What is the best way to manage system requirements during development?

2 Elicit and analyze the requirements

The next step in managing system requirements is to elicit and analyze the requirements from the stakeholders and other sources. Elicitation is the process of gathering the information and needs of the stakeholders, and analysis is the process of refining and organizing the information into coherent and consistent requirements. You should use various elicitation techniques, such as interviews, surveys, workshops, observation, and prototyping, to collect the data from the stakeholders. You should also use various analysis techniques, such as modeling, prioritization, validation, and verification, to structure and validate the requirements.

3 Specify and document the requirements

The third step in managing system requirements is to specify and document the requirements in a clear and unambiguous way. Specification is the process of defining the requirements in a formal and standardized language, and documentation is the process of recording the requirements in a readable and traceable format. You should use a specification language that is appropriate for the type and level of the requirements, such as natural language, structured language, or graphical language. You should also use a documentation format that is suitable for the audience and the purpose of the requirements, such as text, tables, diagrams, or models.

4 Manage and control the changes

The fourth step in managing system requirements is to manage and control the changes that may occur during the development process. Changes are inevitable in any project, and they can affect the system requirements in terms of scope, quality, cost, and schedule. You should establish a change management process that defines how to identify, evaluate, approve, and implement changes to the system requirements. You should also use a change control system that tracks and records the changes and their impacts on the system requirements.

5 Communicate and collaborate with the team

The fifth step in managing system requirements is to communicate and collaborate with the team members who are involved in the development process. Communication is the process of sharing and exchanging information and feedback about the system requirements, and collaboration is the process of working together and coordinating activities and tasks related to the system requirements. You should use effective communication and collaboration tools and techniques, such as meetings, emails, reports, reviews, and wikis, to ensure that the system requirements are understood, agreed, and implemented by the team members.

6 Test and evaluate the system

The final step in managing system requirements is to test and evaluate the system against the requirements. Testing is the process of verifying and validating that the system meets the requirements, and evaluation is the process of measuring and assessing the performance and quality of the system. You should use various testing and evaluation methods, such as unit testing, integration testing, system testing, acceptance testing, and usability testing, to check and confirm that the system satisfies the requirements. You should also use various metrics and criteria, such as functionality, reliability, efficiency, and usability, to evaluate and improve the system.