How do you define clear and realistic requirements in waterfall projects?

1 Benefits of clear and realistic requirements

Clear and realistic requirements are the cornerstone of any waterfall project. They enable alignment of the software with business goals and user needs, help prevent scope creep, rework, and delays, reduce risks, errors, and ambiguity, facilitate effective communication between stakeholders and the development team, provide a means to measure and evaluate the quality and performance of the software, and ensure delivery of a software that meets or exceeds the expectations of the stakeholders.

2 Sources of requirements

Requirements for a project can come from a variety of sources, such as stakeholders, documents, research, and experience. Stakeholders can provide their needs, expectations, preferences, constraints, and feedback. Documents can help to understand the context, scope, and specifications of the project. Research involves gathering and analyzing data to identify problems, opportunities, trends, and best practices. Experience is knowledge and expertise acquired from previous or similar projects that can be used to avoid common pitfalls and apply lessons learned.

3 Types of requirements

Requirements can be classified into different types, depending on their nature, level, and format. Functional requirements describe what the software should do, while non-functional requirements explain how it should do it. Business requirements outline why the software is needed, while user requirements focus on who will use it and what they want to achieve. Finally, technical requirements provide information on the technical aspects of the software, such as hardware and software compatibility. For example, functional requirements may include "The software should allow users to create, edit, and delete accounts," while non-functional requirements may state "The software should be secure, reliable, and user-friendly." Business requirements may be "The software should increase customer satisfaction and retention," and user requirements could be "The users should be able to register and log in with their email and password." Technical requirements may include "The software should be compatible with Windows 10 and Chrome browser."

4 Methods of defining requirements

When defining requirements in waterfall projects, there are various methods that you can use, such as brainstorming, use cases, user stories, and prototypes. Brainstorming is a technique where you generate ideas in a group setting without judging or filtering them. Use cases illustrate the functional requirements and the user interface, while user stories capture the user needs and expectations in a concise manner. Prototypes are mock-ups or simulations of the software that can be used to demonstrate and validate the requirements, as well as get feedback from stakeholders and users.

5 Tips for defining clear and realistic requirements

Defining clear and realistic requirements in waterfall projects is not an easy task; it requires careful planning, analysis, communication, and documentation. To do this effectively, involve the stakeholders and users throughout the process. They are the ones who know what they want from the software and can provide you with valuable insights, feedback, and approval. Gather and define requirements from multiple sources and methods to avoid missing or conflicting requirements. Additionally, prioritize and categorize the requirements to focus on the most important ones and organize them logically. Make sure to write clear and unambiguous requirements by using simple language, avoiding jargon and acronyms, and stating the requirements in positive terms. Finally, validate and verify the requirements to ensure they are accurate, complete, feasible, testable, and aligned with the project goals and scope by using reviews, inspections, tests, etc.