So I just read some fabulous articles by Joel on specs here. (Was written in 2000!!) I read all 4 parts, but Im looking for some methodical approaches to writing my specs.

Im the only lonely dev, working on this fairly complicated app (or family of apps) for a very well known finance company.

I've never made something this serious, I started out writing something like a bad spec, an overview of some sorts, and it has wasted a LOT of my time.

Ive also made 3 mockup-kinda-thingies for my client so I have a good understanding of what they want. Also released a preview (a throw away working app with the most basic workflow), and Ive only written and tested some of the very core/base systems.

I think the mistake Ive been making so far is not writing a detailed spec, so Im getting to it now.

So the whole thing comprises of

• An MVC website (for admins & data viewing)
• 2 Silverlight modules (For 2 specific tasks)
• 1 Desktop Application

Im totally short on time, resources and need to get this done quick, also, need to make sure these guys read it up equally quick and painlessly.

• So how do I go about it, Im looking for any tips, any real world stuff, how do you guys usually do it?
• Do you make a mock screenie of every dialog/form/page?

Im thinking of making a dummy asp.net web forms project, then filling in html files in folders and making it look like my mvc url structure.

Then having a section in the spec for the website and write up a page for every URL Ive got with a screenie.

For my win forms app, Ive made somewhat of a demo Win Form project, would I then put in a dialog or stucture everything as I would in the real app and then screen shot it?