Software Requirement Specification (SRS) Tutorial and EXAMPLE | Functional Requirement Document

Summary

This video script by Dr. White offers a comprehensive tutorial on crafting a software requirement specification (SRS). It outlines the SRS's purpose, detailing functional and non-functional requirements, and its audience. The script guides through the SRS structure, including sections like introduction, overall description, business rules, and various requirement categories. Best practices for creating an effective SRS are highlighted, along with an example of an SRS for a university admissions department website, emphasizing the importance of clear documentation for successful software development.

Takeaways

• 😀 A software requirement specification (SRS) is a formal document that outlines the behavior and implications of a software application by detailing functional and non-functional requirements.
• 🔍 Functional requirements describe the solution capabilities and behavior under specific conditions, while non-functional requirements describe the performance or quality characteristics that a solution must have.
• 👥 The primary audience for an SRS includes the technical team, subject matter experts, testing teams, and other stakeholders involved in the development and approval process.
• 📚 The SRS serves as a blueprint for design and implementation by the technical team and as a communication tool between technical and business stakeholders.
• 📈 The structure of an SRS typically includes sections such as introduction, overall description, business rules, functional requirements, use cases, data requirements, external requirements, non-functional requirements, reporting requirements, and supplemental information.
• 📊 Business rules in an SRS are specific, testable directives that guide behavior, judgment, or decision-making, often emerging as constraints in the form of policies, guidelines, standards, regulations, or calculated formulas.
• 📝 Functional requirements should be system-agnostic to minimize design dependency on a specific application, and they are derived from stakeholder requirements.
• 📋 Use cases in an SRS describe the functionality in a system that allows the user to achieve a goal, detailing the relationship between actors and the solution.
• 🌐 Non-functional requirements (NFRs) cover aspects like availability, compatibility, performance, portability, reliability, scalability, security, supportability, usability, and localization.
• 📉 Reporting requirements in an SRS outline the reports that will be generated by the solution, including details like report title, headers and footers, layout, security and access, and report logic.
• 📚 Best practices for creating an SRS include developing a separate business requirements document, involving key stakeholders, enabling manageability, using a checklist, using visuals, and being clear and concise in language.

Q & A

What is the purpose of a Software Requirement Specification (SRS)?

A Software Requirement Specification (SRS) is a formal document that outlines the functional and non-functional requirements of a software application. It serves as a blueprint for design and implementation, guiding the technical team and acting as a communication tool between technical and business stakeholders.

What are the two main types of requirements discussed in the script?

The two main types of requirements discussed are functional requirements and non-functional requirements. Functional requirements describe the solution capabilities and behavior under specific conditions, while non-functional requirements describe the performance or quality characteristics a solution must have.

Who is the primary audience for an SRS?

The primary audience for an SRS includes the technical team, subject matter experts (SMEs), testing teams, and other stakeholders involved in approving the SRS. The technical team uses it to develop solution designs, SMEs review it for accuracy, and testing teams use it to develop test cases.

What is the significance of involving key stakeholders in the development of an SRS?

Involving key stakeholders ensures that all relevant perspectives and needs are considered, which helps in creating a comprehensive and accurate SRS. It also ensures that the requirements are testable and align with the expectations of all parties involved.

What are the common sections included in an SRS?

Common sections of an SRS include Introduction, Overall Description, Business Rules, Functional Requirements, Use Cases, Data Requirements, External Requirements, Non-functional Requirements, Reporting Requirements, and Supplemental Information.

How are functional requirements typically structured in an SRS?

Functional requirements should include the actor (usually the system), the action (a verb), the object (a noun), and the qualifier criteria if needed. They should be system agnostic to minimize design dependency on a specific application.

What is the role of use cases in an SRS?

Use cases describe the functionality in a system that allows the user to achieve a goal. They provide a narrative that describes the relationship between actors and the solution, detailing how the interaction works. Use cases can be particularly useful when functional requirements involve various scenarios.

What are some common elements included in the Data Requirements section of an SRS?

The Data Requirements section typically includes a logical data model, a data dictionary, and data acquisition and maintenance details. A logical entity relationship diagram (ERD) is commonly used for the data model, and the data dictionary provides detailed information about important business terms.

What are non-functional requirements (NFRs) and why are they important?

Non-functional requirements (NFRs) describe the performance or quality characteristics a solution must have to be effective and satisfactory to stakeholders. They are important as they form constraints on the solution, often being measurable and applicable to the entire solution or system rather than a single functionality.

What are some best practices for creating a complete and effective SRS?

Best practices include creating a separate business requirements document before formulating the SRS, involving all relevant stakeholders in the development process, structuring the requirements for manageability, using a checklist to ensure all criteria are met, using visuals to illustrate complex requirements, and being clear and specific in the language used.