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Requirement Gathering

Mastering the art and science of capturing complete, accurate project requirements that form the foundation for successful delivery.

Overview​

Requirement gathering is the systematic process of discovering, documenting, analyzing, and validating all project requirements. It's the bridge between client vision and project reality.

Why It Matters:

  • Prevents scope creep - Clear boundaries from the start
  • Enables accurate estimation - Know what you're building
  • Reduces rework - Get it right the first time
  • Manages expectations - Everyone aligned on deliverables
  • Facilitates communication - Single source of truth
  • Ensures success - Clear criteria for project completion

When: After initial consultation approval, before detailed proposal
Duration: 1-4 hours (varies by project complexity)
Format: Structured workshop with stakeholders
Success Rate: Thorough requirements reduce project issues by 70%


Requirements Gathering Process​

flowchart TD
A[Initial Consultation Complete] --> B[Prepare Requirements Workshop]
B --> C[Conduct Requirements Session]
C --> D[Document Requirements]
D --> E[Analyze & Prioritize]
E --> F[Validate with Client]
F --> G{Complete & Accurate?}
G -->|No| H[Identify Gaps]
H --> C
G -->|Yes| I[Internal Technical Review]
I --> J{Feasible?}
J -->|No| K[Discuss Alternatives]
K --> F
J -->|Yes| L[Create Detailed Proposal]
L --> M[Scope Definition]

style C fill:#4CAF50,color:#fff
style E fill:#2196F3,color:#fff
style L fill:#FF9800,color:#fff

Preparation Phase​

[!IMPORTANT] The 3P Rule: Proper Preparation Prevents Poor Performance. Invest 1-2 hours preparing for a requirements session to save 10-20 hours of rework later.

Pre-Session Checklist​

Review Previous Information:

  • Initial consultation notes and recordings
  • Client's current website/digital presence
  • Competitor analysis
  • Industry best practices
  • Similar projects you've delivered

Prepare Materials:

  • Requirements gathering template (customized)
  • Industry-specific questionnaire
  • Visual examples and references
  • Technical feasibility checklist
  • Screen sharing setup (if remote)
  • Recording tools (with permission)

Stakeholder Preparation:

  • Identify all key stakeholders
  • Send pre-session questionnaire
  • Request relevant documents
  • Schedule adequate time (no rushing)
  • Confirm all decision-makers present

Pre-Session Email Template​

Subject: Preparing for Requirements Workshop - [Project Name]

Hi [Name],

I'm looking forward to our requirements gathering session on
[Date] at [Time].

To make the most of our time, please:

1. **Review attached questionnaire** and think about your answers
2. **Gather any existing materials:**
- Brand guidelines, logos, content
- Access credentials (we'll need these later)
- Examples of websites/designs you like
- List of must-have features

3. **Invite key stakeholders** who should have input:
- Decision makers
- Content owners
- Technical contacts
- End users (if applicable)

4. **Block [X] hours** - We'll need focused time without
interruptions

I'll send a meeting link shortly. Looking forward to diving deep!

Best regards,
[Your Name]

Requirements Framework: The MoSCoW Method​

Prioritize requirements using MoSCoW methodology:

Must Have (Critical)​

Definition: Non-negotiable requirements without which the project fails
Examples:

  • Core functionality (e.g., e-commerce checkout)
  • Legal/compliance requirements
  • Critical integrations
  • Essential pages/content

Questions to Ask:

  • "What happens if we don't include this?"
  • "Can the project launch without this?"
  • "Is this legally/technically required?"

Should Have (Important)​

Definition: Important but not critical; can be delayed if necessary
Examples:

  • Enhanced features
  • Nice-to-have integrations
  • Additional content sections
  • Performance optimizations

Could Have (Nice-to-Have)​

Definition: Desirable but not necessary; include if time/budget allows
Examples:

  • Advanced animations
  • Extra features
  • Bonus content
  • Future enhancements

Won't Have (Out of Scope)​

Definition: Explicitly excluded from current project
Examples:

  • Features for future phases
  • Out-of-budget items
  • Technical impossibilities
  • Non-aligned requests

MoSCoW Prioritization Matrix:

graph TD
A[Feature Request] --> B{Critical for Launch?}
B -->|Yes| C[MUST HAVE]
B -->|No| D{Important for Success?}
D -->|Yes| E[SHOULD HAVE]
D -->|No| F{Adds Value?}
F -->|Yes| G[COULD HAVE]
F -->|No| H[WON'T HAVE]

style C fill:#F44336,color:#fff
style E fill:#FF9800,color:#fff
style G fill:#4CAF50,color:#fff
style H fill:#9E9E9E,color:#fff

