

Would you like to understand how these pieces fit together? Check out my post on the differences between these concepts.

What Makes a Good Feature?

Here are the key characteristics of a well-defined feature:

  1. It Solves Real Problems - Users need it.
  2. It’s Buildable - Your team can create it.
  3. It’s User-Friendly - People can figure it out.
  4. It’s Testable - You can prove it works.

How to Specify Features: Step-by-Step Guide

1. Start with User

I begin by asking three questions:

  • What problem are we solving?
  • Why is this valuable?
  • Who will use this feature?

2. Use My Feature Template

Here’s a template that can help you define features:

Name: [Clear, user-focused name]
Description: [What this feature does for users]
User Value: [Why users want this]
Technical Requirements:
  - [Required capabilities]
  - [Performance needs]
  - [Security requirements]
Acceptance Criteria:
  - [How we know it works]
  - [Edge cases to handle]

3. Validate and Refine

Before you’re done, make sure to:

  • Check if it’s clear
  • Verify it’s doable
  • Make sure it’s testable.

Real-World Example: Project Management System

Here’s a real-world example of a feature:

Name: Project Template Gallery
Description: Pre-built project templates that users can select when creating new projects
User Value: Saves time by providing proven project structures
Technical Requirements:
  - Project Creation capability
  - Template storage and retrieval
  - Template versioning
Acceptance Criteria:
  - Users can browse available templates
  - Templates can be previewed
  - Selected template populates project fields
  - Templates can be customized after selection

Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

Here are the mistakes I’ve made (so you don’t have to):

  1. Mixing Up Features with Capabilities

    • A capability is what the system is capable of doing.
    • A feature is defined by its implementation.
    • Want to learn more? Check out my guide on defining software capabilities.

  2. Getting Too Technical

    • Focus on what users get, not how it works.
    • Use plain language
    • Please keep it simple.

  3. Forgetting the User

    • Why do they need this?
    • How will they use it?
    • What problem does it solve?

Best Practices I’ve Learned

  1. Put Users First

    • What problem are we solving?
    • Why is this valuable?
    • Focus on outcomes

  2. Keep It Focused

    • One feature = one clear value
    • Break prominent features into smaller ones.
    • Draw clear boundaries

  3. Get User Feedback

    • Does this solve their problem?
    • Is it easy to understand?
    • Get feedback early

Advanced Tips

Want to take your feature specifications to the next level? Here are some tips:

  1. Map Your Features

    • Create a feature map.
    • Show how features connect.
    • Spot gaps and overlaps

  2. Prioritize Smartly

    • Rank by user value
    • Consider the level of effort.
    • Balance user needs

  3. Test Thoroughly

    • Define test scenarios
    • Verify user flows
    • Validate outcomes

Conclusion

Writing good feature specifications is an art form; therefore, don’t expect your first draft to be perfect. As long as you focus on what users need and communicate it clearly, you’re on the right track.

For more on related concepts, check out my posts on: