Definition of Requirements
How we know what to do
A successful project is a direct result of the process in which the project is defined by. The cost of a project in monetary value and labor value is a direct result of planning. Each project is defined by the requirements set forth by those who develop the conceptual basis for the project.
Requirements are essentially the "what" of the project. Only when the "what" is fully understood can you proceed with the "how" and "when". Understanding requirements is key to developing a time schedule for project completion, creating Use Cases which define the "how" of the project, and developing the architecture which will meet your business needs. iC Tek Solutions will work with your company to define each and every requirement at the beginning of the project in order to prevent overlooked requirements from delaying the project. While there are many types of requirements, the following are some examples which tend to be relevant to the majority of IT projects:
- Functional Requirements
Each project has a set of requirements which determine how an application or website will perform. These requirements are usually written from the prospective of you, the owner of the application. Functional Requirements can be used to develop Use Cases which in turn can be used to develop an overall architecture for your application or website.
- External Interface Requirements
Many times, especially in the field of eCommerce, external software or devices are needed to efficiently run a website. For example, you may have a merchant account in which a gateway company, such as Authorize.Net interfaces with. It is then the job of the website developer to interface with the gateway company's servers to process your payment. The interface with the payment gateway is an example of an external interface requirement.
- Non-Functional Requirements
There are some requirements which do not really define how the system will work, but are still necessary. For example, there may be security requirements such as installing an SSL Certificate or bandwidth concerns to ensure the website can handle the necessary amount of daily traffic.