Creating Requirements Documents Using Analysis Tools

Abstract

This chapter builds on Chap. 7 and outlines a step-by-step procedure for designing and developing specifications that reflect the engineering requirements for building systems. This portion of the book provides the necessary tools that analysts and designers need to provide program developers with detailed, yet creative technical specifications toward the processing portion of the requirements document including data flow diagrams, process flow diagrams, the building of a data dictionary, the writing of algorithms, state transition diagrams, and the introduction to entity relationship diagrams. Validating that an application meets requirements is a most difficult process. This chapter discusses alternative ways of accomplishing this task, including creating checklists, quality assurance procedures, group review sessions, and product simulations. The approach is to focus more on what the software does not do, as opposed to its features and functions. The chapter also emphasizes a review of mathematical calculations, that is, the way in which the system handles formulas and produces results. Results also encompass analysis alternatives, types of outputs, and open systems compatibilities.