{"id":53972,"date":"2021-06-09T03:00:07","date_gmt":"2021-06-09T10:00:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.jamasoftware.com\/?p=53972"},"modified":"2026-07-30T09:50:45","modified_gmt":"2026-07-30T16:50:45","slug":"what-is-requirements-gathering-a-process-guide-for-product-teams","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.jamasoftware.com\/legacy\/blog\/what-is-requirements-gathering\/","title":{"rendered":"What is Requirements Gathering? A Process Guide for Product Teams"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-54059\" src=\"https:\/\/www.jamasoftware.com\/media\/2021\/06\/2021-06-09_requirments-gathering-for-product-teams-1024x512-1.jpg\" alt=\"Requirements Gathering\" width=\"1024\" height=\"512\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.jamasoftware.com\/legacy\/media\/2021\/06\/2021-06-09_requirments-gathering-for-product-teams-1024x512-1.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.jamasoftware.com\/legacy\/media\/2021\/06\/2021-06-09_requirments-gathering-for-product-teams-1024x512-1-300x150.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Requirements gathering is the process of understanding what you are trying to build and why you are building it. <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Requirements gathering is often regarded as a part of developing software applications or\u00a0of\u00a0cyber-physical systems\u00a0like\u00a0aircraft, spacecraft, and automobiles (where specifications cover both software and hardware). It can, however, be\u00a0applied to any product or project, from designing a new sailboat to building a patio deck to remodeling a bathroom.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 aria-level=\"2\"><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Three Main Subprocesses\u00a0of Requirements Gathering<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:40,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The\u00a0key ingredients\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0requirements gathering\u00a0process\u00a0are\u00a0three overlapping\u00a0subprocesses: requirements elicitation, requirements documentation, and requirements understanding.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Requirements\u00a0elicitation<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0is the process of\u00a0asking for and\u00a0collecting\u00a0top-level requirements from\u00a0all\u00a0relevant stakeholders.\u00a0Effort should be made to account for the needs of customers,\u00a0their\u00a0users,\u00a0the\u00a0internal stakeholders within your own company, and\u00a0your key\u00a0suppliers.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Requirements\u00a0documentation<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0organizes the input from the\u00a0requirements elicitation\u00a0process into\u00a0whatever format is\u00a0appropriate for your organization.\u00a0This formatting may include:<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"1\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">User stories\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"1\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Functional decompositions (especially\u00a0for complex\u00a0cyber-physical\u00a0systems)<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"1\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Feature\u00a0descriptions<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">These will be collected in a top-level requirements specification like a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jamasoftware.com\/blog\/how-to-write-an-effective-product-requirements-document?utm_campaign=related+blog\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">product requirements document (PRD)<\/a> or a system specification. The purpose of this\u00a0top-level specification\u00a0is to\u00a0make those stories\u00a0and descriptions\u00a0available to all members of the project team.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Requirements\u00a0confirmation<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0is the process of making sure all stakeholders and team members have a common understanding\u00a0of\u00a0what you&#8217;re trying to build. This involves reviewing and refining the requirements. It will\u00a0very likely\u00a0require additional elicitation\u00a0and\u00a0revision of the\u00a0documentation\u00a0as well.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 aria-level=\"2\"><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">What are the Benefits of Requirements Gathering?<\/span><\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Beyond the obvious advantage of having requirements with which to\u00a0work,\u00a0a\u00a0good requirements\u00a0gathering process offers the following benefits:<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\"><strong>Greatly improves the chances that customers and users will get what they wanted.<\/strong> Stakeholders often have difficulty putting into words exactly what it is that they\u00a0need. You\u2019re going to have to help them, and it\u2019s going to take some digging.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:-90,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\"><strong>Decreases the chances of a failed project.<\/strong>\u00a0A\u00a0frequently heard\u00a0lament following unsuccessful projects\u00a0is, \u201cThe requirements weren\u2019t clear.\u201d<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\"><strong>Reduces\u00a0the overall cost of the project\u00a0by catching requirements problems before development begins.\u00a0<\/strong>Requirements that are\u00a0ambiguous or\u00a0not fully understood\u00a0often\u00a0result in\u00a0costly scrap and rework.\u00a0Numerous studies have shown that the cost of fixing requirements errors rises exponentially over subsequent phases of development.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<h5><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\">RELATED POST: <span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.jamasoftware.com\/blog\/requirements-management-software\/?utm_campaign=related+blog\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Requirements Management Tools and Software<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/h5>\n<hr \/>\n<h4 aria-level=\"2\"><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Some Key Challenges of Requirements Gathering<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:40,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">One of the reasons\u00a0projects fail due to poor requirements is this: requirements gathering isn\u2019t easy. Here are some of the\u00a0main challenges:<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4 aria-level=\"3\"><em><strong>Finding All the Right Stakeholders\u00a0<\/strong><\/em><\/h4>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Projects often have &#8220;hidden&#8221; stakeholders.