How to write a perfect software requirement specification
for an IoT application

Mobile software development is showing a high level of interest in the Internet of Things (IoT). Are there any benefits of using the Internet of Things? IoT can be implemented in a wide range of areas. Smart homes, medical facilities, logistic companies that track their vehicles in real-time, or medical facilities that can diagnose and treat patients automatically based on their anamnesis and surveys can all make use of artificial intelligence (AI).
A smart enterprise system that is based on IoT has a lot of possibilities, but applying the right development process is crucial if you want to reap its benefits. Any development team will need clear hardware and software requirement specifications, whether you choose to hire staff in-house or outsource.
This article will learn you how to develop a flawless SRS document for IoT projects. It will avoid potential pitfalls during their development.
IoT Development Stack and its Requirements
Based on your specific goals and needs, the final solution will have certain features and look/work in a certain way. There are, however, a number of standard elements that make up any IoT application.
There are 5 layers in an IoT development stack and one cross-layer in order to create a complete IoT solution: Device & Software, Communication, Cloud Services, Applications, and Security.
Layers of IoT solutions: Device & Software, Communication, Cloud Services, Applications, and Security.
Define the software requirement specification
To formalize your engineering requirements, you need to define your vision in terms of the 5 aforementioned layers. Consider the following for every component: Is your technology expertise in-house? The technological evolution and the future requirements of our customers are ever-changing; can you keep up?

You can describe all ideas in software requirement specifications (SRS) and translate them into the language of software developers.

When a development team has a clear description of the project's requirements and conditions, they are more likely to develop software that meets those needs perfectly. ​The project scope and estimated budget also will be determined by an SRS that lets to decrease risks and avoid overpricing.

As a rule, an SRS document covers the following items:
  • What the product is intended for and what values it will provide to customers.
  • An overall review of the software.
  • Functionality, compatibility, and specific features of the solution.
  • In a production environment, how well the software system performs desired functions under specific conditions.
  • Non-functional attributes such as security, reliability, reusability, compatibility, scalability, etc.
  • External interface requirements to the software or how user, hardware, software and communication interfaces will interact with each other or users.
  • Depending on the development standards, there may also be design and implementation constraints.
Although the SRD serves as a blueprint for managing the scope of a project, it is ultimately only a list of system requirements that are functional and nonfunctional. Design or technology solutions are not outlined in the document. Developers make those decisions later.
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SDR document for IoT project structure
An SRS document is meant to contain different components outlined in this structure. In this way, it is possible to record requirements in a structured and organized way so that they can be captured in more detail, and the planning can be done more elaborately as well.
Software Development Requirements (SDR) structure
Neat Software Requirements: Benefits and Outputs
In cooperation with all the main participants of the process, a well-written SRS can reduce errors and inaccuracies and save you time.
By preparing a comprehensive document, both the product development team and the client will be able to examine the current state of affairs, define goals and objectives, and define all the details. The SRS is available to all stakeholders, simplifying the design process. In this case, the cost of the redesign is minimized.

Among other things, SRS helps with:
  • Estimating costs and times more accurately
  • Assisting with the transition from development to production of software
  • Making sure that all participants are coordinated without wasting extra time
  • Initiating a higher level of communication between developers, clients, and managers
  • Trying to avoid costly replacements at the last minute
  • Streamlining the development process and reducing duplication
Summary
There are many different tools used for IoT projects that are purely designed to address specific problems in certain situations. Determine what you need from the point of view of the hardware and software, as well as the requirements, ecosystem, size, and format of your project.

In order for a final product to meet the needs of the user, an SRS document should be used as a roadmap along the way. In the absence of a complete SRS document, before the start of a project, it will be difficult to know when a project will be finished, which could cause development to diverge into unintended features. You can estimate project costs precisely and allocate tasks efficiently using SRS documents for IoT projects.

To get assistance with mapping requirements for each component of the solution, please contact us. Besides handling your project’s software requirement specifications, we will also recommend the most suitable IoT solutions for your business needs.
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