Forums for the Business Analyst

 
  Modern Analyst Forums  Business and Sy...  Requirements  Business Requirements vs Functional Requirements
Previous Previous
 
Next Next
New Post 8/12/2008 1:06 PM
User is offline Jim
15 posts
9th Level Poster


Business Requirements vs Functional Requirements 

Hello,

I always struggle with the level of detail that should be expressed for the requirements at the business/user level vs the functional level.  I was wondering if anyone had a good example, like a case study or sample project, with documents describing the business requirements for the project and the corresponding functional requirements?  I am interested to see the level at which the business/user requirements are documented and compare them to the level of detail flushed out in the functional requirements.

This forum is great by the way!  I just came apon it and there is a wealth of great information.  I will be returning often for advice and to bounce ideas around.

Thanks - Jim

 
New Post 8/13/2008 5:05 AM
User is offline Craig Brown
560 posts
www.betterprojects.net
4th Level Poster




Re: Business Requirements vs Functional Requirements 

Hey

I have two tools I think are useful.

  1. The Zachmanenterprise architecture framework.  It targets enterprise analysis but it's principles apply really well to enterprise applications requirements as well.
  2. User stories, which are popular with agile project are also useful in a broad range of application dev projects.

You'll find good info on each of these below;

User Stories

Zachman,

Zachman, RUP and UML

 

But more imprtantly, a developer reminded me today that they are the ones who need to read and understadn specs, so why not go and speak with them about what works best for them?

 
New Post 8/13/2008 3:13 PM
User is offline Tony Markos
493 posts
5th Level Poster


Re: Business Requirements vs Functional Requirements 

Hi:

Are business requirements seperate from functional requirements.  The way I learned it, there are essential requirements and non-essential requirements.  Essential requirements exist irregardless of who or what mechanism accoplishes them.  Example:  Calculate Sales Tax.   Depending upon the company, this requirement could be met  by a person, a hand-held calculator, or a computer.  It will always need to be done - but the mechanism may change.  

Now a requirement like:  "Adjust the Servo Modulator" - which is, lets say, a prerequiste to a computer program being able to "Calculate Sales Tax" is non-essential.   If, for example, we throw away the computer and go back to having a person calculate sales tax, then, we no longer need to "Adjust the Servo Modulator".

Tony

 
New Post 8/13/2008 11:15 PM
User is offline Craig Brown
560 posts
www.betterprojects.net
4th Level Poster




Re: Business Requirements vs Functional Requirements 

Tony, the way I understand this is that the different types of requirements are contextual.  That's why I like the zachman model.

Business reqs are about the business goals,functional are about the system.

This also highlights the iterative nature of requiremnts definitions - as you peel off layers more constraints and solution decisions get embedded into the specs.

Of course your data flow diagrams also handle this layered approach to reqirements pretty well.

 

 
New Post 8/14/2008 1:53 PM
User is offline Tony Markos
493 posts
5th Level Poster


Re: Business Requirements vs Functional Requirements 

Craig:

I have heard of this concept many times:  a Buiness req (function) is different that a system function.    But my experience has always been that functions is functions .  If we don't incorporate them all into a single model, how are ever going to capture a complex as-is situation where the system currently consists of functions accomplished by men and computers - and maybe even machines and electronics?

Tony

 

 
Previous Previous
 
Next Next
  Modern Analyst Forums  Business and Sy...  Requirements  Business Requirements vs Functional Requirements

Community Blog - Latest Posts

Fabricio Laguna talks Business Analysis and AI
I recently connected with Fabricio Laguna, aka The Brazilian BA. Fabricio is a passionate and pioneering business analyst from Brazil. During our conversation, we had a thought-provoking discussion on how artificial intelligence stands to shape the field of business analysis in the years ahead. While AI promises to transform many aspects of busines...
Business Architecture, Ontology and More with Terry Roach
It's been a privilege meeting Terry Roach, a visionary in the field of enterprise architecture and business architecture. Terry's insights into the evolution of business models, the importance of ontology in architecture, and the potential of AI to shape our future were not only thought-provoking but also a reflection of his extensive exper...
Today I had the pleasure of chatting to Jignesh Jamnadas, Chief Operations Officer at Mosaic, about his Blueprints for Success. As a Senior Finance and Operations Executive, Jigs (as he is known to many) has a holistic understanding of all facets of business and a flair for managing both people and processes. Having worked with Jigs, I was struc...

 






 

Copyright 2006-2024 by Modern Analyst Media LLC