System Requirements

System Requirements is the process of identifying and documenting the features that a solution must possess to be successful.  Each requirement is identified by its function or by its result.  This means that a requirement could be a functionality type of requirement such as “The solution must increment a counter, each time the operator performs an action”, or a result type of requirement such as “The solution must have an error rate of not more than one percent”.

Requirements should cover every aspect of the solution including software, hardware, business procedures, human resources, financial restrictions, schedule, and environment.  All ideas, goals, and expectations that the customer possesses should be included in System Requirements.  Additionally, consultants and other parties may contribute to the requirements process in order to capture a complete picture.  Each requirement should then be given a status that indicates its importance to the project and the customer.  Some requirements will be mandatory, meaning that the project will not proceed if the requirement is not met.

Other requirements might be desirable, but the solution could be successful without the requirement being met.
A fully documented System Requirements is then main tool that is used in the process of vendor selection, scope definition, revised planning of budgets and schedules, and resource allocation.  Vendors can be measured on how many of the requirements they can satisfy.  The project’s scope can be clearly defined as the contents of the requirements document, or some combination of included requirements and excluded requirements.  Project budgets and schedules can be estimated accurately, once requirements are defined.  Resources can be allocated, knowing the importance and effort involved in satisfying each requirement.  Effectively, a complete System Requirements is one of the most important tools in the undertaking of a successful project.

TIG has extensive expertise in preparing and documenting System Requirements for customers.  Once captured and documented, TIG can also assist in vendor selection, project planning, project management, and providing advice on various solutions that may satisfy the requirements.  System Requirements is a very important step in the completion of a successful project.  With TIG’s input, the System Requirements process can provide the greatest possible benefit to the project and the customer.