\u00a0It\u2019s important to uncover them.\u00a0The group you canvas should include more than just\u00a0the obvious decision-makers.\u00a0Don\u2019t forget\u00a0to talk to customer support reps, maintenance technicians,\u00a0and others who come into\u00a0direct\u00a0contact with\u00a0customers.\u00a0\u00a0They\u00a0are\u00a0themselves, in effect, users\u00a0of your existing products.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&#8220;Disgruntled users who are forced to use a system every day that was designed without their input are a key ingredient for a failed project,&#8221;\u00a0says\u00a0Jordan Hirsch,\u00a0Director of Innovation\u00a0at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.phase2technology.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Phase2 Technology<\/a>.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4 aria-level=\"3\"><strong><i>Understanding What Stakeholders Really Want<\/i>\u00a0<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Your stakeholders may not have a clear vision of what they want.\u00a0They may not be able to tell you a complete story. They may have\u00a0hidden pain points or desires, unstated goals, or assumptions. You\u2019re going to have to ask a lot of probing questions\u00a0and compare answers.\u00a0You\u2019re also going to have to go through several iterations of your process\u00a0to arrive at a consensus.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4 aria-level=\"3\"><strong><i>Planning for Change<\/i>\u00a0<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Throughout\u00a0the\u00a0requirements gathering process, you\u2019re going to\u00a0come across\u00a0questions you forgot to\u00a0ask\u00a0and\u00a0things stakeholders forgot\u00a0to\u00a0tell you. You\u2019ll come up against shifting priorities\u00a0and problems encountered during implementation.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">It\u2019s wise to have a plan\u00a0for\u00a0dealing\u00a0with\u00a0those changes.\u00a0You\u2019ll need to allow time for addressing problems, documenting new requirements,\u00a0and\u00a0conducting additional reviews.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h5><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\">RELATED POST: <span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.jamasoftware.com\/blog\/requirements-management-functional-requirement-vs-non-functional-requirements\/?utm_campaign=related+blog\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Nonfunctional Requirements vs. Functional Requirements \u2013 What&#8217;s the difference?\u00a0<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/h5>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 aria-level=\"2\"><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">A 6-Step Requirements Gathering Process<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:40,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The requirements gathering process consists of six steps. Three of those (steps three through five\u2014the bulk of the process) we\u2019ve already mentioned as the key subprocesses of requirements gathering. The full six steps are:<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"2\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Identify the relevant stakeholders<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"2\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Establish project goals and objectives<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"2\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"3\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Elicit requirements from stakeholders<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"2\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"4\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Document the requirements<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"2\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"5\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Confirm the requirements<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"2\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"5\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Prioritize the requirements<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">It is important to note that\u00a0while\u00a0these\u00a0steps\u00a0are typically initiated\u00a0in the order listed,\u00a0there is a great deal of overlap\u00a0and iteration among them. It may, therefore, be better to think of them as subprocesses rather than steps\u00a0as we look at each one individually.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4 aria-level=\"3\"><i><span data-contrast=\"none\">Identify the Relevant Stakeholders<\/span><\/i><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:40,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Find\u00a0qualified representatives from each\u00a0relevant stakeholder group. Depending on your project,\u00a0these\u00a0may\u00a0include:<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"3\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Customers stakeholders<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"3\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Decision-makers<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"3\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Users<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:1170,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"3\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">System administrators<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:1170,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"3\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Other impacted customer\u00a0departments<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:1170,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"3\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Internal