Comprehensive Requirements Categories​

1. Business Requirements​

Strategic Objectives:

  • Primary business goals (revenue, growth, market share)
  • Target audience personas
  • Competitive positioning
  • Brand differentiation
  • Success metrics and KPIs

Organizational Context:

  • Company structure and size
  • Decision-making process
  • Budget authority
  • Timeline constraints
  • Resource availability

Stakeholder Analysis:

StakeholderRoleInfluenceRequirementsCommunication
CEODecision MakerHighROI, timelineMonthly updates
Marketing DirPrimary UserHighFeatures, contentWeekly sync
IT ManagerTechnical ContactMediumIntegration, securityAs needed
End UsersBeneficiariesLowUsabilityTesting phase

2. Functional Requirements​

Core Functionality:

  • User journeys and workflows
  • Feature specifications
  • Business logic rules
  • Data processing requirements
  • Integration points

User Stories Template:

As a [user type]
I want to [action]
So that [benefit]

Acceptance Criteria:
- [Criterion 1]
- [Criterion 2]
- [Criterion 3]

Example:

As a website visitor
I want to easily find and book services
So that I can quickly schedule appointments

Acceptance Criteria:
- Service catalog is visible on homepage
- Booking form is accessible within 2 clicks
- Confirmation email sent within 1 minute
- Calendar integration works correctly

3. Technical Requirements​

Platform & Technology:

  • CMS preference (WordPress, custom, headless)
  • Hosting requirements (shared, VPS, cloud)
  • Database needs
  • Programming languages/frameworks
  • Third-party services

Performance Requirements:

  • Page load time (< 3 seconds recommended)
  • Concurrent users supported
  • Uptime requirements (99.9% SLA)
  • Scalability needs
  • Bandwidth requirements

Security Requirements:

  • SSL certificate (mandatory)
  • Data encryption
  • User authentication
  • Payment security (PCI compliance)
  • GDPR/privacy compliance
  • Backup frequency
  • Disaster recovery

Technical Specifications Matrix:

RequirementSpecificationPriorityVerification Method
Page Speed< 3 sec load timeMust HavePageSpeed Insights
MobileResponsive designMust HaveDevice testing
SecuritySSL + HTTPSMust HaveSSL checker
Uptime99.9% availabilityShould HaveMonitoring tools
BackupDaily automatedMust HaveBackup logs

4. Design Requirements​

Brand Identity:

  • Logo variations and formats
  • Color palette (primary, secondary, accents)
  • Typography (headings, body, special)
  • Brand voice and tone
  • Visual style guidelines
  • Photography style

User Experience (UX):

  • User personas
  • User journeys
  • Information architecture
  • Navigation structure
  • Accessibility requirements (WCAG 2.1 AA)
  • Mobile-first vs desktop-first

User Interface (UI):

  • Layout preferences
  • Design inspirations (3-5 examples)
  • Design dislikes (what to avoid)
  • Animation preferences
  • Micro-interactions
  • Responsive breakpoints

Design Inspiration Analysis:

WebsiteWhat We LikeWhat to AvoidApplicable Elements
example1.comClean layoutToo minimalColor scheme, spacing
example2.comGreat animationsSlow loadingMicro-interactions
example3.comEasy navigationCluttered footerMenu structure

5. Content Requirements​

Content Inventory:

graph LR
A[Content Audit] --> B{Existing Content}
B -->|Available| C[Review Quality]
B -->|Missing| D[Create New]
C --> E{Usable?}
E -->|Yes| F[Migrate]
E -->|No| D
D --> G[Assign Creation]
F --> H[Optimize for SEO]
G --> H
H --> I[Final Content]

style C fill:#4CAF50,color:#fff
style D fill:#FF9800,color:#fff
style H fill:#2196F3,color:#fff

Content Categories:

Text Content:

  • Homepage copy
  • About Us
  • Service/Product descriptions
  • Team bios
  • Blog posts
  • FAQs
  • Legal pages (Privacy, Terms)

Visual Content:

  • Hero images
  • Product photos
  • Team photos
  • Icons and graphics
  • Infographics
  • Videos
  • Animations

Content Responsibility Matrix:

