Requirement Gathering
Mastering the art and science of capturing complete, accurate project requirements that form the foundation for successful delivery.
Overviewβ
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 Processβ
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 Phaseβ
[!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 Checklistβ
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 Templateβ
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 Methodβ
Prioritize requirements using MoSCoW methodology:
Must Have (Critical)β
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)β
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)β
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)β
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 Categoriesβ
1. Business Requirementsβ
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:
| Stakeholder | Role | Influence | Requirements | Communication |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CEO | Decision Maker | High | ROI, timeline | Monthly updates |
| Marketing Dir | Primary User | High | Features, content | Weekly sync |
| IT Manager | Technical Contact | Medium | Integration, security | As needed |
| End Users | Beneficiaries | Low | Usability | Testing phase |
2. Functional Requirementsβ
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 Requirementsβ
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:
| Requirement | Specification | Priority | Verification Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Page Speed | < 3 sec load time | Must Have | PageSpeed Insights |
| Mobile | Responsive design | Must Have | Device testing |
| Security | SSL + HTTPS | Must Have | SSL checker |
| Uptime | 99.9% availability | Should Have | Monitoring tools |
| Backup | Daily automated | Must Have | Backup logs |
4. Design Requirementsβ
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:
| Website | What We Like | What to Avoid | Applicable Elements |
|---|---|---|---|
| example1.com | Clean layout | Too minimal | Color scheme, spacing |
| example2.com | Great animations | Slow loading | Micro-interactions |
| example3.com | Easy navigation | Cluttered footer | Menu structure |
5. Content Requirementsβ
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 Type | Quantity | Source | Deadline | Owner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Homepage copy | 1 page | Client provides | Week 2 | Marketing |
| Service descriptions | 5 pages | Agency writes | Week 3 | Copywriter |
| Product photos | 50 images | Client provides | Week 1 | Client |
| Team photos | 10 images | Professional shoot | Week 4 | HR |
| Blog posts | 10 articles | Agency writes | Ongoing | Content team |
6. Integration Requirementsβ
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:
| Integration | Complexity | Estimated Hours | Dependencies | Risk Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Payment Gateway | Medium | 16-24 | API keys, testing | Medium |
| Email Marketing | Low | 4-8 | API key | Low |
| CRM | High | 32-40 | Custom fields, mapping | High |
| Analytics | Low | 2-4 | Tracking code | Low |
7. SEO & Marketing Requirementsβ
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
8. Compliance & Legal Requirementsβ
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 Techniquesβ
1. Structured Interviewsβ
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 Facilitationβ
Group Sessions:
- Collaborative requirement definition
- Resolve conflicts early
- Build consensus
- Faster than individual interviews
Workshop Agenda (3 hours):
| Time | Activity | Objective |
|---|---|---|
| 0:00-0:15 | Introduction | Set context, agenda |
| 0:15-0:45 | Business goals | Align on objectives |
| 0:45-1:30 | Feature brainstorm | Identify all requirements |
| 1:30-1:45 | Break | Refresh |
| 1:45-2:30 | Prioritization | MoSCoW method |
| 2:30-2:50 | Technical discussion | Feasibility check |
| 2:50-3:00 | Next steps | Action items |
3. Prototyping & Wireframingβ
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 Mappingβ
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 Analysisβ
Review Existing Materials:
- Current website analytics
- User feedback/surveys
- Support tickets
- Competitor analysis
- Industry reports
- Internal documentation
Requirements Documentation Templateβ
# 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:** βΉ[Amount]
**Resource Allocation:**
- Design: [Hours/βΉAmount]
- Development: [Hours/βΉAmount]
- Content: [Hours/βΉAmount]
- Project Management: [Hours/βΉAmount]
---
## 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 βΉ[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 Validationβ
Validation Checklistβ
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 Agendaβ
Duration: 60-90 minutes
-
Review Process (10 min)
- How we gathered requirements
- Who was consulted
- What we discovered
-
Walk Through Requirements (40-60 min)
- Section by section review
- Clarify any ambiguities
- Confirm priorities
- Address concerns
-
Gap Analysis (10-15 min)
- Anything missing?
