Generating Product Requirements

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Generating Product Requirements
in an Agile/Incremental Process

Prof. David Bernstein
James Madison University

Computer Science Department

bernstdh@jmu.edu

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A Reminder

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Product Design:
- Analysis - understanding the problem (i.e., eliciting needs)
- Resolution - creating a solution (i.e., generating product requirements)
Resolution in an Agile/Incremental Process:
- Requirements are generated "just in time" (i.e., just enough requirements are generated to allow construction to begin/continue)
- The requirements are modified continuously (based on conversations and negotiations with stakeholders)

Rationale

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Problems with Heavyweight/Non-Incremental Processes:
- Changes are expensive because the work in process (i.e., the detailed requirements and the construction based on them) might need to be discarded
Advantages of Incremental Processes:
- Low-value requirements can be eliminated and high-value requirements can be added
- Complete specifications can't be created up-front for innovative products

Approach

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Progressive Refinement:
- Requirements that will be realized sooner have more detail than requirements that will be realized later
- Product backlog items (PBIs) act as placeholders
- Disaggregation occurs "just in time"
Conversation:
- Don't create detailed written descriptions (which are likely to contain defects), have timely conversations

There's Always More to Learn

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