Requirements and Types
Requirements and Types
Software requirements are typically divided into two main categories: functional
requirements and non-functional requirements.
1. Functional Requirements
Functional requirements specify what the system should do—essentially, the
features and operations that enable users to complete tasks. They describe the
system’s expected behaviors and functionalities. Key aspects of functional
requirements include:
User Interactions: Tasks users should be able to perform, like logging in,
searching for products, or uploading files.
System Features: Core functions the system provides, such as data
processing, real-time updates, or payment processing.
Business Logic: Rules and procedures the system should follow, such as
discount application, validation rules, or workflow steps.
Data Handling: How the system handles data input, storage, retrieval,
modification, and deletion.
Example: For an online library system:
Users should be able to search for books by title, author, or genre.
The system should allow users to reserve books and check due dates.
The system should validate user input to prevent invalid searches or
duplicate reservations.
2. Non-Functional Requirements
Non-functional requirements, also known as quality attributes, describe how the
system performs its functions rather than the functions themselves. These
requirements affect the user experience and the system's technical
characteristics.
Key aspects of non-functional requirements include:
Performance: Specifies the system’s speed, response times, and
throughput under different load conditions.
Scalability: Ability of the system to handle increased loads, users, or data as
demand grows.
Usability: Ease of use, accessibility, and intuitiveness for end users.
Reliability and Availability: Requirements for system uptime, error rates,
and fault tolerance.
Security: Measures to protect data and access, such as encryption,
authentication, and authorization protocols.
Maintainability: Ability of the system to be easily updated, fixed, or
extended over time.
Compliance: Adherence to industry standards, regulations, or legal
requirements.
Example: For a banking app:
The app should load account information within 2 seconds.
It should handle 10,000 simultaneous users without performance
degradation.
It must comply with security standards for financial data and be accessible
to users with disabilities.
3. System Requirements (Technical Requirements)
These include the hardware, software, and infrastructure requirements for
deploying and running the system.
Hardware Requirements: Specifications for servers, processors, memory,
and storage.
Software Requirements: Operating systems, databases, libraries,
frameworks, and third-party tools.
Network Requirements: Internet bandwidth, firewall configurations, and
VPNs for secure access.
Example: For a web-based CRM system:
Requires at least 16 GB of RAM on the server.
Runs on Windows Server 2019 and Microsoft SQL Server.
Needs a minimum bandwidth of 100 Mbps for optimal performance.
4. Requirements Documentation
A well-defined requirements document typically includes:
User Stories or Use Cases: Scenarios describing how users will interact with
the system.
Requirements Specification: Detailed descriptions of both functional and
non-functional requirements.
Acceptance Criteria: Conditions that define when a requirement is met and
the system is ready for release.
Mockups or Prototypes: Visual representations of the user interface or
workflows.