When I say “football,” what comes to your mind? If you live in the US, you are likely thinking of American football. If you live in Australia, you are likely thinking of Australian football. But for most of the world, the term football refers to association football which is also known as soccer.

Now imagine the software team in the US working with the hardware team in India and they agree to play football. How would that game turn out if they did not specify which type of football game?

Now imagine the software team in the US working with the hardware team in India agreeing to make an embedded product. If the teams are not precise and detailed on the device’s purpose, intent, and application, including the definitions of terms, the resulting hardware could be underpowered or overkill for the target software.

• Best Practice: Specify in clear and precise details the hardware and software requirements of the embedded product. Have it reviewed by both the hardware and software teams.

Until my next clear and precise newsletter…