Starting your Music Tech Project: Creating a Developer-Friendly Specification Document

Let's be honest: the music industry is ripe for disruption. You, the creative trailblazer with a fantastic music tech idea, have the potential to innovate and build something unique.

However, the first big hurdle is translating that idea into something others, especially software developers, understand.

This chapter is about conquering that first hurdle: crafting a bulletproof specification document. Think of it as the bridge between your brilliant idea and the developers who can make it sing.

So, why is a spec document so crucial?

Imagine a developer who reads your mind. A good spec is that. It outlines your vision, saving everyone time and (major) headaches.
Streamlines development. A detailed spec means developers can hit the ground running, building your idea faster and smoother.
Future-proofing your idea. Your idea might evolve, but a strong spec ensures your project stays on track and adapts to your vision.
Save time and money. Ultimately, having a spec document summarising your idea, aligning your team around the vision, and outlining exactly how the project needs to function removes ambiguity, resulting in quicker time to market and less scope creep.

We'll explain the process step-by-step and provide actionable tips and resources to help you make your music tech dream a reality.

Getting Started

The best way to view the specification document is a living, breathing extension of your idea.

Therefore, the specification document, at a minimum, needs to address the following;

The Core Problem You're Solving: What specific pain point or challenge does your music tech project address? Be clear about the target audience's frustrations and how your solution will make their lives easier or more successful.
Comparable Projects: A list of similar projects or businesses in a similar space will be invaluable for building a mental image of what you are trying to achieve. Most importantly, it should detail how you differ from those comparable projects - how does your unique selling point (USP) compare?
Your Proposed Solution: This is where you outline your project's features and functionalities.
Target Users: Who are you building this project for? Define your ideal user persona, including their demographics, music industry role, and specific needs.
Success Metrics: How will you measure your project's success? A success metric could be user growth, engagement rates, feature adoption, or revenue generated.
Key Links: Include a section with resources to help you build your spec document. The critical links section could link to anything relevant, like a Figma link or branding documents.

Let's take a look at each point in more detail.

The Key Problem You're Solving

Introduce yourself

The introduction to your technical specification is a great space to introduce who you are, your background, and where the original idea of your project came from.

Although it might seem slightly egotistical, people will try to size you up - understand your story and motivations.

Not only is this project specification an outline of your project, but you also want to attract people who relate to you personally and professionally. If you kick off this project, you will spend a considerable amount of time conversing and bouncing ideas off the build you entrust to build the idea. You want someone you can connect to in those moments.

Introduce your project

I'd take inspiration from how the Futzbulter addressed SONAL in their project spec: the problem/solution. It's how we approach all our work. All software has a problem it solves. For example:

Airbnb

Problem: Finding unique places to stay while travelling could be difficult and expensive, especially compared to impersonal hotels.

Solution: Created a platform that allowed people to rent out their homes or spare rooms to travellers, offering a more affordable and authentic experience.

Uber

Problem: Hailing a cab could be inconvenient and time-consuming, especially in busy cities.

Solution: Developed a mobile app that connected riders with drivers through an app, offering a more convenient and transparent way to get around.

Write out your problem/solution statement. Your statement should contain as much information as possible, but it should be a high-level overview. The technical details will come later.

Comparable Projects

Listing comparable projects is more valuable than you may think. It allows any prospective partner or agency to get a firm understanding of the competition. It can immediately highlight where they are lacking and be a source of inspiration.

When building Wavetick, we looked at all competitors and took inspiration from them. From copying the same payment flows from one to explicitly building some functionality to operate in the stark opposites of others (we knew we could do better). Take the best bits from your competitors, and make sure you don't copy the worst bits from them, too!

The list should include a link to all comparable projects, how they differ, what they do well, and what you think they do poorly.

Your Proposed Solution

The proposed solution section is the core of your specification document, outlining the features and functionalities that will bring your music tech idea to life. This section should be detailed yet concise, providing clear and actionable information for the future development team.

