You can use this Design Document template to describe how you intend to design a software product and provide a reference document that outlines all parts of the software and how they will work. This document gives the software development team an overall guidance of the architecture of the software project.
Use this template to:
- Describe structures that reside within the software, including attributes and relationships between data objects.
- Map information flow characteristics into the program structure.
- Describe internal and external program interfaces as well as the design of human interface.
This template helps you capture the System Architecture, Data Design, Detailed Design, Hardware Detailed Design, Software Detailed Design, External Interface Design, and Human-Machine Interface.
Design Document Template: MS Word Blue Theme
Design Document Template: MS Word Red Theme
In large software development projects, the Design Document helps coordinate a large team under a single vision when developing applications. Here are some sample screenshots of the MS Word templates.
Document History
Chapter 1, Executive Summary
Chapter 2, Design Overview
Chapter 3, System Architecture
Chapter 4, Data Design
Chapter 5, Detailed Design
Chapter 5.2, Software Detailed Design
Chapter 6, External Interface Design
Chapter 7, Human Machine Interface
Chapter 8, System Integrity Controls
Design Document Template: Table of Contents
1. Executive Summary
1.1 Purpose of this document
1.2 Identification
1.3 Scope
1.4 Relationship to Other Plans
1.5 Methodology, Tools, and Techniques
1.6 Policies, Directives and Procedures
2 Design Overview
2.1 Background Information
2.2 System Evolution Description
2.3 Current Process
2.4 Proposed Process
2.5 Technology Forecast
2.6 Constraints
2.7 Design Trade-offs
2.8 User Characteristics
2.8.1 User Problem Statement
2.8.2 User Objectives
3 System Architecture
3.1 Hardware Architecture
3.2 Software Architecture
3.3 Communications Architecture
4 Data Design
4.1 Database Management System Files
4.2 Non-Database Management System Files
5 Detailed Design
5.1 Hardware Detailed Design
5.2 Software Detailed Design
5.2.1 Module [X]
5.2.1.1 Processing
5.2.1.2 Local data structures
5.2.2 Module [X]
5.3 Communications Detailed Design
6 External Interface Design
6.1 Interface Architecture
6.2 Interface Detailed Design
7 Human-Machine Interface
7.1 Interface Design Rules
7.2 Inputs
7.3 Outputs
7.4 Navigation Hierarchy
7.4.1 Screen [x.1]
7.4.2 Screen [x.2]
7.4.3 Screen [x.3]
8 System Integrity Controls
9 Appendix A
9.1 Requirements Traceability Matrix
9. Glossary of Terms
Free Requirements Traceability Matrix template
Requirements Traceability Matrix
Free Data Dictionary Template
Data Dictionary instructions
Data Dictionary – Sample Entity
Design Document Template: Contents & Format
The templates are in Microsoft Word format
(.doc) and can be downloaded online for only $9.99. The template pack includes the following documents:
| 2 x Design Document Templates | 22 pages |  |
| Requirements Traceability Matrix | 6 pages | |
| Data Dictionary Template | 8 pages | |