“If the purpose is to create one of the best books on requirements yet written, the authors have succeeded.”

—Capers Jones

Software can solve almost any problem. The trick is knowing what the problem is. With about half of all software errors originating in the requirements activity, it is clear that a better understanding of the problem is needed.

Getting the requirements right is crucial if we are to build systems that best meet our needs. We know, beyond doubt, that the right requirements produce an end result that is as innovative and beneficial as it can be, and that system development is both effective and efficient.

Mastering the Requirements Process: Getting Requirements Right, Third Edition, sets out an industry-proven process for gathering and verifying requirements, regardless of whether you work in a traditional or agile development environment. In this sweeping update of the bestselling guide, the authors show how to discover precisely what the customer wants and needs, in the most efficient manner possible.

Features include

The Volere requirements process for discovering requirements, for use with both traditional and iterative environments
A specification template that can be used as the basis for your own requirements specifications
Formality guides that help you funnel your efforts into only the requirements work needed for your particular development environment and project
How to make requirements testable using fit criteria
Checklists to help identify stakeholders, users, non-functional requirements, and more
Methods for reusing requirements and requirements patterns

New features include

Strategy guides for different environments, including outsourcing
Strategies for gathering and implementing requirements for iterative releases
“Thinking above the line” to find the real problem
How to move from requirements to finding the right solution
The Brown Cow model for clearer viewpoints of the system
Using story cards as requirements
Using the Volere Knowledge Model to help record and communicate requirements
Fundamental truths about requirements and system development

Mastering the Requirements Process - sidottu, Englanti, 2012