stakeholders<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"3\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Executives<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:1170,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"3\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Engineering<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:1170,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"3\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Marketing<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:1170,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"3\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Sales<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:1170,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"3\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Customer support\u00a0(including on-site maintenance teams, if applicable)<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:1170,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"3\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Key suppliers<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"3\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Distributers and other partners<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Remember to search for \u201chidden stakeholders.\u201d\u00a0Ask probing questions in early meetings, before you begin eliciting requirements.\u00a0Identify all stakeholder groups who need to be involved.\u00a0Ideally, you want input from every group<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">who has skin in the game; give\u00a0them all\u00a0the opportunity to\u00a0state\u00a0their needs.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4 aria-level=\"3\"><i><span data-contrast=\"none\">Establish Project Goals and Objectives<\/span><\/i><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:40,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">What are you trying to achieve\u00a0with this new product or project?\u00a0What are the overall outcomes your customers want from the product? What are your company\u2019s business goals?\u00a0What are the actionable, measurable objectives\u00a0you need to achieve to realize those goals and outcomes?\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Write them down. State them\u00a0clearly,\u00a0and\u00a0get\u00a0all\u00a0your\u00a0stakeholders to sign off on them.\u00a0Your goals and objectives will act as a framework for your decision-making.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Each\u00a0requirement\u00a0you write\u00a0should\u00a0help\u00a0satisfy a project objective and accomplish a goal.\u00a0If it doesn\u2019t,\u00a0you\u00a0should either discard\u00a0it\u00a0or made\u00a0it\u00a0a\u00a0candidate for\u00a0a\u00a0future release.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4 aria-level=\"3\"><i><span data-contrast=\"none\">Elicit Requirements From Your Stakeholders<\/span><\/i><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:40,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">This is the first of three\u00a0requirements gathering subprocesses which are highly iterative\u00a0and overlapping.\u00a0Even in an agile environment, you are likely to go through several cycles of elicitation, documentation,\u00a0and\u00a0review\/confirmation before you achieve a\u00a0workable\u00a0specification to begin development.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Elicitation\u00a0can be performed\u00a0in several ways. Time-tested techniques include\u00a0surveys, questionnaires,\u00a0and interviews.\u00a0Interviews\u00a0and follow-up meetings\u00a0will be\u00a0prevalent during later iterations.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Be sure to listen actively during interviews.\u00a0Ask probing questions and take copious notes.\u00a0Afterward, organize your notes and follow up as necessary.\u00a0Document each\u00a0exercise\u00a0or\u00a0encounter thoroughly.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h5><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\">RELATED POST: <span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.jamasoftware.com\/blog\/what-is-requirements-traceability-and-why-does-it-matter-for-product-teams\/?utm_campaign=related+blog\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">What is Requirements Traceability and Why Does it Matter for Product Teams?<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/h5>\n<hr \/>\n<h4 aria-level=\"3\"><i><span data-contrast=\"none\">Document the Requirements<\/span><\/i><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:40,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">As soon as requirements begin to emerge from your elicitation process,\u00a0begin documenting them.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Write them down and collect them in whatever format\u00a0your organization has agreed upon. That could\u00a0be\u00a0a product requirements document (PRD)\u00a0of your\u00a0company\u2019s\u00a0design, a\u00a0government-mandated\u00a0system requirements specification,\u00a0a\u00a0vendor-supplied\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.jamasoftware.com\/solutions\/requirements-management\/?utm_campaign=related+blog\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">requirements management\u00a0(RM)\u00a0<\/a>tool\u00a0like Jama Connect,\u00a0a spreadsheet, a database,\u00a0or any other\u00a0appropriate\u00a0repository\u00a0your entire team can access.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">What\u2019s most important is\u00a0that the requirements documentation\u2026\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"5\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Can\u00a0be\u00a0easily navigated and understood\u00a0by your team<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"5\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Is available\u00a0for review\u00a0by\u00a0all stakeholders\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"5\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"3\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Provides a facility for traceability\u00a0to\u00a0other documentation.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Templates are extremely useful, both for the\u00a0specification as a whole and for individual requirements.\u00a0Solid, battle-tested templates\u00a0and\u00a0standardized formats\u00a0help provide clarity and aid navigation.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4 aria-level=\"3\"><i><span data-contrast=\"none\">Confirm the Requirements<\/span><\/i><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:40,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Review\u00a0the\u00a0requirements\u00a0with all stakeholders.