SD-15 Guide For Performance SpecificationsThis document provides guidance information on performance specifications focusing primarily on stating requirements in performance terms and ensuring that sufficient verification means are included in the specification to evaluate conformance. While the focus of this document is on defense specifications developed under DoD 4120.24-M, Defense Standardization Program DSP Policies and Procedures, the principles and techniques can also be applied to program unique performance specifications, performance-based purchase descriptions, commercial item descriptions, or any other type of procurement specification. This guide is intended to supplement the format and content requirements for writing performance specifications found in MIL-STD-961, Defense and Program-Unique Specifications Format and Content.

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Performance Specification Guide SD-15

Specification Requirements	Performance Specification	Detail Specification
4. Qualification	Very similar for both performance and detail. Because many performance specifications cover products with rapidly changing technologies, most performance specifications have a qualification provision.	Very similar for both performance and detail.
Section 5 - Packaging	Packaging information is usually contained in contracts, thus virtually no difference between performance and detail specifications. All detailed packaging requirements should be eliminated from both performance and detailed specifications and the boilerplate packaging paragraph specified in MIL-STD-961 should be used.
Section 6 - Notes	The Notes section can be similar for both, but this is a good section in a performance specification to provide lessons learned or guidance on approaches or solutions that have worked in the past to meet a performance requirement.