Types of Requirements - 5 | Requirement Engineering | Business Analysis
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5 - Types of Requirements

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Business Requirements

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0:00
Teacher
Teacher

Today, we're starting with Business Requirements, which define the reasons for undertaking a project. Can anyone tell me why these are strategic?

Student 1
Student 1

They align with the organization’s goals.

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly, they express the 'why' behind projects. Memory aid: Think of 'B' for Business as 'Goals'. Let's discuss some examples of business requirements.

Student 2
Student 2

Like increasing user engagement?

Teacher
Teacher

Yes! So, business requirements are often communicated through documents like the BRD. Can anyone summarize what a BRD includes?

Student 3
Student 3

It includes the business needs, objectives, and project scope!

Teacher
Teacher

Great! In summary, business requirements are critical for project justification. They guide the entire project vision.

Stakeholder Requirements

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0:00
Teacher
Teacher

Next, let’s talk about Stakeholder Requirements. Why are these essential to bridge business needs and solutions?

Student 4
Student 4

Because they reflect the specific needs of users and stakeholders!

Teacher
Teacher

Correct! Stakeholder requirements help us understand user perspectives. Can anyone give an example?

Student 1
Student 1

A customer wanting to track their order status!

Teacher
Teacher

Well done! To manage these requirements, a Stakeholder Matrix can be helpful. Why is that?

Student 2
Student 2

It helps you visualize and prioritize their needs based on influence and importance.

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! Remember, it’s crucial for us to align stakeholder needs with business expectations.

Functional Requirements

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0:00
Teacher
Teacher

Now, we move on to Functional Requirements. What do these encompass?

Student 3
Student 3

They describe what the system should do!

Teacher
Teacher

Right! They're derived from stakeholder needs and help shape system functionalities. Can anyone provide an example of a functional requirement?

Student 4
Student 4

The system should allow users to reset their passwords through email.

Teacher
Teacher

Perfect! This leads us to the importance of collaboration. Who do BAs collaborate with for validating functional requirements?

Student 1
Student 1

Developers and Quality Assurance teams!

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! Collaborating ensures clarity in system features. Remember this: Functional Requirements are essentially 'what' the system does.

Non-Functional Requirements

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Teacher
Teacher

Lastly, let’s discuss Non-Functional Requirements. How do these differ from Functional Requirements?

Student 2
Student 2

They focus on how the system performs rather than what it does!

Teacher
Teacher

Spot on! They involve qualities like performance and security. Can anyone give examples of NFRs?

Student 3
Student 3

The system must respond in under 2 seconds!

Teacher
Teacher

Great example! NFRs can be challenging but are critical for user satisfaction. BA's role is to ensure these are documented and testable.

Student 4
Student 4

So, we have to make sure they are clear for developers to implement?

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! In summary, NFRs reflect system qualities and constraints. Keep in mind: 'how well' the system performs is just as important as 'what' it does.

Introduction & Overview

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

Quick Overview

This section categorizes the four major types of requirements essential for a Business Analyst: Business, Stakeholder, Functional, and Non-Functional Requirements.

Standard

In this section, we discuss the four types of requirements that are crucial for aligning project objectives with organizational goals. Business Requirements outline why a project is initiated, Stakeholder Requirements capture user needs, Functional Requirements specify the system's operations, and Non-Functional Requirements cover quality attributes and constraints.

Detailed

Understanding Types of Requirements

In the field of requirement engineering, understanding the types of requirements is critical for Business Analysts (BAs) to effectively align solutions with organizational goals and user needs. Requirements fall into four major types:

1. Business Requirements

  • Definition: High-level needs that justify the initiation of a project, representing the organization's motives.
  • Characteristics: Strategic, aligned with business vision, expressed by senior stakeholders.
  • Examples: Increasing user engagement, launching new platforms, reducing workload.

2. Stakeholder Requirements

  • Definition: These represent the specific needs of stakeholders and users, bridging business requirements and solution requirements.
  • Characteristics: Vary based on roles, responsibility, and expectations of involved parties.
  • Examples: Customers needing order tracking, financial teams requesting reports, admin users managing access levels.

3. Functional Requirements

  • Definition: Detailed descriptions on what a system should do and how it behaves, derived from stakeholder needs.
  • Characteristics: System-specific, measurable, actionable.
  • Examples: Password reset capabilities, filtering products, payment processing.

4. Non-Functional Requirements (NFRs)

  • Definition: Focus on how the system should behave, encompassing quality attributes rather than specific functions.
  • Characteristics: Related to performance, security, reliability, usability; testable and measurable.
  • Examples: Loading speed, concurrent user support, data encryption.

Comparison Summary

Each type of requirement addresses fundamental project areas:
- Business: Why?
- Stakeholder: Who needs what?
- Functional: What should the system do?
- Non-Functional: How well should it perform?

