Requirements Analysis is the process of analyzing customer needs and transforming them into well-defined, system or process requirements. It has been in existence for nearly six decades and is an essential step in the software development life cycle. Requirements Analysis is a structured activity in which the analyst attempts to gain an understanding of the customer’s needs and the nature of the proposed system or process. The analyst examines topics such as the customer’s current environment, operational requirements, technologies available, system needs, processes used, the customer’s goals and objectives, and how the customer will measure system or process success.
The first step in Requirements Analysis is to study the customer needs and build a set of formal requirements. This step includes activities such as brainstorming with customers and team members, capturing customer goals into well-defined requirements, classifying requirements, reviewing requirements and gathering additional information from stakeholders and users.
The second step is to understand the customer’s business environment and how it affects the proposed system or process. This includes studying existing processes, personnel, structure, policies, and procedures. This information, gathered through documentation review, interviews, workshops and brainstorming sessions, is needed to determine if the proposed system or process will meet the customer’s needs.
The third step is identifying gaps between the proposed system or process and the customer’s needs. This includes an analysis of the customer’s operational environment, competitive market, technological opportunities, and processes used. This helps the analyst identify changes that may be needed, as well as areas in which the customer has unmet needs.
The fourth step is to evaluate customer requirements and design a solution that meets those needs. This step includes activities such as creating a solution approach, constructing a functional design and a detailed requirements document.
Finally, the analyst must review the requirements and design with customers and stakeholders to ensure they are in agreement with the proposed system or process. This step also includes obtaining customer agreement on a timeline, budget, and project management approach.
Requirements Analysis is an important process in the development of any system or process. It helps ensure that customer needs are identified, analyzed, and achieved. Additionally, it helps the analyst create a detailed requirements document, which is essential for successful project completion.
