A system for improving software specifications and design using a unified document, in one example embodiment, comprises a subsystem to automatically receive a formatted unified document, which can include a plurality of fragments having content formatted and labeled according to predetermined formatting and labeling criteria. The system can further include a subsystem to automatically transform the unified document into a plurality of documents including source code files. The source code files can be immediately executable or executable after being compiled into an executable code. The documents can further include test documents, installation documents, configuration documents, user documents, and edited versions of the unified document. The edited versions of the unified document can be visible by users with appropriate permissions. The formatting of the unified document can comprise assuring that each of multiple parts is formatted according to the appropriate category and selectively labeling each part. The labels can designate descriptions, outlines of data, examples, and assertion statements. The predetermined transformation rules can include transforming the descriptions into data models, transforming the examples into test cases, and transforming the assertion statements into formal assertions of an expression language.