Choosing the right document for a scenario

Selecting between a product requirements document (PRD) and a specification depends on the project’s scope, audience, and stage. A PRD is most useful when defining a new product or feature, setting its goals, and ensuring stakeholder alignment. It focuses on vision and outcomes, making it ideal for early planning or concept validation. For example, when deciding what a new mobile app should achieve for users, a PRD helps establish goals before design or coding begins.

A specification becomes essential when the team moves into development and needs concrete implementation details. It clarifies technical architecture, performance targets, and quality standards. Complex projects with multiple integrations or dependencies always need a specification to maintain accuracy and consistency. Choosing the correct document ensures efficient collaboration: the PRD defines intent, while the specification guarantees execution fidelity.