Functional Requirements - 5.3 | Requirement Engineering | Business Analysis
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5.3 - Functional Requirements

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Interactive Audio Lesson

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Defining Functional Requirements

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0:00
Teacher
Teacher

Today, we’ll explore functional requirements. Can anyone tell me what they think functional requirements are?

Student 1
Student 1

Are they the actions a system can perform?

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! Functional requirements specify the actions a system must take. They describe **what the system should do** based on user needs. It's important to remember that they are derived from stakeholder needs.

Student 2
Student 2

Could you give us some examples?

Teacher
Teacher

Sure! For instance, 'The system shall allow users to reset passwords via email' is a functional requirement. It’s clear and describes a specific action.

Student 3
Student 3

How do we know if these requirements are correct?

Teacher
Teacher

Good question! Validating functional requirements is key. We can ensure clarity by aligning them with acceptance criteria.

Teacher
Teacher

To summarize, functional requirements define what the system does, are measurable and arise from stakeholder needs.

Characteristics of Functional Requirements

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Teacher
Teacher

Let's dig deeper into the characteristics of functional requirements. Can anyone remember what makes them unique?

Student 4
Student 4

They are action-oriented and measurable?

Teacher
Teacher

Right! They must specify clear actions. Additionally, they should be system-specific, meaning they focus on what the system can and cannot do.

Student 1
Student 1

Are all requirements equally important?

Teacher
Teacher

They all serve a purpose, but functional requirements are critical because without them, the system's functionality may not meet user expectations.

Student 2
Student 2

What happens if we miss some functional requirements?

Teacher
Teacher

Missing requirements can lead to system failure or user dissatisfaction. Therefore, gathering and documenting them thoroughly is essential.

Teacher
Teacher

So remember, functional requirements need to be action-oriented, specific, and derived from stakeholder needs.

Deliverables Related to Functional Requirements

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Teacher
Teacher

We’ve discussed what functional requirements are. Now, let’s talk about how we document them. What documentation do you think is associated with functional requirements?

Student 3
Student 3

I think there’s something called the Functional Requirements Specification?

Teacher
Teacher

Correct! The Functional Requirements Specification, or FRS, is a comprehensive document containing all functional requirements. What else can you think of?

Student 4
Student 4

User stories and use cases?

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! User stories and use cases transform functional requirements into scenarios that describe how users will interact with the system.

Student 1
Student 1

And what about visual aids?

Teacher
Teacher

Absolutely! Wireframes and flow diagrams help visualize the functionality, making it easier to understand how users will navigate the system.

Teacher
Teacher

In summary, documenting functional requirements can take many forms: FRS, user stories, and visual diagrams are crucial.

The BA's Role in Functional Requirements

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0:00
Teacher
Teacher

Finally, let’s talk about the role of a Business Analyst in defining functional requirements. What do you think their responsibilities are?

Student 1
Student 1

They gather the requirements from stakeholders, right?

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! BAs identify and document stakeholder needs. But that’s just the beginning; they also play a role in ensuring clear communication.

Student 2
Student 2

And validating those requirements?

Teacher
Teacher

Yes, validation is key! BAs ensure requirements can be verified with acceptance criteria.

Student 3
Student 3

And they work with developers to clarify requirements?

Teacher
Teacher

Absolutely! BAs must collaborate with developers to ensure their needs are implemented correctly. It’s a vital role that connects stakeholders and technical teams.

Teacher
Teacher

In conclusion, BAs gather, validate, and clarify functional requirements, ensuring the final product satisfies user needs.

Introduction & Overview

Read a summary of the section's main ideas. Choose from Basic, Medium, or Detailed.

Quick Overview

Functional requirements detail the specific behaviors and functionalities that a system must perform.

Standard

In this section, functional requirements are defined as a key part of requirement engineering, outlining system capabilities and actions, arising directly from stakeholder needs. The importance of documenting and validating these requirements to ensure system alignment with user expectations is emphasized.

Detailed

Functional Requirements

Functional requirements are a crucial aspect of requirement engineering that articulate what a system should do. They specify the system's behavior in terms of functionalities and actions, derived directly from the needs of stakeholders and users.

Key Characteristics

  • System-Specific: Functional requirements focus on specific functionalities of the system.
  • Action-Oriented and Measurable: They detail actions that the system must perform and can be measured to confirm correctness.
  • Derived from Stakeholder Needs: These are shaped by the desires and requirements expressed by stakeholders.

Examples of Functional Requirements

  • The system shall allow users to reset passwords via email.
  • A user can filter products by category, price, and brand.
  • Payment gateway should support credit card and UPI options.

Important Deliverables

Functional requirements should be documented in several formats, including:
- Functional Requirements Specification (FRS)
- User Stories or Use Cases
- Wireframes and Flow Diagrams

Role of Business Analyst (BA)

The BA's role includes translating stakeholder needs into clear features for developers, ensuring these requirements are understood and verifiable through acceptance criteria.

By defining functional requirements explicitly, BAs help in the successful implementation of systems that meet user expectations.

Audio Book

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Definition of Functional Requirements

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Detailed description of the system behavior and functionalities. These requirements define what the system should do.