Content TypeQuantitySourceDeadlineOwner
Homepage copy1 pageClient providesWeek 2Marketing
Service descriptions5 pagesAgency writesWeek 3Copywriter
Product photos50 imagesClient providesWeek 1Client
Team photos10 imagesProfessional shootWeek 4HR
Blog posts10 articlesAgency writesOngoingContent team

6. Integration Requirements​

Third-Party Services:

  • Payment gateways (Stripe, PayPal, Razorpay)
  • Email marketing (Mailchimp, SendGrid)
  • CRM systems (Salesforce, HubSpot)
  • Analytics (Google Analytics, Mixpanel)
  • Social media platforms
  • Booking systems
  • Inventory management
  • Shipping providers

API Requirements:

  • API endpoints needed
  • Authentication methods
  • Data formats (JSON, XML)
  • Rate limits
  • Error handling
  • Documentation requirements

Integration Complexity Assessment:

IntegrationComplexityEstimated HoursDependenciesRisk Level
Payment GatewayMedium16-24API keys, testingMedium
Email MarketingLow4-8API keyLow
CRMHigh32-40Custom fields, mappingHigh
AnalyticsLow2-4Tracking codeLow

7. SEO & Marketing Requirements​

SEO Strategy:

  • Target keywords (primary, secondary, long-tail)
  • Geographic targeting
  • Competitor keywords
  • Content strategy
  • Link building approach
  • Local SEO (if applicable)

Marketing Tools:

  • Google Analytics 4
  • Google Search Console
  • Google Tag Manager
  • Facebook Pixel
  • LinkedIn Insight Tag
  • Conversion tracking
  • A/B testing tools

SEO Requirements Checklist:

  • Keyword research completed
  • On-page SEO strategy
  • Technical SEO requirements
  • Content SEO guidelines
  • Link building plan
  • Local SEO (if needed)
  • Analytics setup
  • Conversion tracking

Data Protection:

  • GDPR compliance (EU users)
  • CCPA compliance (California users)
  • Cookie consent
  • Privacy policy
  • Terms of service
  • Data retention policies

Industry-Specific:

  • HIPAA (healthcare)
  • PCI DSS (e-commerce)
  • SOC 2 (SaaS)
  • Industry certifications
  • Regulatory requirements

Accessibility:

  • WCAG 2.1 Level AA (recommended)
  • Screen reader compatibility
  • Keyboard navigation
  • Color contrast ratios
  • Alt text for images
  • Accessible forms

Requirements Gathering Techniques​

1. Structured Interviews​

One-on-One Sessions:

  • Deep dive with key stakeholders
  • Uncover hidden requirements
  • Build relationships
  • Confidential discussions

Interview Script Template:

Opening:
"Thank you for your time. I'd like to understand your
perspective on [project area]. There are no wrong answers -
I'm here to learn."

Discovery Questions:
1. "Walk me through your current process for [activity]"
2. "What works well? What doesn't?"
3. "If you could change one thing, what would it be?"
4. "What does success look like to you?"

Closing:
"Is there anything else I should know that I haven't asked about?"

2. Workshop Facilitation​

Group Sessions:

  • Collaborative requirement definition
  • Resolve conflicts early
  • Build consensus
  • Faster than individual interviews

Workshop Agenda (3 hours):

TimeActivityObjective
0:00-0:15IntroductionSet context, agenda
0:15-0:45Business goalsAlign on objectives
0:45-1:30Feature brainstormIdentify all requirements
1:30-1:45BreakRefresh
1:45-2:30PrioritizationMoSCoW method
2:30-2:50Technical discussionFeasibility check
2:50-3:00Next stepsAction items

3. Prototyping & Wireframing​

Visual Requirements:

  • Show, don't just tell
  • Reduce misunderstandings
  • Get concrete feedback
  • Iterate quickly

Prototyping Tools:

  • Figma (recommended)
  • Adobe XD
  • Sketch
  • Balsamiq (low-fidelity)
  • InVision

4. User Story Mapping​

Visualize User Journeys:

journey
title Website Visitor Journey
section Discovery
Find website via Google: 5: Visitor
Browse homepage: 4: Visitor
View services: 5: Visitor
section Engagement
Read case study: 4: Visitor
Check pricing: 3: Visitor
Compare options: 3: Visitor
section Conversion
Fill contact form: 2: Visitor
Submit inquiry: 3: Visitor
Receive confirmation: 5: Visitor

5. Document Analysis​

Review Existing Materials:

  • Current website analytics
  • User feedback/surveys
  • Support tickets
  • Competitor analysis
  • Industry reports
  • Internal documentation

