Start Off On The Right Foot: Requirements Gathering
Requirements gathering is the first step in any software development project. If you want to build something that actually serves the needs of your customers, you need to start by understanding those needs. In this article, I will discuss what requirements are, why they are important and how to gather them correctly.
Requirements Gathering is a fundamental part of any software development project.
The first step in the requirements-gathering process is to understand what a requirement actually is. Requirements are the necessary conditions for the satisfaction of a need or problem and should be stated in such a way that they can be tested for fulfillment during the development process. Requirements are often also referred to as “functional requirements” because they describe how an application or system performs its functions.
It’s important to note that there are different types of requirements – functional, non-functional, and user interface (UI). Functional requirements define what needs to be done while non-functional requirements describe how things will work (for example performance, scalability, etc.). UI specifications describe the look and feel of an application by defining colors, buttons, etc., but not its underlying logic like how it works technically.
Taking Stock
When it comes to software product development, it's important to create documentation of where you are today, as well as what the future will bring. Taking stock of the current state and documenting it will help illuminate pain points in the process, your improvements or product will solve. It will also help see where your software will need to integrate with other tool sets, such as CRM systems or other internal systems.
If you're working on an internal toolset, you'll want to document how it works and what features it needs, so that you can create a clear specification for developers who are building it out. The more information you can provide them with upfront, the better off they'll be when they're coding up what you need.
The User comes first
The user is the most important part of any product. You need to understand them and their needs so you can deliver a solution that meets those needs. As a developer, it is important to understand that the end-user has a different perspective than you do. They will use your software in ways you never imagined. As such, they are the ones who truly understand what Is needed.
It is vital to get them involved as early in the process as possible because gathering requirements involves getting input from multiple stakeholders in many different areas including business analysts, project managers, designers, and developers.
The best way to understand what users need and want is by asking them directly. Don't assume you know what they'll say! But it is not enough to ask a customer what they want; you must also ask them questions like:
Does this feature help solve your problem?
How does this feature help solve your problem?
What are some ways in which the solution could be improved?
Embedding this level of communication into the project upfront will ensure you understand what you are building, and how it will be used. Incorporating a feedback loop to capture user input on a regular basis, especially as the product goes through development and changes occur will increase your ability to deliver a worthwhile product. If we do not get these kinds of details, the product will not be useful or helpful in any way.
Scope creep
In a perfect world, scope creep would not be an issue. Unfortunately, it's not just a thing that happens occasionally: it's a major factor in nearly all projects, especially custom development. In fact, you can go so far as to say that if your project doesn't have any scope creep, it probably wasn't given enough time and attention (and therefore had its requirements-gathering phase cut short).
The best way to avoid this problem is by creating a clear and defined scope for your project upfront. However, if you've already seen some kind of scope creep during implementation and are looking for ways to correct it now before it gets out of hand—or worse yet becomes too late—here are some tips on how to deal with this common stumbling block:
Document Scope Changes.
When someone suggests additional work, first determine whether it’s truly necessary or if it’s just something they want to do. If it’s necessary, document the change in writing and assign it to someone who has time available in their schedule. Write down who approved the change, when it was approved, and by whom, so everyone knows who is responsible for getting it done by what date.
Re-baseline Your Project Schedule or Project Plan.
If an additional task is approved, re-baseline your project plan and update the schedule baseline accordingly to reflect the new work that needs to be done. If you don’t have time remaining in your schedule, then determine how much more time will be needed and request additional resources or funding from your management team
Go Get Em
If you’re new to requirements gathering and are feeling nervous, don’t worry! It’s a very important part of the software development process. And if you follow these steps correctly, you can be sure that your clients will be happy with the results.
