Easy but not simple


The ability to discover and record requirements is a core skill for a business analyst.


In business analysis, requirements typically refer to desired features and operational characteristics of an IT system.


It wraps itself around and between the BA’s other skills. For example, requirements may be discovered when analysing business processes, data and business rules.


To be successful with this, business analysts will need to use all of their so called, 'soft skills' to engage and communicate with stakeholders. Soft skills include practical techniques such as facilitation and interviewing, as well as less tangible things such as intuition.




Articles about requirements

Word, 'Requirements' above 3 panels labelled, Processes, Data and Rules, respectively. Link to preview of Capiro course, BCS Foundation Certificate in Business Analysis.

Writing functional requirements is one of the main tasks, often the main task, of a business analyst. Traditionally it has often not been done very well. This article explores five tried and tested approaches to improving things. This article follow on from the two …

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Problem, Analysis and Solution. Before creating a requirement it is essential to define the problem. Defining a requirement involves an analysis of the problem. Implementing the requirement provides a solution.

This article answers the frequently asked question, 'What is a functional requirement?' The point of view taken in the post is that of a business analyst, agile team member, or similar role. What is a functional requirement? Functional requirements describe the functions …

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Non functional image

Non-functional requirements sometimes present a challenge to business analysts, starting with the question, What is a non-functional requirement? This article answers that. What is a requirement? A requirement in business analysis is a capability needed by the users of a …

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Writing functional requirements as use cases. The image shows a use diagram for a hotel reception system.

'What is a use case - An agile approach to developing use cases' is a free mini course for business analysts and others who use, or are considering using, use cases to define requirements. The course describes, Access the course immediately Launch Use case mini …

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To successfully communicate requirements to interested parties it's important that they all get the same message. We start by looking at a children's game to demonstrate what can go wrong when communicating requirements. Chinese Whispers when communicating …

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