Vision
This document should not to exceed 8 pages, but will probably be more than 4. The document should be concise and formal. There are other artifacts that outline many of the specifics that one might feel inclined to mention in a Vision Document, but this should avoided. Avoid adding more than a summary or quick mention of a few of the most important items that overlap with areas from other artifacts, an only if they fit well in the Vision Document. Keep opinion and overtly personal touches out of the formal documentation except where explicitly required.
As a general rule, avoid unneeded documentation. There are paragraph/line requirements below; do not add fluff for the sake of fluff. If there is not enough real information, it is better to leave a section out than to fill it with triviality. Before leaving a section blank 1) think harder because you are probably missing something or are being a bit lazy 2) be able to explain clearly and concisely why said sections are not there or are smaller than expected. Sections should not be larger than the provided paragraph/line restrictions. Any excess should be cleaned up or trimmed and linked to another appropriate artifact. The Vision Document should never be the only document, but it should be the first thing external people read when they just want to get an idea of the project; it should cover the bases, but not be an onerous read.
Note that a paragraph means 5-8 sentences. If a paragraph has fewer sentences, it may be a sign to cut up run-on sentences or make sure the paragraph is actually saying something worthwhile.
We use this Vision Document Template as a starting point.
References
- http://www.processimpact.com/process_assets/vision_and_scope.doc (May 17, 2010)
- http://www.startupcto.com/templates/software-vision-document-template (May 17, 2010)
- proTask soen390 final deliverables Vision Document (Winter 2005)
- [http://beanstore.encs.concordia.ca/docrib/trac/browser/docs/artifacts/VisionDocument.odt?rev=137 Docrib Vision Document] (May 17, 2010)
- [http://beanstore.encs.concordia.ca/seadog/trac/browser/trunk/documentation/vision.odt?rev=4 Seadog Vision Document] (May 17, 2010)
- The original document that this is derived from (written by Stuart Thiel) (Jan. 7, 2011).