Detailed Explanation

Functional requirements provide a clear overview of what functionalities are expected from a system. They specify actions that the system must execute, ensuring that all intended uses of the system are covered. This helps in defining the tasks the system must perform to satisfy stakeholder needs.

Examples & Analogies

Think of a functional requirement as a recipe in cooking. Just like a recipe lists all the ingredients and steps to create a dish, functional requirements list out the specific actions the system needs to perform to meet user expectations.

Key Characteristics of Functional Requirements

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● System-specific
● Action-oriented and measurable
● Derived from stakeholder needs

Detailed Explanation

Functional requirements highlight that they are designed specifically for a given system, capture measurable actions (like 'the system should allow users to reset passwords'), and are based on the needs expressed by stakeholders. This means that they are not abstract ideas; they directly relate to what users expect the system to accomplish.

Examples & Analogies

Consider how a gym membership system needs to allow users to sign up or cancel their membership. Each of these actions is a measurable task tied closely to what the users expect from the system.

Examples of Functional Requirements

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● The system shall allow users to reset passwords via email
● A user can filter products by category, price, and brand
● Payment gateway should support credit card and UPI options

Detailed Explanation

These examples show specific behaviors that the system must exhibit. For instance, the password reset feature ensures user security, filtering products enhances user experience when shopping, and support for multiple payment methods caters to diverse user preferences. Each one is a clear indication of what the system must do to fulfill its purpose.

Examples & Analogies

Imagine a website where you can shop for clothes online. If you can filter products by size or color, that functionality is a practical requirement of the online shopping experience, making it easier for you to find what you want quickly.

Deliverables for Functional Requirements

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● Functional Requirements Specification (FRS)
● User Stories / Use Cases
● Wireframes and Flow Diagrams

Detailed Explanation

The deliverables serve as documents that formalize and communicate the functional requirements. The FRS contains detailed descriptions of functionalities, user stories encapsulate user interaction scenarios, and wireframes/flow diagrams provide visual representations of how users will interact with the system.

Examples & Analogies

When designing a new mobile app, the wireframes act like a blueprint for an architect. Just as blueprints detail the layout of a building before construction, wireframes and diagrams help developers understand how features should be implemented.

BA's Role in Functional Requirements

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● Translate stakeholder needs into system features
● Collaborate with developers and QA to ensure clarity
● Validate functionality through acceptance criteria

Detailed Explanation

The Business Analyst (BA) acts as a key communicator who transforms stakeholder needs into actionable requirements for developers. This role includes ensuring that everyone involved has a shared understanding of functionalities, as well as checking that the system meets predefined criteria for performance and user satisfaction.

Examples & Analogies

Consider a translator at a conference who helps speakers and attendees understand each other. Similarly, a BA ensures that what stakeholders want is effectively communicated to the technical team, enabling the development of a system that meets user needs.

Definitions & Key Concepts

Learn essential terms and foundational ideas that form the basis of the topic.

Key Concepts

  • Functional Requirements: The specific behaviors and functionalities that a system must perform.

  • Functional Requirements Specification (FRS): A document detailing all functional requirements.

  • Stakeholder Needs: The requirements expressed by users and other stakeholders guiding what the system should do.

Examples & Real-Life Applications

See how the concepts apply in real-world scenarios to understand their practical implications.

Examples

  • The system shall allow users to reset passwords via email.

  • A user can filter products by category, price, and brand.

  • Payment gateway should support credit card and UPI options.

  • Important Deliverables

  • Functional requirements should be documented in several formats, including:

  • Functional Requirements Specification (FRS)

  • User Stories or Use Cases

  • Wireframes and Flow Diagrams

  • Role of Business Analyst (BA)

  • The BA's role includes translating stakeholder needs into clear features for developers, ensuring these requirements are understood and verifiable through acceptance criteria.

  • By defining functional requirements explicitly, BAs help in the successful implementation of systems that meet user expectations.

Memory Aids

Use mnemonics, acronyms, or visual cues to help remember key information more easily.

🎡 Rhymes Time

  • Requirements meant to function, specify actions with clear instruction.

πŸ“– Fascinating Stories

  • Imagine a user needing to reset their password. The system must provide a clear path to do that, which illustrates a functional requirement.

🧠 Other Memory Gems

  • F-U-N-C-T-I-O-N: 'Functional's Unique Needs Create Tangible Interactions On Navigation.'

🎯 Super Acronyms

FRS

  • Functional Requirements Specification
  • the guide to what actions a system must follow.

Flash Cards

Review key concepts with flashcards.

Glossary of Terms

Review the Definitions for terms.

  • Term: Functional Requirements

    Definition:

    Detailed descriptions of the behaviors and functionalities that a system must perform.

  • Term: Functional Requirements Specification (FRS)

    Definition:

    A comprehensive document outlining all functional requirements of a system.

  • Term: User Stories

    Definition:

    Short narratives that describe how a user interacts with a system to achieve a specific goal.

  • Term: Use Cases

    Definition:

    Descriptions of how users will interact with a system to complete tasks.