Documentation framework for computer network design reviews

A documentation framework is proposed to assist quality assurance teams in the analysis of complex computer network designs. The framework includes three elements: (1) a requirements definition, (2) a design depiction, and (3) the identification of potentially problematical interfaces. Requirements definition begins with nominal statements describing general design requirements; these statements undergo a process of qualification and quantification, increasing their effectiveness in conveying the purpose of the design. Design depiction presents the system at a high level of abstraction that can be decomposed into functional layers and isolated components. Interface identification allows problematic interfaces to be discovered through intra-component and inter-component analyses. The use of a consistent framework should improve the quality of the design review process.