How can you gather and analyze requirements and needs for enterprise software?

1 Identify stakeholders

The first step is to identify who are the key stakeholders involved in the enterprise software project. These are the people who have a direct or indirect interest in the outcome, such as users, managers, customers, vendors, regulators, and sponsors. You need to consult with them to understand their expectations, preferences, pain points, and goals. You can use various methods to collect their input, such as interviews, surveys, focus groups, workshops, and observation.

2 Define scope and objectives

The next step is to define the scope and objectives of the enterprise software project. The scope defines what the project will and will not cover, such as the features, functions, processes, data, and integration. The objectives define what the project aims to achieve, such as the benefits, outcomes, metrics, and milestones. You need to align the scope and objectives with the stakeholders' needs and the organizational strategy. You can use tools such as project charter, scope statement, and SMART goals to document them.

3 Elicit requirements

The third step is to elicit the requirements for the enterprise software project. Requirements are the specifications of what the software must do, have, or provide to meet the stakeholders' needs and objectives. They can be categorized into functional, non-functional, and technical requirements. You need to use various techniques to elicit the requirements, such as brainstorming, prototyping, use cases, user stories, and scenarios. You can use tools such as requirements matrix, traceability matrix, and backlog to organize them.

4 Analyze requirements

The fourth step is to analyze the requirements for the enterprise software project. Analysis involves verifying, validating, prioritizing, and refining the requirements to ensure they are clear, complete, consistent, feasible, testable, and relevant. You need to use various methods to analyze the requirements, such as reviews, inspections, walkthroughs, modeling, simulation, and testing. You can use tools such as requirements specification, use case diagram, data flow diagram, and wireframe to document them.

5 Communicate requirements

The fifth step is to communicate the requirements for the enterprise software project. Communication involves sharing, presenting, and negotiating the requirements with the stakeholders and the software vendors or developers. You need to use various channels to communicate the requirements, such as meetings, reports, emails, presentations, and demos. You can use tools such as requirements management software, collaboration platforms, and feedback forms to facilitate communication.

6 Manage changes

The final step is to manage the changes that may occur during the enterprise software project. Changes are inevitable due to new or evolving needs, issues, risks, or opportunities. You need to have a process to identify, assess, approve, and implement changes to the requirements. You also need to update the documentation and communicate the changes to the stakeholders and the software vendors or developers. You can use tools such as change request form, change log, and version control to manage changes.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?