Writing Better Requirements

-- Instruction on how to organize requirements into a single message that developers can understand.

-- Supported with practical exercises that facilitate the learning process.

Writing Better Requirements specifically focuses on how to uncover and clearly express requirements for software and systems. Loosely defined, requirements represent the required uses of a system as defined by the ultimate end user. By gathering requirements, systems builders can better learn what features need to be included, before design and coding begin. The authors write from the perspective that users own requirements, therefore users must be able to understand them. This elementary perspective yields a straightforward, easily-digested approach. Requirements are treated as simple pieces of text, supported by operational scenarios and informal diagrams. Each chapter in this book introduces a stage in the requirements process. Key terms are defined informally, explained thoroughly, and illustrated with examples. Each chapter is also supported by exercises that help the reader hone their requirements writing skills.