MVP vs Kitchen Sink

Firstly, although you might have a grand vision for your project, the more functions, features, bells, and whistles you want to add, the longer and costlier it will become. Therefore, specifying your project using a methodology that guarantees the core requirements are met, with the potential for additional features as enhancements. An MVP (Minimum Viable Product) is the simplest version of your product that allows you to test your idea and gather user feedback.

To give an example of how this looked in practice when we were building Wavetick, we wanted to prove ownership of a 1:1 track or sound, that is, a track or sound that is owned solely by the purchaser. Our client, Sharooz, was initially interested in using non-fungible tokens (NFTs) to hold ownership. After much deliberation and technical investigation, we realised that implementing NFTs could add two months to the project timelines and incur extra costs. The solution was to use a cryptographic signature for each purchase that links to a unique Wavetick URL that shows who bought what track/sound, proving ownership.

Moreover, after users started interacting with the platform, we discovered that the unique ownership feature was less significant to them than initially anticipated. This insight reaffirmed that investing extensive time and resources in developing the NFT functionality would have been a misallocation of efforts and funds. By focusing on a MVP approach, we were able to validate user needs more efficiently and adapt accordingly.

Same functionality, same result, saved two months. Easy.

Building Your Solution

Our recommended way to specify your proposed solution is to group all aspects of your project into functions and features.

Functions vs Features: Understanding the Difference

In project development, it's important to distinguish between functions and features, as they serve different purposes in the project specification and development process.

Functions:

Definition: Functions refer to the high-level capabilities or activities that a project can perform. They represent the core actions the project must be able to execute to fulfil its primary purpose.
Example: In a music-sharing platform, a function might be "Uploading a Track," which encompasses adding a new audio file to the platform.
Role: Functions outline what the project does at a macro level. They are broad and encompass multiple features that work together to achieve a specific outcome.

Features:

Definition: Features are specific elements or components that make up a function. They are the detailed, individual aspects that contribute to the project's overall functionality.
Example: Within the "Uploading a Track" function, features might include "Select File," "Add Track Details (title, artist, album)," "Upload Progress Bar," and "Confirm Upload."
Role: Features provide the detailed, actionable components that enable functions to work. They are the specific implementations that users interact with directly.

Understanding and distinguishing between functions and features makes categorising and prioritising development tasks possible. This approach ensures the project meets its core requirements and provides a roadmap for additional enhancements.

So, with that in mind, let's get back to building your idea.

Functions and Features

Start by detailing all functions of your project into one of three categories:

Core Functions: These are the essential functions the project must perform to serve its primary purpose.
Secondary Functions: These additional functions enhance the core features but are not critical to the project's primary operation. They improve the overall user experience, but the project can still function without them.
Optional Functions: These are nice-to-have functions that can be added with sufficient time and budget. They are not necessary for the project's main functionality but can add extra value and appeal.

With your functions categorised into one of three categories, we can then start to prioritise the features that make up each function:

Must-Have: These features are essential for the project to work. They play a critical role in the project's core functionality and must be included in the initial release.
Should-Have: These features are important and significantly improve the project. While not crucial for the project's essential operation, they add substantial value and should be included after the must-have features are implemented.
Could-Have: These features add value to the project but are optional. They can be considered if extra time and resources are available after implementing the must-have and should-have features.
Won't-Have: These features are out of the scope of the current project but may be considered for future releases. They are not necessary for the initial launch but could benefit future versions.

Detail Each Feature

The next step is to flesh out each feature. It is essential to detail each feature systematically to ensure a clear and comprehensive understanding. Here is how to break down each feature:

Feature Name: Provide a clear, concise name for the feature.
Description: Offer a detailed explanation of what the feature does, including its purpose and functionality.
User Stories: Use user stories to describe the feature from the user's perspective. For example, "As a [user], I want [feature] so that [benefit]."
Acceptance Criteria: Define the conditions that must be met for the feature to be considered complete. These criteria ensure the feature meets the requirements and functions as intended.
Dependencies: Identify any external systems, tools, or integrations required for the feature. This can include third-party services, platforms, or specific technologies that the feature relies on.
Priority: Assign a priority, as outlined above.

