Requirements Documentation
Requirements documentation describes how individual requirements meet the business need for the project, capturing all requirements in enough detail for them to be measured and managed.
Explanation
Requirements documentation is a key output of the Collect Requirements process. It serves as a comprehensive record of all identified requirements, categorized by type: business requirements, stakeholder requirements, solution requirements (both functional and nonfunctional), transition requirements, project requirements, quality requirements, and any assumptions, constraints, and dependencies.
The level of detail in requirements documentation varies by project. Some projects may require formal, detailed specifications, while others may use a simple list of prioritized items. Regardless of format, each requirement should be unambiguous, traceable, consistent, and testable. This ensures that the requirement can be validated during the Validate Scope process and verified during quality control.
Requirements documentation is used as an input to several downstream processes including Define Scope, Create WBS, and Validate Scope. It also feeds into the requirements traceability matrix, which tracks each requirement from origin through deliverable, ensuring nothing is missed or added without authorization.
Key Points
- •Output of the Collect Requirements process
- •Captures business, stakeholder, solution, transition, and project requirements
- •Requirements should be unambiguous, traceable, consistent, and testable
- •Used as input to Define Scope, Create WBS, and Validate Scope
Exam Tip
Requirements must be testable and traceable. If a requirement cannot be tested or traced to a business objective, it is poorly written and may lead to scope problems.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Topics
Collect Requirements
Collect Requirements is the process of determining, documenting, and managing stakeholder needs and requirements to meet project objectives.
Requirements Traceability Matrix
A requirements traceability matrix (RTM) is a grid that links product requirements from their origin to the deliverables that satisfy them, ensuring each requirement adds business value and is tracked throughout the project.
Define Scope
Define Scope is the process of developing a detailed description of the project and product, resulting in the project scope statement.
Validate Scope
Validate Scope is the process of formalizing acceptance of the completed project deliverables by the customer or sponsor.
Test your knowledge
Practice scenario-based questions on this topic with detailed explanations.