7.1.2. Purpose

● To define business goals and scope ● To get executive/stakeholder buy-in and sign-off ● To initiate the project and establish a shared understanding

The purpose of the Business Requirements Document (BRD) is multifaceted. First, it defines the business goals and scope, meaning it indicates what the project aims to achieve and the boundaries within which it operates. Second, the BRD is crucial for gaining support and approval from executives and stakeholders. They need to understand and agree on what the project entails before it can move forward. Lastly, the BRD helps to kick off the project by creating a shared understanding among all participants, ensuring everyone is on the same page regarding the objectives and expectations.

Imagine planning a team vacation. The BRD would be like the initial itinerary that outlines where you want to go (business goals), the budget (scope), and gets the agreement from all team members (buy-in). Without this document, confusion might arise about the destination or costs involved, leading to disagreements and lack of enthusiasm.

● Executive Summary / Introduction ● Business Objectives ● Project Scope (In-scope and Out-of-scope) ● Stakeholder List ● High-Level Business Requirements ● Assumptions and Constraints ● Success Criteria

The BRD consists of several key components that work together to ensure clarity and comprehensiveness. The Executive Summary provides an overview of the document, while the Business Objectives section outlines what the organization wishes to accomplish. The Project Scope defines what is included and what is not. It's important to have a clear Stakeholder List to identify who is involved and impacted. The High-Level Business Requirements give specific details about what needs to be achieved. Assumptions and Constraints clarify what is taken for granted and any limitations faced by the project. Lastly, the Success Criteria establish how the project's success will be measured.

Using the vacation analogy, the Executive Summary would be a brief overview of the proposed trip. The Business Objectives might include having fun and experiencing local culture. Project Scope would describe what activities are planned, while the Stakeholder List includes everyone going on the trip. High-Level Business Requirements could specify booking accommodations and flights, while Assumptions might state that everyone can take time off work, and Constraints could be that the budget is limited. Success Criteria might include enjoying the trip without any major issues.

Example Business Requirement: “The system shall allow customers to view previous transactions for up to 12 months.”

An example of a business requirement clarifies what needs to be in place from a functional perspective. It is specific and measurable, indicating that customers should have access to their transaction history for a defined period. This requirement helps the developers understand exactly what feature is expected and sets a clear expectation for stakeholders about what the end system will provide.

Think of this like a bank app where customers can look at their recent purchases. Just as the bank specifies, 'you can see all your transactions for the last year,' the business requirement clearly communicates to the development team what needs to be built. This ensures users can feel confident about tracking their finances.

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