Requirements Documentation Template​

# Project Requirements Document (PRD)

**Project:** [Project Name]
**Client:** [Company Name]
**Date:** [Date]
**Version:** 1.0
**Owner:** [Your Name]

---

## Executive Summary

[2-3 paragraph overview of the project, goals, and key requirements]

---

## Project Overview

### Business Context
- **Industry:** [Industry]
- **Company Size:** [Employees/Revenue]
- **Target Market:** [Description]
- **Competitive Position:** [Market position]

### Project Objectives
1. [Primary objective]
2. [Secondary objective]
3. [Tertiary objective]

### Success Criteria
| Metric | Current | Target | Timeline |
|--------|---------|--------|----------|
| [KPI 1] | [Value] | [Goal] | [Date] |
| [KPI 2] | [Value] | [Goal] | [Date] |

---

## Stakeholders

| Name | Role | Responsibility | Contact |
|------|------|----------------|---------|
| [Name] | Project Sponsor | Final approval | [Email] |
| [Name] | Primary Contact | Day-to-day | [Email] |
| [Name] | Technical Lead | Technical decisions | [Email] |

---

## Functional Requirements

### Must Have Features
1. **[Feature Name]**
- Description: [Details]
- User Story: As a [user], I want [action] so that [benefit]
- Acceptance Criteria:
- [Criterion 1]
- [Criterion 2]
- Priority: Must Have
- Estimated Effort: [Hours]

2. **[Feature Name]**
- [Same structure]

### Should Have Features
[Same structure as above]

### Could Have Features
[Same structure as above]

---

## Technical Requirements

### Platform
- **CMS:** [WordPress/Custom/Other]
- **Hosting:** [Provider/Type]
- **Database:** [MySQL/PostgreSQL/Other]
- **Languages:** [PHP/JavaScript/Other]

### Performance
- Page load time: < 3 seconds
- Mobile performance score: > 85
- Desktop performance score: > 90
- Uptime SLA: 99.9%

### Security
- SSL certificate: Required
- HTTPS: Enforced
- Backups: Daily automated
- Security monitoring: [Tool]
- Compliance: [GDPR/HIPAA/etc.]

### Browser Support
- Chrome (latest 2 versions)
- Firefox (latest 2 versions)
- Safari (latest 2 versions)
- Edge (latest 2 versions)
- Mobile browsers (iOS Safari, Chrome Mobile)

---

## Design Requirements

### Brand Guidelines
- Logo: [Formats needed]
- Colors:
- Primary: #[HEX]
- Secondary: #[HEX]
- Accent: #[HEX]
- Typography:
- Headings: [Font]
- Body: [Font]
- Style: [Modern/Classic/Minimal/etc.]

### Design Inspirations
1. [URL] - [What we like]
2. [URL] - [What we like]
3. [URL] - [What we like]

### Design Deliverables
- [ ] Homepage design (desktop & mobile)
- [ ] Internal page templates
- [ ] Design system documentation
- [ ] All source files

---

## Content Requirements

### Existing Content
- [ ] Text content: [Available/Needs creation]
- [ ] Images: [Available/Needs creation]
- [ ] Videos: [Available/Needs creation]
- [ ] Documents: [Available/Needs creation]

### Content to Create
| Content Type | Quantity | Owner | Deadline |
|--------------|----------|-------|----------|
| Homepage copy | 1 | Client | Week 2 |
| Service pages | 5 | Agency | Week 3 |
| Blog posts | 10 | Agency | Ongoing |
| Product photos | 50 | Client | Week 1 |

---

## Integration Requirements

| Service | Purpose | API Required | Complexity | Priority |
|---------|---------|--------------|------------|----------|
| [Service 1] | [Purpose] | Yes | Medium | Must Have |
| [Service 2] | [Purpose] | No | Low | Should Have |

---

## SEO & Marketing Requirements

### Target Keywords
- Primary: [Keyword 1], [Keyword 2]
- Secondary: [Keyword 3], [Keyword 4]
- Long-tail: [Keyword 5], [Keyword 6]

### Marketing Tools
- [ ] Google Analytics 4
- [ ] Google Search Console
- [ ] Google Tag Manager
- [ ] Facebook Pixel
- [ ] [Other tools]

---

## Timeline & Milestones

| Milestone | Deliverable | Target Date | Dependencies |
|-----------|-------------|-------------|--------------|
| Kickoff | Project plan | Week 1 | Contract signed |
| Design | Approved designs | Week 3 | Content outline |
| Development | Functional site | Week 7 | Design approved |
| Launch | Live website | Week 8 | Testing complete |