Example: Uploading a Track Function

Function: Uploading a Track

Description: This function allows users to upload an audio track to the platform. It involves selecting a file, adding track details, viewing the upload progress, and confirming the upload.

Feature 1: Select File

Feature Name: Select File
Description: This feature allows users to choose an audio file from their device to upload to the platform.
User Stories:
As a user, I want to be able to browse my device and select an audio file so that I can upload my music to the platform.
Acceptance Criteria:
Users can open a file dialog to browse and select an audio file.
The selected file is displayed in the upload interface.
The file type is validated to ensure it is a supported audio format.
Dependencies:
Access to the device's file system.
Compliance with audio format standards.
Integration with any existing media libraries the user might have.
Priority: Must-Have

Feature 2: Add Track Details

Feature Name: Add Track Details
Description: This feature enables users to input metadata for the track, such as the title, artist name, and album name.
User Stories:
As a user, I want to add details about the track, like the title and artist, so that my music is properly labelled on the platform.
Acceptance Criteria:
Users can enter the track title, artist name, and album name in designated fields.
The entered information is saved and associated with the uploaded track.
Dependencies:
Integration with a metadata standard for music tracks.
Priority: Must-Have

Feature 3: Upload Progress Bar

Feature Name: Upload Progress Bar
Description: This feature provides users with a visual representation of the upload progress for their audio file.
User Stories:
As a user, I want to see the progress of my file upload so that I know how long it will take to complete.
Acceptance Criteria:
Display a progress bar that updates in real-time as the file uploads.
Show a completion message or indicator once the upload is finished.
Dependencies:
Support for real-time updates from the upload process.
Priority: Should-Have

Feature 4: Confirm Upload

Feature Name: Confirm Upload
Description: This feature allows users to confirm that their track has been successfully uploaded and added to the platform.
User Stories:
As a user, I want confirmation that my track has been uploaded so that I know it is available on the platform.
Acceptance Criteria:
Display a confirmation message once the upload is complete.
Provide a link to view the uploaded track on the platform.
Dependencies:
Integration with the platform's notification system.
Priority: Must-Have

By detailing each feature in this manner, the development team can ensure they comprehensively understand what needs to be built, how it should function, and the priority of each feature within the overall project.

Defining Target Users for Your MusicTech Tech Project

Understanding who your project is for is essential to its success. This chapter focuses on defining your ideal user personas - detailed representations of the segments of people you aim to serve with your music technology.

By clearly identifying your target users, you can tailor your development process to meet their specific needs and preferences. It will also be crucial during the project design phase, as the primary demographic and functions of the project will naturally influence the layout of the website or app.

Understanding User Demographics

Begin by identifying the basic demographic information of your target users, such as age, gender, location, and educational background. This information will help you understand the broader characteristics of your user base and how these may influence their music technology needs and preferences.

Identifying MusicTech Industry Roles

Next, define the specific roles within the music industry that your project targets. Do you focus on music producers, sound engineers, independent artists, label executives, or fans? Each group will have different challenges and requirements from your technology, and understanding these nuances is critical.

Assessing User Needs and Pain Points

Understanding your target users' specific needs and pain points is crucial. What are the main challenges they face in their music-related activities? How does your project solve these problems? For example, if your project is a new type of music production software, it might help producers streamline the mixing process or make collaboration easier.

Considering Technological Proficiency

Evaluate the technological proficiency of your target users. Some users prefer simple, user-friendly interfaces, while others require advanced features and customisability. Tailoring your project's complexity and usability to match your users' skill levels is vital for adoption and satisfaction.

Examining User Goals and Success Metrics

Consider what success looks like for your target users. How do they measure achievement or progress in their roles? Understanding this can help you align your project's features with the outcomes that your users value most. For instance, if your target users are music producers, they might value features that enhance the audio quality of their projections or that speed up their workflow.

Accessibility Considerations

Discuss how your project will cater to users with disabilities. This involves addressing needs related to visual, auditory, physical, and cognitive impairments. By incorporating accessibility features, you expand your potential user base and ensure compliance with legal standards across various regions. Accessibility is often overlooked in project development but is vital to ensure compliance and inclusion.

