stpsoft Storyboarding^TM

Visually define and validate user requirements with Microsoft Visio® and generate storyboards, specifications and test scripts

stpsoft Storyboarding (formerly stpBA Storyboarding) is a Microsoft Visio® based requirements definition tool to visually elaborate and validate requirements with business users through GUI and workflow storyboarding. The tool can be used standalone or integrated with stpsoft ReqSheet, Borland CaliberRM® or IBM Rational RequisitePro®. Storyboards help end users at an early stage to visualise how an application will meet their requirements, thereby revealing key issues and gaps that would otherwise have been missed.

stpsoft Storyboarding generates screen flow diagrams, functional specifications and test scripts, freeing the analyst to focus on how the proposed application should satisfy the user and business requirements. Any changes to the storyboard are synchronised with the documentation, significantly reducing the duration of the specification phase, as well as increasing the accuracy and quality of the documentation.

Separate editions that integrate with Microsoft Visual Studio® Team System and Telelogic DOORS® are also available.

Project Manager, Deutsche Bank "A very useful tool for software specification and design that lets our BA's provide unambiguous, visually orientated documentation to both project sponsors and IT developers."

Benefits

According to an industry study, user interface prototyping combined with JAD (joint application development) can keep requirements creep below 5% compared to an industry average of 25% (Jones, Capers. 1994. Assessment and Control of Software Risks).

• Early identification of issues and gaps helps to minimise rework.
• Standardisation improves quality with fewer errors and omissions.
• Document automation saves hundreds of man hours.
• User friendly documentation and storyboards help to bridge the gap between users and developers.

Pricing Information

•  The product is licensed per user per machine.
•  All prices exclude taxes and any imports/customs duties.
•  The license fee includes 12 months of email support and software updates.
•  Maintenance can be renewed annually per license.

Storyboarding	US Dollars	Euros	GBP
1 User License	$ 495	420 EUR	£ 290
5 User License Pack	$ 2,300	1,950 EUR	£ 1,350
10 User License Pack	$ 4,250	3,600 EUR	£ 2,500
Renewal per License	$ 175	145 EUR	£ 99

Key Features

Intuitive and User Friendly

Requirements Capture

GUI and Workflow Storyboarding

Process Flow Charting

Traceability to Requirements

Document Automation

Review and Feedback

View Prototypes in a Web Browser

Intuitive and User Friendly

The tool is based on the Microsoft Visio canvas and all outputs are generated in Microsoft Word or Microsoft Excel format. The tool is highly accessible to users of standard Microsoft Office products and does not require any formal training. Storyboards can be managed and shared using your current document repository, such as Microsoft Visual SourceSafe, IBM Rational ClearCase or a shared network folder.

Requirements Capture

User requirements can be captured and organised using the hierarchical task list. Alternatively, requirements can be imported from stpsoft ReqSheet, Borland CaliberRM or IBM Rational RequisitePro.

GUI and Workflow Storyboarding

User friendly GUI storyboarding for new applications or changes to existing applications and packaged software. GUI storyboards can be built for most types of application including Windows, Web browser, PocketPC and SmartPhone. Detail such as field attributes, rules and permissions can be captured. Changes to storyboards can be made 'on the spot' with customers resulting in instant customer feedback. Storyboards have a version number and can be baselined.

Process Flow Charting

User friendly process flow modelling of system processes integrated within the storyboard. Complex processes can be modelled in multi-level flow charts, with each flow chart level providing a decomposition of a process step in the level above.

Traceability to Requirements

Requirements can be entered in the hierarchical task list, or the tool can be used in conjunction with stpsoft ReqSheet, Borland CaliberRM or IBM Rational RequisitePro. Functionality in the GUI storyboard can be linked to requirements. A traceability matrix can be generated to check for completeness, assess the impact of change and minimise scope creep.

Document Automation

Functional specifications and test scripts can be automated. The automated functional specification is in a format that is easily understood by users, enabling them to provide good quality feedback. The documentation describes each screen and process in sufficient detail for developers to design the software. The documentation is especially ideal for outsourcing the development to an external company. The test scripts detail each component test that must be performed to establish whether the functionality within the software meets the user requirements.

Review and Feedback

Review notes can be attached to the storyboard and potential changes can be highlighted as candidates for a change request. Change request documentation can be automated in spreadsheet format.

View Storyboards in a Web Browser

Using a standard web browser the user can validate the requirements by navigating through each screen and process flow in the GUI storyboard. The GUI Storyboard also provides developers with a blueprint of exactly what the user wants.

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