---

## Budget & Resources

**Total Budget:** β‚Ή[Amount]

**Resource Allocation:**
- Design: [Hours/β‚ΉAmount]
- Development: [Hours/β‚ΉAmount]
- Content: [Hours/β‚ΉAmount]
- Project Management: [Hours/β‚ΉAmount]

---

## Assumptions & Constraints

### Assumptions
- Client will provide content by Week 2
- All stakeholders available for reviews
- Existing hosting can support new site
- [Other assumptions]

### Constraints
- Fixed budget of β‚Ή[Amount]
- Hard deadline of [Date]
- Limited to [X] revision rounds
- [Other constraints]

---

## Risks & Mitigation

| Risk | Probability | Impact | Mitigation Strategy |
|------|-------------|--------|---------------------|
| Content delays | High | Medium | Build buffer time, offer writing services |
| Scope creep | Medium | High | Strict change control process |
| Technical issues | Low | High | Thorough testing, staging environment |

---

## Approval

**Client Approval:**

Signature: _________________ Date: _______
Name: [Name]
Title: [Title]

**ARUKZ DIGITAL Approval:**

Signature: _________________ Date: _______
Name: [Name]
Title: [Title]

---

**Next Steps:**
1. Client reviews and approves requirements
2. Internal technical feasibility review
3. Create detailed proposal
4. Schedule proposal presentation

Requirements Validation​

Validation Checklist​

Completeness:

  • All requirement categories covered
  • No ambiguous statements
  • All stakeholders consulted
  • Edge cases considered
  • Dependencies identified

Clarity:

  • Requirements are specific and measurable
  • Technical terms defined
  • Examples provided where needed
  • Acceptance criteria clear

Feasibility:

  • Technical feasibility verified
  • Budget alignment confirmed
  • Timeline realistic
  • Resources available
  • No conflicting requirements

Traceability:

  • Each requirement has unique ID
  • Source documented (who requested)
  • Priority assigned
  • Linked to business objective

Validation Meeting Agenda​

Duration: 60-90 minutes

  1. Review Process (10 min)

    • How we gathered requirements
    • Who was consulted
    • What we discovered
  2. Walk Through Requirements (40-60 min)

    • Section by section review
    • Clarify any ambiguities
    • Confirm priorities
    • Address concerns
  3. Gap Analysis (10-15 min)

    • Anything missing?
    • Any changes needed?
    • New insights?
  4. Next Steps (5-10 min)

    • Approval process
    • Timeline for proposal
    • Follow-up actions

Common Challenges & Solutions​

Challenge 1: Changing Requirements​

Problem: Client keeps adding/changing requirements

Root Causes:

  • Unclear initial requirements
  • New stakeholders involved
  • Evolving business needs
  • Competitive pressure

Solutions:

  1. Baseline the requirements

    • Get formal sign-off
    • Version control
    • Change control process
  2. Educate on impact

    • Show timeline impact
    • Explain cost implications
    • Demonstrate scope creep
  3. Offer alternatives

    • Phase 2 additions
    • Separate projects
    • Scaled-down versions

Challenge 2: Conflicting Stakeholder Requirements​

Problem: Different stakeholders want different things

Decision-Making Framework:

graph TD
A[Conflicting Requirements] --> B{Affects Core Objective?}
B -->|Yes| C[Escalate to Decision Maker]
B -->|No| D{Budget Impact?}
D -->|High| C
D -->|Low| E{Timeline Impact?}
E -->|High| C
E -->|Low| F[Find Compromise]
C --> G[Document Decision]
F --> G
G --> H[Update Requirements]

style C fill:#F44336,color:#fff
style F fill:#4CAF50,color:#fff

Resolution Strategies:

  • Facilitate stakeholder meeting
  • Present pros/cons objectively
  • Tie to business objectives
  • Use data to support decisions
  • Get executive decision if needed

Challenge 3: Vague or Incomplete Requirements​

Problem: "I'll know it when I see it"

Clarification Techniques:

Use Examples:

"When you say 'modern design,' do you mean:
- Minimalist like Apple?
- Bold like Nike?
- Playful like Mailchimp?
- Professional like IBM?"

Show Prototypes:

  • Create quick mockups
  • Use existing examples
  • Build simple prototypes
  • Iterate based on feedback

Ask Specific Questions:

  • "What specific features do you need?"
  • "How should this work step-by-step?"
  • "What's the expected outcome?"
  • "How will users interact with this?"

