Starting from an analysis of the situation of a software
developer using pre-fabricated components, it is investigated in
which form techniques and formalisms from the area of formal
specification can provide practical aid in development. Several
different dimensions of precise component specification are
identified. While formal specifications can be helpful for
several of these dimensions, it is argued that the most relevant
application area may be a flexible mechanism for creating
different but consistent views on a complex system. Ideas for
concrete tool support based on the Object Constraint Language
(OCL) are sketched.