\u00a0Make sure the\u00a0requirements\u00a0clearly capture what was intended\u00a0and that\u00a0all parties have a common understanding of each\u00a0of them. If you find\u00a0any ambiguity\u00a0in a requirement, revise it.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">You should also validate your requirements\u00a0through prototyping\u00a0and testing,\u00a0where possible.\u00a0Modern prototyping tools\u00a0make it fast and easy to create a working model of your specification. You can then use that model to perform\u00a0feasibility, usability,\u00a0and product concept testing.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Get stakeholder sign-off on individual requirements as\u00a0you get them nailed down. Do the same for\u00a0the\u00a0specification\u00a0as a whole during a final review.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4 aria-level=\"3\"><i><span data-contrast=\"none\">Prioritize the Requirements<\/span><\/i><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:40,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Most engineering development programs run into unexpected challenges along the way.\u00a0Unanticipated obstacles are encountered.\u00a0Schedules\u00a0slip. Priorities change.\u00a0It\u2019s important to be able to\u00a0adapt to those challenges and changes.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">That\u2019s why\u00a0it is\u00a0crucial\u00a0to prioritize your requirements\u00a0based on\u00a0how each will impact your goals and objectives for your release.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Many product managers prioritize features by tagging them with labels, such as \u201cmust have,\u201d \u201chigh want,\u201d and \u201cnice to have.\u201d But it\u2019s also important to rank order each requirement within those categories. There are two reasons for this.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The first is time to market. Schedules often slip. When they do, you may need to trim features and requirements to meet your release date. You don\u2019t want your team implementing the easiest requirements first only to find that there\u2019s not enough time to complete all your must-haves.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The second reason is that requirements evolve. During implementation, you\u2019re likely to discover new needs. Some may be critically important and supersede existing requirements in terms of priority. You need to know where those new requirements fit in your pecking order. If you don&#8217;t, less important factors will determine what gets implemented first, which may have\u00a0an adverse\u00a0impact on your product\u2019s success.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h5><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\">RELATED POST: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jamasoftware.com\/blog\/11-requirements-gathering-techniques-for-agile-product-teams\/?utm_campaign=related+blog\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Requirements Gathering Techniques for Agile Product Teams<\/a><\/span><\/h5>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 aria-level=\"2\"><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Common Requirements Gathering Pitfalls<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:40,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<h4 aria-level=\"3\"><i><span data-contrast=\"none\">Making Assumptions About What You&#8217;ve Heard<\/span><\/i><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:40,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Beware of simple, broad requirements.\u00a0Don&#8217;t assume you know exactly what they mean.\u00a0Above all, don&#8217;t assume all your stakeholders interpret those requirements in the same way.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Broad\u00a0statements\u00a0like,\u00a0\u201cThe site shall have a blog\u201d\u00a0can mask a host of underlying assumptions. Scrutinize\u00a0such\u00a0requirements.\u00a0Ask lots of questions. How will posts be displayed?\u00a0How should authors be managed?\u00a0How about comments, categories, tagging?\u00a0Should there be an RSS feed?&#8230; and so forth.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Cross-check\u00a0the answers you receive.\u00a0Then come up\u00a0with\u00a0a set of\u00a0more specific, verifiable requirements\u00a0that\u00a0everyone can agree\u00a0upon.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4 aria-level=\"3\"><i><span data-contrast=\"none\">Focusing on HOW Instead of WHAT<\/span><\/i><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:40,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Requirements address two things. The first is\u00a0WHAT\u00a0the\u00a0product must do\u00a0(the\u00a0functional requirements).\u00a0The second is\u00a0the\u00a0<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">necessary<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">constraints<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0on how the product does what it does\u00a0(the\u00a0non-functional requirements).<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Requirements should not address\u00a0HOW\u00a0the product does what it has to do.\u00a0In other words, your specification should be as\u00a0<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">implementation-agnostic<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0as possible, within the constraints of the non-functional requirements.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">During requirements elicitation,\u00a0try not to\u00a0think\u00a0about how\u00a0you&#8217;re going to implement the product.\u00a0Forget about\u00a0the latest\u00a0technology\u00a0engineering is obsessed with,\u00a0your\u00a0software team\u2019s\u00a0<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">tool du jour<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">,\u00a0and\u00a0any\u00a0features\u00a0you\u00a0think\u00a0are\u00a0missing from the product baseline.\u00a0Focus\u00a0instead\u00a0on your stakeholders\u2019\u00a0needs.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Listen to what your stakeholders are saying\u00a0first.\u00a0Then gather, review\u00a0and refine your requirements.\u00a0Finally, once you\u2019ve\u00a0done\u00a0all that,\u00a0find the gaps in your baseline, and determine which\u00a0technologies will deliver what your\u00a0customers and\u00a0stakeholders\u00a0really\u00a0want.