Requirements Definition
One of the keys to a successful system selection and integration
effort is the definition of requirements.
Requirements are carried through a project from the beginning to the
end. They are used for evaluating, selecting, designing,
configuring, testing, and accepting a solution.
Our professionals understand the importance of solid requirements and
work with our clients to define requirements that normally fit into one
of the following categories:
- Business Requirements: These typically focus
on high level aspects of a business (e.g., number of
employees, anticipated revenue growth, single or multiple product
lines).
- Organizational Requirements: These
typically focus on the "people" aspects of the business (e.g.,
number of users, remote users, security levels).
- Functional Requirements: These typically
focus on required functionality by process (e.g., in the customer
service process the system may be required to have functionality to
support searches by customer name and/or phone number)
- Technical Requirements: These typically
focus on desired technologies, support, etc. (e.g., web-based
solution, hosted solution, strong technical support)
Our approach to defining requirements takes into
consideration baseline documentation obtained at the start of the
project; knowledge obtained through the documentation of key client
processes and interviews with key client personnel; and our experience
with similiar selection and integration efforts.
We work with our clients to capture requirements and
define a comprehensive list of standard requirements, critical business
requirements, and requirements that address where a business is highly
specialized or unique. We also help define system requirements and
vendor requirements (e.g., vendor stability, maintenance approach,
implementation timeline).
Once compiled, we work closely with our clients to prioritize the
requirements and define any "showstoppers" or "must have" requirements.
Once complete, our clients have defined requirements that can be
leveraged throughout the selection and integration lifecycle.