A design document is a written specification that describes a proposed software design, its rationale, and relevant implementation considerations.
A design document is a practical checkpoint against overbuilding. After an implementation became unnecessarily complex and its library was deprecated, the design was captured in the repository so others could review it before development and revisit how the system was built. section 11.3
Use a design document to:
Discuss a proposed design with the team before writing the implementation. section 11.3
Keep the chosen approach available in the repository for later implementation reference. section 11.3
A repository design checkpoint
Before building a complex feature, place its design document in a repository folder. Invite review, challenge whether the design solves the customer’s actual need, and use the accepted document as a reference during implementation. section 11.3
How Shipping Go: Develop, deliver, discuss, design, and go again covers it
How deep it goes
Explains purpose, placement, and timing but stops short of prescribing a document template or detailed design method.
Examples
Uses an overengineered implementation, a deprecated library, and a repository folder containing reviewable designs.
What you can do after
Evaluate and discuss proposed designs before development, then consult the accepted design while building the system.
How it connects
Connects design documents with RFCs, planning, team discussion, customer needs, and implementation.
architecture decision recordcontrasts with · An architecture decision record is a document that captures an architectural decision, its context, rationale, and consequences.
change requestincludes · A change request is a proposal for modifying a system, service, process, or design, submitted for review and discussion.
repositorypart of · A software repository is an organized storage location or collection of project files and related artifacts, often managed with version history and change tracking.
interfacehas part · A software interface is a contract or boundary that specifies the operations, properties, or capabilities through which types or components interact, without requiring a particular implementation.
This explainer was generated by Manning's knowledge graph from the text of Shipping Go: Develop, deliver, discuss, design, and go again. The section links point to the parts of the book it draws on.