The roles of BAs in addressing these requirements involve identifying needs, validating solutions, and ensuring clarity and alignment throughout the software development lifecycle (SDLC).

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Understanding Requirement Types

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Understanding the types of requirements is critical for a Business Analyst (BA) to ensure that all aspects of the solution align with the organization’s goals and user expectations.

Detailed Explanation

This introduction emphasizes the importance of recognizing different types of requirements in business analysis. Requirements help define the goals of a project and ensure that both the organization and users are satisfied with the outcomes. Understanding these types allows a BA to align project goals with organizational objectives.

Examples & Analogies

Imagine preparing a meal: you need to know whether to cook for a large gathering or just a family dinner. Understanding the 'requirements' of your guests (type of meal, dietary restrictions) is akin to understanding project requirements. Both help you tailor the best solution for your needs.

Business Requirements

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1. Business Requirements

Definition: High-level needs of the organization that justify the initiation of a project. They define why the project is being undertaken.

Key Characteristics:
- Strategic in nature
- Aligned with business goals and vision
- Often expressed by senior stakeholders

Examples:
- Increase user engagement by 20% in 6 months
- Launch an e-commerce platform for rural areas
- Reduce manual work in billing by 50%

Deliverables:
- Business Requirements Document (BRD)
- Business Case
- Vision and Scope Document

BA's Role:
- Identify business needs through interviews and workshops
- Understand business drivers and success criteria
- Define project boundaries and high-level objectives

Detailed Explanation

Business Requirements refer to the overarching goals and needs of an organization that drive project initiation. They are strategic, aligning with the organization's vision and often come from high-level stakeholders. A Business Analyst (BA) must capture these requirements accurately as they set the foundation for all subsequent project activities. Common deliverables include a Business Requirements Document (BRD), which outlines these needs in detail, and a Business Case that justifies project investment.

Examples & Analogies

Think of Business Requirements like the mission statement of a company. Just as a company’s mission guides decisions and strategies, business requirements guide the direction of a project. For example, if a company's mission is to improve customer service, a project aimed at implementing a new support system aligns perfectly with this requirement.

Stakeholder Requirements

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2. Stakeholder Requirements

Definition: Requirements that represent the needs of stakeholders and users. They bridge the gap between business requirements and solution requirements.

Key Characteristics:
- Expressed by individuals or groups impacted by the system
- Vary by role, responsibility, and expectations

Examples:
- A customer wants to track their order status in real-time
- The finance team needs to generate monthly sales reports
- Admin users must manage user access levels

Deliverables:
- Stakeholder Matrix
- Personas
- Use Case Narratives

BA's Role:
- Identify and document the needs of all stakeholders
- Manage conflicts between stakeholder needs
- Validate expectations and align them with business goals

Detailed Explanation

Stakeholder Requirements are specific needs voiced by individuals or groups who will use or be affected by the system. These requirements help connect the high-level Business Requirements with the more detailed Functional Requirements. A Business Analyst is responsible for gathering, documenting, and reconciling these requirements to ensure all voices are considered, thus leading to a comprehensive understanding of what stakeholders expect from the project.

Examples & Analogies

Imagine planning a wedding. You have the broad vision (business requirements), but you also need to consider what the bride, groom, and families want (stakeholder requirements). Each person may have different expectations, and it's the planner's job to document and balance these desires to create a memorable event.

Functional Requirements

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3. Functional Requirements

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

Key Characteristics:
- System-specific
- Action-oriented and measurable
- Derived from stakeholder needs

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

Deliverables:
- Functional Requirements Specification (FRS)
- User Stories / Use Cases
- Wireframes and Flow Diagrams

BA's Role:
- Translate stakeholder needs into system features
- Collaborate with developers and QA to ensure clarity
- Validate functionality through acceptance criteria

Detailed Explanation

Functional Requirements provide specific details regarding what a system should do. They stem from stakeholder needs and emphasize actions the system must support. A Business Analyst translates these needs into practical features, ensuring they are measurable and achievable. Deliverables in this category include user stories, use cases, and wireframes that visually represent functional specifications.

Examples & Analogies

Consider a smartphone. Functional Requirements would detail what features it must have, such as calling, messaging, and internet browsing capabilities. This is similar to detailing what specific capabilities a system must deliver to meet user expectations, much like ensuring a smartphone delivers on its core features.

Non-Functional Requirements (NFRs)

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4. Non-Functional Requirements (NFRs)

Definition: Requirements that define how the system should behave, focusing on system qualities and constraints rather than specific behaviors.

