OBJECTIVE

The Requirements Analysis Phase will begin when the previous phase documentation has been approved or by management direction. Documentation related to user requirements from the Planning Phase shall be used as the basis for further user needs analysis and the development of detailed user requirements. The analysis may reveal new insights into the overall information systems requirements, and, in such instances, all deliverables should be revised to reflect this analysis.

During the Requirements Analysis Phase, the system shall be defined in more detail with regard to system inputs, processes, outputs, and interfaces. This definition process occurs at the functional level. The system shall be described in terms of the functions to be performed, not in terms of computer programs, files, and data streams. The emphasis in this phase is on determining what functions must be performed rather than how to perform those functions.

TASKS AND ACTIVITIES

The following tasks are performed during the Requirements Analysis Phase.

1.  Analyze and Document Requirements.

First consolidate and affirm the business needs. Analyze the intended use of the system and specify the functional and data requirements. Connect the functional requirements to the data requirements. Define functional and system requirements that are not easily expressed in data and process models refine the high level architecture and logical design to support the system and functional requirements.

A logical model is constructed that describes the fundamental processes and data needed to support the desired business functionality. This logical model will show how processes interact and how processes create and use data. These processes will be derived from the activity descriptions provided in the System Boundary Document.

Functions and entity types contained in the logical model are extended and refined from those provided in the Concept Development Phase. End-users and business area experts will evaluate all identified processes and data structures to ensure accuracy, logical consistency, and completeness. This analysis produces process logic and action diagrams, definitions of the business algorithms, entity life-cycle diagrams, and entity state change matrices. A detailed analysis of the current technical architecture, application software, and data is conducted to ensure that limitations or unique requirements have not been overlooked.

2.  Develop Test Criteria and Plans

Establish the test criteria and begin test planning. Include all areas where testing will take place and who is responsible for the testing. Identify the testing environment, what tests will be performed, test procedures; and traceability back to the requirements.

3.  Develop an Interface Control Document

The project team responsible for the development of this system needs to articulate the other systems (if any) this system will interface with. Identify any interfaces and the exchange of data or functionality that occurs. All areas that connect need to be documented for security as well as information flow purposes.