Imagic Investigation Phase Info Checklist   

[ Business Philosophy ] [ Product Development ]

What follows is a brief listing of the type of information we gather and use in our investigation phase. Though this list doesn't comprise everything you need to know, it serves as a beginning. The goal of the investigation phase is to gather this information.

What type of project is this? 

Hardware Design

Embedded / Firmware

Application/ Middleware Software (Non GUI)

GUI Based Applications Software

Device Driver

Test and Measurement System

Hardware Design 

1.      Functional Description

2.      Performance Specification – Accuracy, Speed, Etc

3.      Inputs – Signals / Connectors

4.      Outputs – Signals / Connectors

5.      Specific Hardware / IC Requirements

6.      Size / Packaging

7.      Power – Input, Source, Consumption

8.      Target Cost

9.      Environmental Requirements

10. Agency Approvals / Standards to Conform to

11. Design Restraints / Constrictions

12. Type of Assembly Technology – Through Hole, SMT, Mixed, Other

13. Test / Development Equipment Tools Required

14. Prototype Requirements

15. Testing / Qualification Required

16. Project Management Requirements

17. Documentation Requirements

18. Support Requirements

19. Other

[TOP]

Embedded / Firmware Design 

1.      Functional Description

2.      Performance Specification – Accuracy, Speed, Etc

3.      Does the Hardware exist or does it need to be designed

4.      Platform / uP / uC / DSP to be used

5.      Languages to be used

6.      Tools to be used

7.      Agency Approvals / Standards to Conform to

8.      Protocols

9.      Inputs to system

10. Outputs from system

11. Hardware / System restrictions

12. Configuration Management System

13. Testing / Qualification Required

14. Documentation Requirements

15. Support Requirements

16. Other

[TOP]

Software Application (Without GUI) 

1.      Functional Overview Description

2.      Performance Specification – Accuracy, Speed, Etc

3.      Platform / OS Requirements / Selection

4.      Software Design Strategy / Methodology

5.      Documentation Requirements

6.      Software Development Tool Selection

7.      Inputs to Software, Interface to Other programs?

8.      Outputs from Software, Interface to Other programs?

9.      User Interface Requirements

10. Logic and Sequencing

11. Data Storage Methodology, Database, files, memory maps

12. Agency Approvals / Standards

13. Protocols

14. Testing / Qualification Requirements

15. Configuration Management System

16. Support Requirements

17. Other

[TOP]

Software Application with a GUI 

1.      Functional Overview Description

2.      Performance Specification – Accuracy, Speed, Etc

3.      Platform / OS

4.      Software Design Strategy / Methodology

5.      Documentation Requirements

6.      Software Development Tool Selection

7.      User Interface Visual’s – What Does it Look Like?

8.      User Interface Elements – Frames, Graphics, Buttons, Menu’s..etc.

9.      User Interface Logic - How Do You Navigate in the Program?

10. Inputs to Software? Other programs?

11. Outputs from Software? Other Programs?

12. Data Manipulation / Storage Requirements? Database, File Format

13. Agency Approvals / Standards to Conform to?

14. Protocols?

15. Configuration Management Systems?

16. Testing / Qualification Required?

17. Support Requirements?

18. Others?

[TOP]

Device Driver 

1.      Functional Description

2.      Performance Specification – Accuracy, Speed, Etc

3.      Platform / OS

4.      Software Design Strategy / Methodology

5.      Documentation Requirements

6.      Software Development Tool Selection

7.      Data Manipulation / Data Format Requirements

8.      Inputs to Driver

9.      Outputs from Driver

10. Agency Approvals / Standards to Conform to

11. Protocols

12. Testing / Qualification Required

13. Configuration Management Requirements

14. Documentation Requirements

15. Support Requirements

16. Other

[TOP]

Test and Measurement System 

1.      Functional Description and Test Procedures defined?

2.      Performance Specification – Accuracy, Speed, Etc.?

3.      Test or Control Equipment Vendors to be Used?

4.      Test Computing Platform Vendor Choice?

5.      Test or Control Software Vendor Selection?

6.      Is there custom hardware required?

7.      Is there an embedded design required?

8.      Is there application custom software required?

9.      Is there a device driver necessary for custom hardware or software?

10. Is there a device drivers needed for a Vendor component?

11. External Physical Inputs to System Specification?

12. External Physical Outputs from System Specification?

13. Communications Protocols and External Interface Requirements?

14. System Logic and Sequencing Specifications

15. Enclosure Specifications?

16. User Interface Specifications?

17. Agency Approvals / Standards to Conform to?

18. Configuration Management Requirements?

19. Documentation Requirements

20. Support Requirements

21. Other