COEPD – Center of Excellence for Professional Development Happy Learning
An SRS (Software Requirements Specification) is a detailed document that describes the requirements for a software product. It is a formal document that serves as a foundation for software development projects, outlining what the software should do, how it should behave, and what features it should include.
The purpose of an SRS document is to provide a clear and concise understanding of what the software product is supposed to do, and it is typically developed at the beginning of the software development life cycle. The SRS document is used to communicate the software requirements to stakeholders, such as the development team, project managers, customers, and end-users.
The SRS document typically includes several key sections, including an introduction, a functional requirements section, a non-functional requirements section, and an appendix. The introduction section provides an overview of the software project, including the goals and objectives, the target audience, and any other relevant information.
The functional requirements section of the SRS document outlines the specific functions that the software product must perform, including the inputs, outputs, and processing requirements. It defines the behaviour of the software, and typically includes use case diagrams, flowcharts, and other visual representations.
The non-functional requirements section of the SRS document details how the software should perform, including any performance, security, reliability, and usability requirements. It includes information about the software’s operating environment, including any hardware and software dependencies.
The appendix of the SRS document includes any additional information that is relevant to the software project, such as glossaries, data dictionaries, or reference materials.
The SRS typically includes the following key elements:
- Define your product’s purpose: This is the first step in creating an SRS. We need to define the purpose of the software product we are developing. This includes identifying the problem we are trying to solve, the goals we are trying to achieve, and the benefits the software product will provide to users. This information will help to determine the scope of the software product and ensure that everyone involved in the project is on the same page.
- Describe what you are building: Once we have defined the purpose of our software product, we need to describe what we are building. This includes providing a high-level overview of the software product, its features, and its functionality. We should also describe any assumptions or constraints that may impact the development of the software product.
- Detail the requirements: This is the most critical element of the SRS. We need to detail the requirements of the software product, including both functional and non-functional requirements. Functional requirements describe what the software product must do, while non-functional requirements describe how the software product should perform. Requirements should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART). We should also include any acceptance criteria or quality standards that will be used to evaluate the software product.
- Deliver it for approval: Once we have defined, described, and detailed the requirements of the software product, we need to deliver the SRS document for approval. This involves sharing the document with stakeholders, such as customers, end-users, developers, and project managers, and getting their feedback and approval. This feedback can be used to refine the requirements and ensure that everyone is on the same page before the development process begins.
Advantages of System requirement specification (SRS):
- Clear understanding of project requirements: The SRS clearly defines the project requirements, providing a clear understanding of what needs to be done. This helps ensure that all stakeholders have a common understanding of the project and its objectives.
- Basis for project planning and estimation: The SRS provides a foundation for project planning and estimation, allowing project managers to accurately estimate project timelines and resource requirements.
- Minimizes rework and delays: A well-defined SRS helps minimize rework and delays by ensuring that all project requirements are clearly documented and understood by all stakeholders. This reduces the likelihood of misunderstandings, missed requirements, and scope creep.
- Provides a basis for testing: The SRS provides a clear basis for testing, allowing testers to create test cases that verify that the software meets the documented requirements. This helps ensure that the software is fully functional and meets the needs of end-users.
- Improves communication: The SRS improves communication between all stakeholders by providing a common understanding of the project requirements. This helps ensure that everyone is on the same page and can work together here effectively.
- Provides a basis for future enhancements: The SRS provides a foundation for future enhancements to the software, allowing developers to understand how the software works and how it can be improved. This helps ensure that the software remains relevant and useful over time.
