IT Requirements - The Woodchuck Way

I'm sure you've all seen a 101 articles about how Digital teams capture requirements and work with you to define design specifications... In my experience, they're always written for the benefit of technologists, not anyone else, so I wanted to have a go at putting this in a different way!

Believe me, capturing IT requirements can often feel like translating a whimsical riddle into actionable tasks, not unlike deciphering how much wood a woodchuck would chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood....

Here’s is my humorous, yet surprisingly realistic take on how this process might unfold in the world of IT - because life is too short for another jargon filled attempt at an explanation.

Phase 1: Requirement Gathering

Project Manager: "So, we've been tasked with determining the wood-chucking capabilities of a hypothetical woodchuck. Let's break down the requirements. First, can anyone clarify what 'chuck' means in this context?"

Business Analyst: "According to my research, 'chuck' could refer to the amount of wood that a woodchuck is able to throw or otherwise move. We'll need to define the metrics for 'chuck'—volume, distance, or perhaps weight?"

Phase 2: Defining Scope

Developer: "Before we proceed, we need to establish the parameters. Are we assuming this woodchuck is operating under ideal conditions? And what's the standard unit of wood we're using here?"

Project Manager: "Good points. Let's assume 'ideal conditions' and define a 'chuck' as 'the volume of wood that a woodchuck can displace in a standard day'. We'll measure wood in cubic meters."

Phase 3: Stakeholder Confirmation

Project Manager: "Let's align with our stakeholders on these definitions. We're proceeding under the assumption that we're measuring the volume of wood in cubic meters that a woodchuck could chuck in ideal conditions. Are we all in agreement?"

Stakeholder: "Yes, but can we also include an estimate of how these capabilities might be impacted under less-than-ideal conditions? Say, adverse weather or wood scarcity?"

Phase 4: Technical Specifications

System Analyst: "To accurately capture this data, we'll need to develop a simulation model. This model will calculate the volume of wood chucked based on variables such as the woodchuck's strength, stamina, the density of the wood, and environmental conditions."

Developer: "We'll also need an interface where users can adjust the variables to see different outcomes. Plus, we should consider mobile accessibility for field researchers to input real-world data."

Phase 5: Implementation Plan

Project Manager: "Based on our specifications, the development team will create the simulation model and user interface. We'll have milestones for the initial model development, testing phases with simulated and real-world data, and finally, deployment and training for end-users."

Phase 6: Review & Testing

Quality Assurance: "During testing, we'll need to ensure the model accurately reflects changes in variables and that the interface is user-friendly. We should also test on different devices to ensure compatibility."

Phase 7: Deployment & Feedback

Project Manager: "Once deployed, we'll gather feedback from users on the model's accuracy and the interface's usability. This feedback will be crucial for iterative improvements."

Stakeholder: "This sounds like a comprehensive plan. I'm particularly interested in seeing how the model predicts woodchuck wood-chucking capabilities under various scenarios."

Conclusion

While the task of determining how much wood a woodchuck would chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood might seem rooted in fantasy, the process of capturing and implementing IT requirements mirrors real-world challenges.

Like this example of breaking down whimsical questions into an actionable plan, IT teams can tackle even the most perplexing puzzles—be it about woodchucks or other digital developments.

Maybe this has been helpful for you to understand how us digital folk approach building requirements and a plan, maybe you're a technologist who just needed a giggle - either way, I hope it made you smile :)