Performance Requirements

Performance requirements define acceptable performance characteristics for design system components. Clear performance requirements prevent components from degrading application performance while establishing measurable standards for contributors.

What Are Performance Requirements

Performance requirements specify the performance boundaries that design system components must respect. Requirements typically address bundle size, render performance, memory usage, and runtime efficiency. These requirements ensure components remain performant as they scale across applications.

Design system components impact many applications. A component with performance problems affects every product using it. Performance requirements prevent this scaled impact by ensuring components meet standards before reaching consumers.

How Performance Requirements Work

Bundle size requirements limit how much code components add to application bundles. Requirements may specify maximum sizes for individual components or total design system packages. Tree-shaking requirements ensure unused code can be eliminated. Bundle size discipline prevents applications from slowing down due to design system bloat.

Render performance requirements ensure components render efficiently. Requirements may specify maximum time for initial render or re-render cycles. Large lists or complex visualizations may have specific performance criteria. Render performance directly affects user experience with perceivable delays.

Memory requirements prevent components from consuming excessive memory. Requirements are particularly important for components that manage state, cache data, or create many DOM elements. Memory leaks in design system components affect all consuming applications.

Runtime efficiency requirements address ongoing performance, not just initial load. Animation frame rates, event handler efficiency, and CPU usage during interaction may have specific targets. Runtime efficiency ensures components remain responsive during use.

Key Considerations

• Requirements should be measurable and testable
• Performance budgets should account for realistic usage patterns
• Different component types may warrant different requirements
• Performance monitoring should track actual outcomes
• Requirements should evolve as technology and expectations change

Common Questions

How do organizations set appropriate performance budgets?

Performance budgets should balance ideal performance with practical achievability. Budgets should consider user expectations, competitive benchmarks, and technical constraints. Organizations often start with industry guidelines, then adjust based on experience. Budgets that are too tight may be impossible to meet; budgets that are too loose fail to protect performance.

How do performance requirements get enforced?

Enforcement combines automated measurement with review processes. CI/CD pipelines can measure bundle size and flag violations. Performance benchmarks can detect render regressions. Human review ensures performance implications receive appropriate consideration. Blocking mechanisms prevent non-compliant components from merging.

What happens when requirements conflict with functionality?

Sometimes delivering necessary functionality requires exceeding performance budgets. Organizations should have processes for evaluating these tradeoffs. Justified exceptions may be granted with documentation. Alternatives that achieve functionality within budgets should be explored. Chronic exceptions may indicate budgets need adjustment.

Summary

Performance requirements establish acceptable performance boundaries for design system components. Success requires clear, measurable requirements and enforcement through automated testing and review. Organizations should invest in performance requirements that protect application performance while remaining achievable for contributors.