Developing requirements for software development can be an interesting and revealing experience for business stakeholders, if it is approached in a creative fashion. The main prerequisites for the definition of requirements must be an open mind set and a collaborative attitude. It is possible for a project to get bogged down in the requirements phase, this can be avoided by being flexible and creative. One process that can quickly lead to conflict is an attempt by ‘requirements analysts’ to elicit a list of requirements which have to be signed off by the stakeholders. A sensible approach to requirements should use a process of discovery and should work to actively resolve conflict before it occurs.
The first step in requirements must be to find the true purpose of a proposed piece of software that is to be developed or enhanced. This is the business ‘End’ that the software satisfies, which may be a complex mix of market research or may be a more straight forward set of business goals. The goals of the system are the primary requirement and should be stated in business terms. Attempts at this stage to inject technical terminology should be avoided, for example avoid statements that say ‘Each customer must have a unique number’, when what is meant is that ‘Each customer must be uniquely identified’.
The goals of a system can be loosely classified under headings such as ‘Better’,’Faster’ and ‘Cheaper’, and the classifications can be explored to expose requirements of quality and cost effectiveness. Once these Business Requirements have been established the next steps of business analysis can take place. A new computer system will not solve issues with business process, the business process itself must be re-engineered and then a set of requirements can be put in place to implement the new process.
The project planning process can be used to control the development of requirements, there are stages that can be signed off by common agreement, this must be a joint decision between the business stakeholders and the process analysts. A sign-off of business requirements indicates that both the stakeholders and the process analysts are satisfied that the requirements are sufficient to move on to develop functional requirements which are the means of achieving the stated business goals. To meet the development goals of the organizations, the use low code application will be beneficial. For further information, a contact can be made at the https://www.wavemaker.com/low-code-app-development-platform site through the person.
The completed business requirements will indicate the expected benefits to the business of the completed project, which will also lead to a reasonable estimate of the size of the budget for the project. Business requirements can also address the business risks, which can be taken up as part of project governance and the business case.
Business requirements are only the first step in developing or redeveloping software solutions; correctly addressed. these requirements both describe, and enable the achievement of, business goals.
