What is a technical specification?
A Technical specification (TS) is a structured document that describes exactly what will be built during your project. We write it ourselves in simple, non-technical language, so it’s easy to understand for everyone - not just developers. It’s the blueprint for the system, defining how it will look, what features it will include, and how everything is organized.
This document serves both as a planning guide and a mutual agreement - helping to prevent scope misunderstandings, technical surprises, or budget overruns.
Why both sides need it
- For you (the Buyer): The TS gives full clarity - what’s included, how it works, what the project will cost, and when each part will be ready.
- For us (the Developers): It gives us a fixed and approved scope to work from, reducing risks and ensuring predictable delivery.
- For both: It creates alignment, avoids vague assumptions, and provides a permanent reference point throughout the project.
How much does it cost?
The Technical Specification is a paid service that costs on average 5% of your estimated project budget, with a minimum fee of €500. This fee is added on top of the total project cost and is paid separately from development.
Example:
If your forecasted project budget is €20,000 – the Technical Specification costs €1,000 (5%).
The total investment becomes €21,000: €20,000 for development + €1,000 for the Technical Specification.
If 5% of a smaller project is below €500, the TS fee is €500.
How we write the technical specification
We handle the full process and guide you through it with easy questions, examples, and recommendations. Here’s what we typically do:
- Gather information through a short discovery session (or document)
- Analyze your goals, user types, content, and any references you provide
- Write everything in plain language, not developer jargon
- Create a clear feature list and system structure
- Draw layout wireframes to visually explain what each page or section does
- List out user roles and permissions in a way that makes sense
- Plan how the project will be split into milestones
- Suggest technologies or platforms based on your goals (not trends)
- Include examples and screenshots where helpful
You don’t need to prepare anything technical. Just tell us what you want to achieve, and we’ll turn it into a solid plan.
Topics covered in the TS
Here’s a breakdown of what the document includes:
1. Project overview
What we’re building, why, and for whom
2. System structure
Tech stack suggestions, hosting notes, and localization needs
3. Feature set
All functions grouped by section: what each part does and who can use it
4. User roles
Admins, managers, visitors, etc. - what each one can access and manage
5. Sitemap and interface list
Pages, sections, and how users will navigate between them
6. Wireframes or layout notes
Simple sketches to show what key pages and blocks might look like
7. Milestone plan
Project divided into phases, each with its own timeline, scope, and quota
8. Integrations
External services, APIs, payment gateways, or plugins that will be connected
9. Out-of-scope areas
Clarifies what’s not included unless specifically agreed (e.g., SEO, content writing)
10. Post-launch
Notes on delivery, warranty, and optional support coverage
Wrapping up
The Technical specification is the first and most important step of any successful project. It protects both sides, builds trust, and sets a strong foundation for development, testing, and delivery.
It’s a smart investment that pays off by eliminating confusion and saving time later.