- Any changes needed?
- New insights?
-
Next Steps (5-10 min)
- Approval process
- Timeline for proposal
- Follow-up actions
Common Challenges & Solutionsβ
Challenge 1: Changing Requirementsβ
Problem: Client keeps adding/changing requirements
Root Causes:
- Unclear initial requirements
- New stakeholders involved
- Evolving business needs
- Competitive pressure
Solutions:
-
Baseline the requirements
- Get formal sign-off
- Version control
- Change control process
-
Educate on impact
- Show timeline impact
- Explain cost implications
- Demonstrate scope creep
-
Offer alternatives
- Phase 2 additions
- Separate projects
- Scaled-down versions
Challenge 2: Conflicting Stakeholder Requirementsβ
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 Requirementsβ
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 Expectationsβ
Problem: "I want everything for nothing"
Reality Check Framework:
| Expectation | Reality | Education Strategy |
|---|---|---|
| "Amazon-like site for βΉ50,000" | Amazon spent billions | Show comparable projects and costs |
| "Launch in 2 weeks" | Typical timeline 8-12 weeks | Explain phases and dependencies |
| "Rank #1 on Google immediately" | SEO takes 3-6 months | Share 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: βΉ[Higher amount]
- Timeline: [Longer timeline]
Option 2: Phased Approach (Recommended)
- Phase 1: [Core features] - βΉ[Amount] - [Timeline]
- Phase 2: [Enhanced features] - βΉ[Amount] - [Timeline]
- Phase 3: [Advanced features] - βΉ[Amount] - [Timeline]
Option 3: Scaled Down
- [Essential features only]
- Investment: βΉ[Lower amount]
- Timeline: [Shorter timeline]
Which approach aligns best with your priorities and budget?"
Best Practicesβ
Do's β β
Preparation:
- β Research thoroughly before the session
- β Customize templates for each industry
- β Prepare examples relevant to their business
- β Test technology if remote session
During Session:
- β Listen actively - Take detailed notes
- β Ask "why" - Understand the reasoning
- β Clarify ambiguity - Never assume
- β Use visual aids - Show examples
- β Prioritize ruthlessly - MoSCoW method
- β Document in real-time - Share screen
- β Confirm understanding - Repeat back
- β Record session - With permission
After Session:
- β Send summary immediately - Same day
- β Validate requirements - Internal review
- β Get formal approval - Written sign-off
- β Update CRM - Document everything
Don'ts ββ
Preparation:
- β Don't skip research - Shows lack of care
- β Don't use generic templates - Customize
- β Don't assume you know - Always verify
During Session:
- β Don't rush - Quality over speed
- β Don't talk too much - Listen more
- β Don't make promises - Check feasibility first
- β Don't ignore red flags - Address concerns
- β Don't skip prioritization - Everything can't be #1
- β Don't forget stakeholders - Include everyone
After Session:
- β Don't delay documentation - Do it immediately
- β Don't skip validation - Confirm accuracy
- β Don't proceed without approval - Get sign-off
Tools & Resourcesβ
Requirements Management Toolsβ
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 Toolsβ
Video Conferencing:
- Zoom (recommended)
- Google Meet
- Microsoft Teams
Screen Sharing:
- Loom (async)
- CloudApp
- Snagit
Prototyping:
- Figma (recommended)
- Adobe XD
- Sketch
- Balsamiq
Key Takeawaysβ
π‘ Success Factors:
-
Preparation is Critical
- 1 hour of prep saves 10 hours of rework
- Research the client thoroughly
- Customize your approach
-
Listen More Than You Talk
- 80/20 rule applies here too
- Ask open-ended questions
- Dig deeper with "why"
-
Document Everything
- Take detailed notes
- Record sessions (with permission)
- Send summaries immediately
-
Prioritize Ruthlessly
- Use MoSCoW method
- Not everything can be Must Have
- Help client make trade-offs
-
Validate Thoroughly
- Internal technical review
- Client confirmation
- Formal sign-off
-
Manage Expectations
- Be honest about feasibility
- Educate on trade-offs
- Offer alternatives
π― 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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