Career Forums

"Is there a specific template you use to gather requirements?"

Yellow Legal Pad used to write them down quickly ... later entered into Excel with a number ... this number is used when you write your functional specs and it points back to the business requirements you gathered ... it is called a traceability matrix.

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"How do you elicit requirements from the business?"

Initially set up a meeting with the stakeholders and ask questions. Draw pictures (wire frames) of what they want for a user interface, what kind of reports and layouts. Talk to the uses too and see what they think. 

"I am not too sure what would be examples of requirements for a UI. "

Draw out the screen, on paper the way they want it to look. You don't need fancy expensive software ... I've used Word before using the Insert, Shapes and select the square box and stretch it the way you want ... put the field text above it.

      Account Number

Now list the fields and describe what must be done.

(1) Account Number (AcctNum)

 20 Alpha-Numeric, Caps Only

 Validate 20 chars have been entered

If Account Number is Blank ... Error Message = "Invalid Account Number".

If Account Number entered ... Check database that account number valid ... if Invalid, Error Message = "Invalid Account Number".

do this to what ever other fields are on screen ...

*** IF Valid Account Number Entered ***

(2) Display Account Holder Name, Address, City, Zip

Etc.