Key Characteristics:
- Quality-related (performance, security, usability, etc.)
- Often cross-cutting across many functional components
- Measurable or testable

Examples:
- The system should load the homepage in under 2 seconds
- The application must support 5,000 concurrent users
- Data should be encrypted in transit and at rest

Types of NFRs:
- Performance (e.g., response time, throughput)
- Security (e.g., authentication, encryption)
- Usability (e.g., intuitive design, accessibility)
- Reliability (e.g., system uptime, error handling)
- Scalability (e.g., ability to grow with demand)
- Compliance (e.g., GDPR, HIPAA)

Deliverables:
- NFR Documentation
- Service Level Agreements (SLAs)
- System Design Constraints

BA's Role:
- Elicit NFRs through stakeholder interviews and system reviews
- Ensure NFRs are testable and documented
- Collaborate with architects and developers to plan for NFRs

Detailed Explanation

Non-Functional Requirements (NFRs) address the quality and performance characteristics of a system rather than its functional aspects. They include aspects like security, usability, and performance metrics. A Business Analyst ensures these requirements are tangible and validated through stakeholder discussions and thorough documentation, influencing how well the system can operate under various conditions.

Examples & Analogies

Think of NFRs like the safety features in a car. While functional requirements define how the car drives (steering, acceleration), non-functional requirements specify how quickly it stops, how safe it is in a crash, or how comfortable it is to drive. Just like each of these aspects plays a crucial role in the overall driving experience, NFRs are essential for system success.

Comparison of Requirement Types

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πŸ” Comparison Summary
| Type of Focus Area | Requirement Question | Example |
|--------------------|---------------------|---------|
| Business | Strategic | Why? | "Increase online sales by 20%" |
| Stakeholder | User Needs | Who needs what? | "Customer wants real-time order tracking" |
| Functional | System | What? | "Allow user to reset password" |
| Non-functional | System | How well? | "System must respond within 2 seconds" |

Detailed Explanation

This comparison summary neatly outlines the different categories of requirements and provides a quick reference for understanding their focus areas, fundamental questions, and examples. Each type of requirement addresses various aspects of project needs, helping stakeholders and analysts ensure that all requirements are considered and met.

Examples & Analogies

Consider preparing for a sports competition. Business requirements might involve overall goals like winning the championship; stakeholder requirements would include what each player needs to succeed; functional requirements would detail specific plays and strategies; and non-functional requirements would ensure good condition and stamina. Just like in sports, understanding the different parts of requirements helps ensure a project is successful.

Pro Tip for BAs

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πŸ“Œ Pro Tip for BAs:
Always ensure that functional and non-functional requirements trace back to stakeholder and business needs β€” this helps maintain alignment, relevance, and clarity throughout the SDLC.

Detailed Explanation

This tip emphasizes the importance of aligning both functional and non-functional requirements with the foundational stakeholder and business requirements. By continuously assessing this alignment throughout the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC), a Business Analyst ensures that the project remains relevant and meets the initial goals.

Examples & Analogies

Imagine a building architect who designs a structure. If the architect creates great features (like large windows and open spaces) but does not consider the client’s budget and lifestyle needs, the project may fail. Ensuring all aspects align with the client's needs is critical to success, just like in software development.

Definitions & Key Concepts

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

Key Concepts

  • Business Requirements: Define the purpose and justification for projects.

  • Stakeholder Requirements: Address user and stakeholder needs.

  • Functional Requirements: Outline system behaviors and capabilities.

  • Non-Functional Requirements: Describe quality attributes and performance metrics.

Examples & Real-Life Applications

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

Examples

  • Increase user engagement by 20% over six months.

  • Customers request the ability to receive real-time order updates.

  • The system must load webpages in under 2 seconds.

  • Functional requirement: users must be able to filter by product category.

Memory Aids

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

🎡 Rhymes Time

  • Business needs show the way, they're the 'why' of our project play.

πŸ“– Fascinating Stories

  • Once a company wanted to launch a new product. They gathered stakeholders, who each had their unique needs. The BA managed to align everyone by addressing business, stakeholder, functional, and non-functional requirements, leading the project to success!

🧠 Other Memory Gems

  • B-S-F-N: Big Stakeholders Focus on Needs, remember the types of requirements!

🎯 Super Acronyms

B-F-S-N for Business, Functional, Stakeholder, Non-Functional - types of requirements that are integral!

Flash Cards

Review key concepts with flashcards.

Glossary of Terms

Review the Definitions for terms.

  • Term: Business Requirements

    Definition:

    High-level needs of the organization that justify project initiation.

  • Term: Stakeholder Requirements

    Definition:

    Requirements that represent the needs of stakeholders and users.

  • Term: Functional Requirements

    Definition:

    Detailed description of the system behavior and functionalities.

  • Term: NonFunctional Requirements

    Definition:

    Requirements that define how the system should behave focusing on system qualities.