Challenge 4: Unrealistic Expectations​

Problem: "I want everything for nothing"

Reality Check Framework:

ExpectationRealityEducation Strategy
"Amazon-like site for β‚Ή50,000"Amazon spent billionsShow comparable projects and costs
"Launch in 2 weeks"Typical timeline 8-12 weeksExplain phases and dependencies
"Rank #1 on Google immediately"SEO takes 3-6 monthsShare realistic timelines and case studies

Communication Approach:

"I love your vision! To achieve [goal], here's what's involved:

Option 1: Full Solution
- [All features]
- Investment: β‚Ή[Higher amount]
- Timeline: [Longer timeline]

Option 2: Phased Approach (Recommended)
- Phase 1: [Core features] - β‚Ή[Amount] - [Timeline]
- Phase 2: [Enhanced features] - β‚Ή[Amount] - [Timeline]
- Phase 3: [Advanced features] - β‚Ή[Amount] - [Timeline]

Option 3: Scaled Down
- [Essential features only]
- Investment: β‚Ή[Lower amount]
- Timeline: [Shorter timeline]

Which approach aligns best with your priorities and budget?"

Best Practices​

Do's βœ…β€‹

Preparation:

  • βœ… Research thoroughly before the session
  • βœ… Customize templates for each industry
  • βœ… Prepare examples relevant to their business
  • βœ… Test technology if remote session

During Session:

  • βœ… Listen actively - Take detailed notes
  • βœ… Ask "why" - Understand the reasoning
  • βœ… Clarify ambiguity - Never assume
  • βœ… Use visual aids - Show examples
  • βœ… Prioritize ruthlessly - MoSCoW method
  • βœ… Document in real-time - Share screen
  • βœ… Confirm understanding - Repeat back
  • βœ… Record session - With permission

After Session:

  • βœ… Send summary immediately - Same day
  • βœ… Validate requirements - Internal review
  • βœ… Get formal approval - Written sign-off
  • βœ… Update CRM - Document everything

Don'ts βŒβ€‹

Preparation:

  • ❌ Don't skip research - Shows lack of care
  • ❌ Don't use generic templates - Customize
  • ❌ Don't assume you know - Always verify

During Session:

  • ❌ Don't rush - Quality over speed
  • ❌ Don't talk too much - Listen more
  • ❌ Don't make promises - Check feasibility first
  • ❌ Don't ignore red flags - Address concerns
  • ❌ Don't skip prioritization - Everything can't be #1
  • ❌ Don't forget stakeholders - Include everyone

After Session:

  • ❌ Don't delay documentation - Do it immediately
  • ❌ Don't skip validation - Confirm accuracy
  • ❌ Don't proceed without approval - Get sign-off

Tools & Resources​

Requirements Management Tools​

Recommended:

  • Notion - Collaborative documentation
  • Confluence - Enterprise wiki
  • Jira - For technical requirements
  • Miro - Visual collaboration
  • FigJam - Brainstorming and workshops

Document Templates:

  • Google Docs (collaborative)
  • Microsoft Word
  • Notion pages
  • Confluence pages

Collaboration Tools​

Video Conferencing:

  • Zoom (recommended)
  • Google Meet
  • Microsoft Teams

Screen Sharing:

  • Loom (async)
  • CloudApp
  • Snagit

Prototyping:

  • Figma (recommended)
  • Adobe XD
  • Sketch
  • Balsamiq

Key Takeaways​

πŸ’‘ Success Factors:

  1. Preparation is Critical

    • 1 hour of prep saves 10 hours of rework
    • Research the client thoroughly
    • Customize your approach
  2. Listen More Than You Talk

    • 80/20 rule applies here too
    • Ask open-ended questions
    • Dig deeper with "why"
  3. Document Everything

    • Take detailed notes
    • Record sessions (with permission)
    • Send summaries immediately
  4. Prioritize Ruthlessly

    • Use MoSCoW method
    • Not everything can be Must Have
    • Help client make trade-offs
  5. Validate Thoroughly

    • Internal technical review
    • Client confirmation
    • Formal sign-off
  6. Manage Expectations

    • Be honest about feasibility
    • Educate on trade-offs
    • Offer alternatives

🎯 Impact:

  • Thorough requirements reduce project issues by 70%
  • Clear priorities prevent scope creep
  • Validated requirements enable accurate estimation
  • Documented requirements facilitate communication

Last Updated: January 2026
Version: 2.0 (World-Class Edition)


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