How to write good requirements

Well apparently I don’t get to do this job any more and the new person isn’t very good at it.  So i am going to write out a few tips and pray that they learn something just by sitting “near” the Internet.  This discovery has made me very sad as this is one of those things that I am good at. 

  1. Requirements must be testable
  2. Requirmenets should be concise and clearly written, there should be no question as to what you mean
  3. Requirements should include error handling, no really
  4. Requirements should include all system functionality including system time outs and validation requirements
  5. You should include such items as log out, return and back button requirements
  6. Your terminology should be consistent and accurate, once again NO really this is important
  7. Use cases alone are not requirements

When you write requirements you need to stop and think like different users.  First like a really dumb user who’s AFRAID of the internet and then like a moderate user and then like a power user like me who doesn’t want to be bothered.  Once you find a happy medium write nice requirements.

This message was brought to you by your unhappy Systems Anlayst.

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