The second alternative breaks the reader's train of thought when the referenced information is needed. The basic structural issue is how to organize these topics so that relationships and necessary detail can be stated clearly and succinctly. As with most general solutions, DIDs only resolve issues at the highest level of organization. The scope and number of DIDs included in these standards are intended to facilitate the documentation of large programs and projects. For smaller projects, these schemes are burdensome.
Smaller projects tend to use fewer documents to decrease costs and facilitate information control.
Tailoring DIDs is a design activity. Its potential impact on a project's success is significant and should be undertaken with the same importance given to the design of any engineering product. The final design of the SRS must be a structure of sections and subparagraphs that encompass and address the concerns of all project participants and organizational stakeholders. The SRS structure must facilitate everyone's understanding of the totality of required capability, the particular attributes of a capability, and how their areas of responsibility will be affected by the capability. Sections of the documents must be constructed in light of the cohesiveness, coupling, complexity, and consistency necessary to achieve a balance between comprehensibility and completeness.