Privacy and Security

Detail the strategies you will implement to safeguard user data and maintain privacy. This is especially critical if your project processes sensitive information or user-generated content. Ensuring robust data protection builds trust with your users and adheres to regulatory requirements.

GDPR Compliance: Ensuring your project complies with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is crucial. This regulation governs how you collect, store, and manage personal data of users within the European Union. This can get complicated fast, but any developer worth their salt should have a handle on how to manage GDPR.

Legal and Regulatory Compliance: In addition to data protection, it is imperative to ensure your project complies with all relevant legal and regulatory requirements. This includes understanding the tax implications of your business model, especially if you are operating in multiple countries. Charging the correct amount of tax for different regions is critical to avoid legal complications and potential fines.

For instance, when working on Wavetick project with Sharooz, we had to ensure we were charging the correct tax amounts for different countries. This required a detailed understanding of international tax laws and regulations. Collaborating with legal experts and accountants can help you navigate these complexities and ensure full compliance.

Key Considerations:

User Data Protection: Implement robust encryption and access controls to protect user data.
GDPR Compliance: Ensure all personal data handling practices are in line with GDPR requirements.
Tax Compliance: Understand the tax regulations in the regions where your users are based and ensure you are charging the correct tax amounts.
Legal Consultation: Regularly consult with legal professionals to stay updated on regulatory changes and ensure ongoing compliance.

Success Metrics

To measure the success of your music tech project effectively, you'll need to focus on several key indicators that tell you how well the project is being received and how it's performing in the market:

User Growth: Monitor the increasing number of users adopting your project over time. A steady rise in user numbers indicates growing popularity.
Engagement Rates: Evaluate how frequently and intensely users interact with your project. Key metrics include the duration of each usage session and the frequency of return visits, illuminating user engagement depth.
Feature Adoption: Observe the rate at which users embrace new features. Quick adoption and sustained use of these features suggest they are both beneficial and valued by your audience.
Revenue Generated: Track the revenue your project earns. A successful pricing model attracts users and drives profitability.
Customer Satisfaction and Retention Rates: Assess user satisfaction and their continued use of your project. High satisfaction and retention rates offer insights into the project's long-term appeal and value.
Market Share: Measure the proportion of your project's market relative to competitors. This metric helps gauge your project's industry standing.

Although detailing success metrics is helpful for the developers to gauge what is valuable to you and the stakeholders, it is not the top priority compared to the more important business of getting a development team you can trust.

Key Links

Include a section with valuable resources in your specification document to serve as a central hub for all information and tools necessary for understanding and participating in your project's development:

Moodboard: Add links to websites that you like the look and feel of. This will come in handy in the next chapter.
Project Guidelines: Add links to documents that define the project scope and objectives. This will align everyone with the project's intended goals.
Branding Materials: Provide access to branding guidelines and visual assets. This will ensure consistency in any promotional materials produced and align them with your brand identity.
Comparative Analysis: Include links to information about similar projects or services to contextualise your project and set it apart from others in the market.
Legal Considerations: Provide links to any legal guidelines or regulations specific to the music industry that your project needs to adhere to. These resources are essential for compliance.

Conclusion

As we wrap up this chapter, it's clear that creating a developer-friendly specification document is a preliminary step and a crucial foundation for your music tech project. By detailing your vision, you're setting the stage for translating your innovative idea into a tangible, functional project.

Remember, a well-crafted spec document is more than just a list of features - it's a comprehensive guide that aligns your team, streamlines development, and ensures your project stays on track. It serves as a beacon for developers, enabling them to understand and share your vision and execute it precisely.

We've outlined your spec document's core elements, from defining the problem and solution to detailing comparable projects, proposed features, and target users. Approaching this process methodically will save time, reduce costs, and mitigate the risks of scope creep and miscommunication.

As you progress, remember that your specification document is a living document. It will evolve as your idea matures and new insights emerge. Embrace this evolution, and use your spec document as a dynamic tool that adapts to your project's needs, ensuring it remains relevant and practical throughout the development journey.

In the next chapter, we will explore taking your specification document and start to build wireframes that bring them closer to life.