6/8/25About 219 words
Definition
- Requirement engineering is the process of establishing
- the services that the customer requires from a system.
- the constraints under which it operates and is deployed.
- The IEEE Standard Glossary of Software Engineering Terminology defines a requirement as: A condition or capability needed by a user to solve a problem or achieve an objective.
- The requirements for a system are the descriptions of what the system should do the services and the constraints.
Properties
- Requirements describe the necessary functions and features of the system, which includes
- Performance
- Schedule
- Cost
- Other Characteristics (e.g. lifecycle properties)
- Requirements are often organized hierarchically.
- At a high level requirements focus on what should be achieved, not how to achieve it.
- Requirements are specified at every level, from the overall system to each hardware and software component.
- Requirements may range from a high-level abstract statement of a service or of a system constraint to a detailed mathematical functional specification.
- Requirement is inevitable as it may serve a dual function.
- Requirements may be the basis for a bid for a contract, therefore must be open to interpretation.
- Requirements may be the basis for the contract itself, therefore must be defined in detail.