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4 aria-level=\"3\"><i><span data-contrast=\"none\">Insufficient Consultation With Stakeholders<\/span><\/i><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:40,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Perhaps the biggest mistake\u00a0systems engineers and product managers make in gathering\u00a0requirements is failing to\u00a0adequately consult with\u00a0their\u00a0stakeholders.\u00a0Stakeholder consultation has several facets.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">First, it is critically important that you\u00a0drill down\u00a0(and follow up)\u00a0with each stakeholder group\u00a0to fully understand\u00a0their\u00a0needs.\u00a0Failure to do so is one of the leading causes of\u00a0requirements failures.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">A second important facet is\u00a0transparency.\u00a0Clean up\u00a0your\u00a0notes\u00a0and share them after every interview, meeting,\u00a0and survey. The easiest way to do this is\u00a0through a\u00a0modern RM tool\u00a0to which all\u00a0team members have\u00a0access.\u00a0Tools like Jama Connect\u00a0allow you to attach notes to the requirements themselves\u00a0for traceability purposes.\u00a0This greatly increases the speed of the process and\u00a0simplifies\u00a0the review task.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The third\u00a0potential\u00a0pitfall in this\u00a0area is\u00a0insufficient review.\u00a0Be sure to hold\u00a0reviews\u00a0where stakeholders can\u00a0review the requirements, provide feedback, voice objections, and defend their positions.\u00a0Open discussions\u00a0involving all concerned stakeholders can\u00a0help uncover and correct requirements flaws\u00a0and achieve consensus.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Finally,\u00a0get all your stakeholders to sign off on the requirements to acknowledge that they understand them\u00a0and that the requirements are sufficient for them to do their jobs. Be sure to make it clear to\u00a0the\u00a0stakeholder what\u00a0his or her\u00a0signature means.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 aria-level=\"2\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Requirements Gathering for Agile Development<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:40,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">What&#8217;s different about requirements gathering for Agile?<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">First off, agile teams expect to move fast. So,\u00a0their requirements management solutions must meet\u00a0their\u00a0developers\u2019 need for speed.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Transparency is another priority.\u00a0Requirements\u00a0documentation\u00a0must be constantly up-to-date, easily annotated, and provide clear\u00a0traceability.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Both of these needs make Word documents and Excel spreadsheets\u00a0poor RM choices for agile teams.\u00a0Their\u00a0static\u00a0nature\u00a0makes them\u00a0tedious to update and\u00a0cumbersome to\u00a0share.\u00a0Those drawbacks make it difficult to\u00a0give everyone\u00a0fast\u00a0access to the latest configuration and\u00a0keep\u00a0them all\u00a0on the same page.\u00a0Plus,\u00a0docs and spreadsheets\u00a0don\u2019t provide native features for annotation and traceability.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">RM products like Jama Connect help Agile teams streamline requirements gathering and collaboratively manage requirements in real-time throughout the ALM product development process.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Are you working in an Agile development environment?<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">See how Jama Connect can streamline requirements gathering and management by <a href=\"https:\/\/resources.jamasoftware.com\/datasheet\/jama-connect\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">downloading our datasheet<\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><!-- Uberflip Embedded Hub Widget --><\/p>\n<div id=\"UfEmbeddedHub1620772408403\"><\/div>\n<p><script>\n  window._ufHubConfig = window._ufHubConfig || [];\n  window._ufHubConfig.push({\n    'containers':{'app':'#UfEmbeddedHub1620772408403'},\n    'collection': '4006819',\n    'openLink':function(url){\n      window.top.location.href=url;\n    },\n    'lazyloader':{\n      'itemDisplayLimit':20,\n      'maxTilesPerRow':0,\n      'maxItemsTotal': 3\n    },\n    'tileSize': 'small',\n    'enablePageTracking':false,\n    'baseUrl': 'https:\/\/resources.jamasoftware.com\/',\n    'filesUrl': 'https:\/\/resources.jamasoftware.com\/',\n    'generatedAtUTC': '2021-05-11 22:33:16',\n  });\n  <\/script><\/p>\n<p><script>(function(d,t,u) {\n    function load(){\n      var s=d.createElement(t);s.src=u;d.body.appendChild(s);\n    }\n    if (window.addEventListener) {\n      window.addEventListener('load',load,false);\n    }\n    else if (window.attachEvent) {\n      window.attachEvent('onload',load);\n    }\n    else{\n      window.onload=load;\n    }\n  }(document,'script','https:\/\/resources.jamasoftware.com\/hubsFront\/embed_collection'));\n  <\/script><br \/>\n<!-- \/End Uberflip Embedded Hub Widget --><\/p>\n<input class=\"fooboxshare_post_id\" type=\"hidden\" value=\"53972\"\/>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Requirements gathering is the process of understanding what you are trying to build and why you are building it. Requirements gathering is often regarded as a part of developing software applications or\u00a0of\u00a0cyber-physical systems\u00a0like\u00a0aircraft, spacecraft, and automobiles (where specifications cover both software and hardware). It can, however, be\u00a0applied to any product or project, from designing a [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":54059,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[50],"tags":[651,439,128,616],"industry":[],"class_list":["post-53972","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-requirements-management","tag-eliciting-requirements","tag-requirements-gathering","tag-requirements-management","tag-strategic-seo-content-project"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v28.1 (Yoast SEO v28.1) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>What is Requirements Gathering? - Jama Software<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"In this post, we we discuss why requirements gathering is critical to product development and the overall requirements management process.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"noindex, nofollow\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"What is Requirements Gathering? 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