How to Write a Requirements Document

Create a comprehensive explanation of what is needed for a product. The requirements document will need to fully develop the context around a product and what it must look like to help developers implement their work.

Interview various sources. Get information for the requirements document from business leaders, engineers, developers, sales reps, customers or anyone else with important information about needs for product development.

List system requirements or properties. One of the important elements of requirements is the system requirements, or how the product will interact with a given system for a workstation or network.

Identify any constraints for the project. Explaining restrictions or constraints within the requirements document will help further guide those who are working on the software or IT product.

Consider any interface requirements. Interface requirements are an important part of this document because they determine how the end-user will view the product. They often have a critical influence on the user-friendliness of a product. Identify color schemes, command button requirements and any other part of a successful interface. Keep in mind the programming tools that will be used to develop the project or product when listing interface requirements. This will provide more guidance for developers and others.

Identify parameters like cost and scheduling. These practical considerations should also be part of a requirements document.

Work up a development plan. Along with the above information, a good requirements document will often include further instructions about development of the product. This can take one of a number of forms, and may require a bit of creativity.

Insert visuals. Graphic mockups of a product keep the project fresh and appealing to the eye, while providing more detail about how something will look.

Categorize and organize requirements. Find a way to neatly fit each of these categories of requirements into a single document.

Write the requirements document. Utilize good document planning strategies in constructing something that reads well, where individual areas of the requirements document are easy to access.