Introduction

A problem specification according to the FOREST approach describes a specific system that should be developed. The intention of a problem specification is to bridge the gap between the customer on the one hand and the developer on the other hand. Generally, several discussions between customer and developer are necessary to yield a common perception of the desired system. This common perception is documented in a problem specification.

Finally, a problem specification contains a description of the system as it is, e.g. the already existing installation or physical laws, as well as a description of the system as it should be, e.g. that the temperature in a room has to be always greater than 5 $^\circ$C.

A problem specification according to the FOREST approach is not written in a way that it can be read as a whole from the beginning to the end; rather it is written in the style of a reference book. To be able to find specific parts more easily and more quickly a problem specification is structured and accompanied with some navigation support. The structure of a problem specification is illustrated in Section 2. The navigation support is explained in Section 3.