How to Write a Requirements Document

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: March 1, 2023 References

If you are working for a software development company or other similar employer, you may need to come up with a requirements document for an IT product. This kind of document specifies what a future software application or IT product might look like, and more importantly, how it will be used and how it needs to be built. This is done by showing various markets for product development, along with other essential data. If you need to write a requirements document, these basic steps will assist in detailing what is needed.

Steps

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1
Create a comprehensive explanation of what is needed for a product. The requirements document will need to fully develop the context around a product and what it must look like to help developers implement their work.^{[1]
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2
Interview various sources. Get information for the requirements document from business leaders, engineers, developers, sales reps, customers or anyone else with important information about needs for product development.^{[2]
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3
List system requirements or properties. One of the important elements of requirements is the system requirements, or how the product will interact with a given system for a workstation or network.^{[3]
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Identify any constraints for the project. Explaining restrictions or constraints within the requirements document will help further guide those who are working on the software or IT product.
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Consider any interface requirements. Interface requirements are an important part of this document because they determine how the end-user will view the product. They often have a critical influence on the user-friendliness of a product.^{[4]
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- Identify color schemes, command button requirements and any other part of a successful interface.
- Keep in mind the programming tools that will be used to develop the project or product when listing interface requirements. This will provide more guidance for developers and others.
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Identify parameters like cost and scheduling. These practical considerations should also be part of a requirements document.
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Work up a development plan. Along with the above information, a good requirements document will often include further instructions about development of the product. This can take one of a number of forms, and may require a bit of creativity.^{[5]
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Insert visuals. Graphic mockups of a product keep the project fresh and appealing to the eye, while providing more detail about how something will look.^{[6]
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Categorize and organize requirements. Find a way to neatly fit each of these categories of requirements into a single document.
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Write the requirements document. Utilize good document planning strategies in constructing something that reads well, where individual areas of the requirements document are easy to access.

Community Q&A

Question

How do you write a good requirement document?

Drew Hawkins1

Community Answer

While they can vary based on your needs, there are a few things you want to make sure you include in a requirement document. The requirements document will need to fully develop the context around a product and what it must look like to help developers implement their work. One way to do that is to get information for the requirements document from business leaders, engineers, developers, sales reps, customers or anyone else with important information about needs for product development. Explain any restrictions or constraints that can help guide the people working on the software or IT product. Additionally, a good requirements document will often include a development plan that contains further instructions about development of the product. This can take one of a number of forms, and may require a bit of creativity. But it should be specific to your product and your needs.
Question

What is a requirements definition document?

Drew Hawkins1

Community Answer

A requirements document specifies what a future software application or IT product might look like, and more importantly, how it will be used and how it needs to be built. It accomplishes this by various markets for product development, along with other essential data such as parameters and restrictions. One of the important elements of requirements is the system requirements, or how the product will interact with a given system for a workstation or network. Developers can use this information to craft a product that suits your needs. In addition to specs and parameters, a good requirements document also needs to be well organized and written. It should utilize good document planning strategies in constructing something that reads well, where individual areas of the requirements document are easy to access. That way, the developers know exactly what they need to do.
Question

How do you structure requirements?

Drew Hawkins1

Community Answer

You can choose a variety of structures, but the key is to be consistent. Remember that the goal is to create a comprehensive explanation of what is needed for a product. The developers or software engineers who use the document need to be able to completely understand what the system requirements are, which is how the product will need to interact with a given system for a workstation or network. The document also needs to be able to explain restrictions or constraints that will help further guide those who are working on the software or IT product. Stick to the same structure and organization throughout the document. If you suddenly change the layout and format, the folks using it might get confused. They may also not know how to clearly navigate the document so they can find what they need. By sticking to a consistent format, they'll be able to use it effectively.