Identifying Functional Requirements
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Choosing Your Project Idea
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Welcome class! Today, we are going to discuss how to choose a meaningful project idea for your capstone. Can anyone share what project they might consider?
I was thinking about building a task management app.
Great choice! Task management apps are highly functional. Why do you think this will be useful?
Because many people need to keep track of their tasks and deadlines.
Exactly! That's a real-world problem. Remember, a good project should solve an actual problem or fill a need. Let's list down some features you might include in this app.
Identifying Core Features
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Now, once you've settled on the project, it’s time to identify the core features. What features do you think a task management app should have?
User authentication could be important, right? So users can log in securely.
That’s correct! User authentication ensures that the data is secure. What about adding, editing, or deleting tasks?
Yes, and we could organize tasks by due dates or projects.
Fantastic! Organizing tasks helps with prioritization. Let's write these features down. They will be the backbone of your application.
Creating User Stories
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To develop your application further, you need to translate features into user stories. Can anyone give me an example of a user story?
As a user, I want to create a new task so that I can keep track of my assignments.
Great! User stories provide context and purpose. They help ensure we're making something beneficial. What other stories can we create?
How about: As a user, I want to set reminders for tasks to manage my time effectively?
Excellent! Remember, each user story becomes a guide for your development and testing phases.
Introduction & Overview
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Quick Overview
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Identifying the functional requirements is essential when developing a web application. This involves creating a list of core features and breaking them down into user stories to guide the development process.
Detailed
Detailed Summary
In this section, we dive into the importance of identifying functional requirements for your capstone project. A functional requirement outlines what the system should do, defining the expected behaviors, operations, and functionalities of the web application.
1. Choosing Your Project Idea: Begin by selecting a project that aligns with your interests and demonstrates practical uses, like a task management app, e-commerce site, social media dashboard, or CMS.
2. Identifying Core Features: After selecting a project idea, it’s crucial to define the core features your app will offer. For example, in a task management application, core features could include user authentication, task creation and editing, organization of tasks by project or category, marking tasks as completed, and setting deadlines.
3. Creating User Stories: Transform your core features into smaller user stories. For instance, 'As a user, I want to log in securely so I can access my tasks' serves both to clarify what the feature does and inform the development process.
In summary, clearly identifying functional requirements is not just about listing features, but about creating a roadmap to guide the development process and ensuring each functionality is tied back to user needs.
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Creating a List of Core Features
Chapter 1 of 3
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Chapter Content
Once you have a project idea, create a list of core features your app will offer. For instance, if you're building a task manager, your features might include:
- User authentication (sign-up/sign-in)
- Create/edit tasks
- Organize tasks by project or category
- Mark tasks as completed
- Set task deadlines and reminders
Detailed Explanation
In this step, we identify and list out the essential features that your application will need to provide value to its users. For example, a task manager should allow users to log in securely, create and manage tasks, categorize them, and set deadlines. This clear list helps streamline the development process, setting a foundation for your app's functionality.
Examples & Analogies
Think of this step like planning a restaurant menu. You need to decide on the key dishes you will offer (like user authentication or task management) to ensure that customers (users) have a satisfying experience.
Breaking Down Features into User Stories
Chapter 2 of 3
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Chapter Content
This list should be broken down into smaller user stories. For example:
- As a user, I want to log in securely so that I can access my tasks.
- As a user, I want to assign a due date to my tasks so that I can manage deadlines.
Detailed Explanation
User stories are a great way to express the needs and objectives of your users in simple language. They help you understand what exact functionality you need to implement. Each story focuses on a single aspect of the user experience, guiding the development process effectively by keeping user needs at the forefront.
Examples & Analogies
Imagine you are creating a travel itinerary. Instead of listing 'the trip will include a hotel' as a feature, you might say, 'As a traveler, I want to book a hotel near the beach so that I can enjoy my vacation.' This approach makes your planning more user-centered.
Importance of User Stories in Development
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Chapter Content
These user stories will be your roadmap for development.
Detailed Explanation
By utilizing user stories as a roadmap, you create a clear guideline for what features to build first based on user priorities. This approach allows developers to focus on delivering the most valuable functionalities first, ensuring users find the application beneficial and enjoyable to use.
Examples & Analogies
Consider user stories as GPS directions for a road trip. Instead of just having a map, the GPS provides specific instructions on which exits to take and what turns to make. This ensures you stay on the right path and arrive at your destination efficiently.
Key Concepts
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Core Features: The essential functionalities that a web application must provide.
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User Stories: Personal descriptions of how features will fulfill user needs, guiding the development process.
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Project Idea: A conceptual foundation that aligns with personal interests and demonstrates skills.
Examples & Applications
A task management application with features like setting deadlines, categorizing tasks, and user roles.
An e-commerce site that allows product management, payment processing, and user authentication.
Memory Aids
Interactive tools to help you remember key concepts
Rhymes
For tasks to thrive, core features must come alive.
Stories
Once a user wanted a simple app to track tasks. They dreamt of features—like marking tasks done and categorizing them, turning their dream into a roadmap.
Memory Tools
UFO - User Features Organized: Remember, core features begin with understanding user needs and organizing functionalities.
Acronyms
C-F-U
Core features
Functional requirements
and User stories to remember the main aspects of application development.
Flash Cards
Glossary
- Functional Requirement
A specification of what a system should do, detailing the behavior and operations expected from the application.
- User Authentication
The process of verifying the identity of a user, ensuring that only authorized users can access the application.
- User Story
A narrative description of a feature from the end user's perspective, outlining their need or desired outcome.
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