Context Precision: To Create More Clarity and Relevance, Get More Specific

How can you quickly determine whether a recommendation or technique is relevant to your context?

You can use context precision.   I created the term “Context Precision” to illuminate the idea of getting specific.

Context precision refers to the ability to identify and define the specific context in which a particular concept, idea, or system is used. It is the degree to which a description or explanation is accurate, clear, and relevant to the particular context in question.

In software development, context precision is important for ensuring that the software system is designed and implemented to meet the specific needs and requirements of its intended users and environment.

How To Use Context Precision with Guidance and Advice

You can use context precision to get clarity in the following ways:

• Determine if guidance is too general to be useful.  Whenever you see guidance, you can ask questions about what the context was that it was optimized for.  A lot of times, guidance that you see is generalized.  Sometimes stretch to fit works.  In many cases, it doesn’t.  For example, validating input for Web applications is similar in concept, but very different in implementation when it comes to Web services.
• Determine if guidance is irrelevant.  This is what happens when guidance for one scenario, is over-sold or mis-represented or simply lacking context-precision.
• Determine if guidance is relevant.  This is when you have a match between what something was design and intended for, and what you actually need.

How To Use Context Precision when Modeling Software Solutions

Context precision can help build better models for software and solutions in the following ways:

1. Define the context: Identify the context of the software or solution you are building. This includes factors such as the target audience, the environment in which the software will be used, and the purpose of the software.
2. Identify relevant factors: Once you have defined the context, identify the factors that are relevant to that context. For example, if you are building a software solution for a healthcare facility, relevant factors may include patient data privacy regulations, electronic health record systems, and healthcare workflows.
3. Gather information: Gather as much information as possible about the relevant factors, including industry standards, best practices, and regulations.
4. Use the information to build models: Use the information gathered to build models that reflect the specific context of the software or solution. This can include data models, process models, and architecture models.
5. Validate the models: Once the models are built, validate them against the context to ensure they accurately reflect the specific needs and requirements of the software or solution.

By using context precision, software developers and architects can build more effective and efficient software solutions that meet the specific needs of their target audience and environment.

Categories and Questions to Figure Out Specific Context

Here are some examples of categories and questions that can help determine the context for a software project:

1. Business goals: What are the primary objectives of the project? What problem is it trying to solve? How will success be measured?
2. User needs: Who will be using the software? What are their needs and expectations? What are their pain points?
3. Technical requirements: What are the system requirements and constraints? What technologies will be used? What is the level of complexity?
4. Organizational context: What is the organizational structure? What are the roles and responsibilities of team members? What is the development methodology?
5. Deployment scenario: How will the software be deployed? Is it for internal use or external use? What is the expected user load? What are the security and compliance requirements?
6. Industry and regulatory compliance: Are there specific industry standards or regulations that need to be followed? What are the data privacy and security requirements?
7. Competitive landscape: What are the key competitors and their strengths and weaknesses? What is the unique value proposition of the software?

These categories and questions can help provide a more precise understanding of the context for a software project, which in turn can lead to better decision-making and more successful outcomes.

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