Let me pose a different rendering of this, that I believe is still
compatible with what Pradeep wrote.
A model is an imperfect representation of a thing. A specification (if
I'm understanding things rightly) is a model of an intention *at an
instant*. The model (the spec) is static (doesn't change). Now I
suggest thinking of an intention as a (static) thing too. It doesn't
change. Instead, the agent of the intention swaps one intention for
another, giving an appearance of changing intentions. That is, I'm
suggesting moving the dynamic aspect of intention-changing from the
intention itself to the agent.
This results in a certain similarity between intention and
specification; they're both static and change only as a result of some
agent performing some activity. The difference between them is that one
(intention) is 'internal' whereas the other (specification) is external.
The external thing can be reasoned about, studied, etc. The internal
one not so much (yet).
What I've described here is itself a model, and therefore imperfect.
But it does (to me at least) have the merit of applying uniformly to
both intention and specification. And (to me at least) the broader the
applicability of a model, the "better" it is.
How's that sound?
Cheers.
Fil
Pradeep G Yammiyavar wrote:
> Klaus and Jan are right. Intentions can change ; specifications cannot on
> their own will. Specifications are intentions expressed in a form mutually
> acceptable to the system in which they are being set. I guess the real
> problem is ( and Klaus has pointed it out several times so has Terry and
> Rosan and others on the list) the limited or un developed Design specific
> vocabulary which can allow a Designer to communicate or convert
> 'Intentions' into 'Specifications'. Specifications are another way of
> 'Planning'. A 'Plan' is another metaphor for 'intentions in action'. How
> can a designer break into this hermunitic circle and yet be able to
> comunicate?
>
> Pradeep Yammiyavar.
--
Prof. Filippo A. Salustri, Ph.D., P.Eng.
Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering
Ryerson University Tel: 416/979-5000 x7749
350 Victoria St. Fax: 416/979-5265
Toronto, ON email: [log in to unmask]
M5B 2K3 Canada http://deed.ryerson.ca/~fil/
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