In The Trenches
can educate the user about what
to expect from your product.
Remember, unfulfilled expectations
are probably the biggest source of
customer dissatisfaction.
Put yourself in the your cus-tomer's place when you write the
specifications. What would like to
see? What's important to you? At the
minimum, the spec sheet should
include what your product needs to
work (the voltage, frequency, and
power), what the product produces
(output power, distortion, etc.),
proper operating conditions (loads,
environment), operating limits
(frequency range, bandwidth, power
output, etc.), and the physical characteristics (dimensions and weight).
Always include notes about other
equipment needed for operation (AC
adapter, blank disks, computer
requirements, etc.).
Next, you can provide the softer
specifications. Sometimes, these
are called "typical" specifications
and are more like guidelines rather
than guaranteed performance. An
example is the highest frequency
that an AC voltmeter can reliably
measure. These may not be
absolutely necessary for the
customary use of your product, but
they are informative and useful
to know.
Don't overspecify your product.
You don't want to create problems.
Say things like "high brightness LED
display," instead of "2,000 MCD LED
display."
In the future, it may be that
3,000 MCD displays are the same
price or that cheaper 1,000 MCD
displays are necessary for cost.
Think carefully because the spec
sheet may outlast your involvement
in the product.
There is nothing inherently
unethical or improper about omitting
a bad specification. (It is unethical
and improper to include a false
specification.)
For example, if the frequency
response of your voltmeter only
goes to 100,000 Hz and all your
competitors' go to 250,000 Hz, you
may choose to omit it. You want your
product to sell. You are not forced to
identify every weak point in the
design (except for safety, of course).
Naturally, if it's a major specification,
it will be noticed and it will cause
problems.
Conclusion
Specifications are used in
designing, defining, and comparing
products. There are different types
and definitions of specifications, so
it's useful and important to
understand them. Since your job and
your company's health depend on
specifications, using, creating, and
properly reading them is vital. NV
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Circle #47 on the Reader Service Card.
SEPTEMBER 2004
