Difference between revisions of "Secrets of understanding requirements"

From DarkWiki
Jump to: navigation, search
(Word tricks)
(Word tricks)
Line 13: Line 13:
 
We can see that Fred is a human, a user, perhaps a particular type of user. Let's refer to him a USER.
 
We can see that Fred is a human, a user, perhaps a particular type of user. Let's refer to him a USER.
  
Our first verb, "need", is actually rather special: It means MUST, rather than WANT, SHOULD, or COULD.
+
Our first verb, "need", is actually rather special: It means MUST, rather than WANT, SHOULD, or COULD. But further clarification is required, and we can learn a few things using '''negation''':
 +
 
 +
* Fred DOES NOT need to include a picture or a song in an email

Revision as of 15:55, 22 April 2020

Introduction

Word tricks

When requirements are hard to descern, you can get a better understanding by playing with words. Specifically, you need to be able to simply define each noun and each verb you use. But that's easier said than done.

  • Fred needs to include a picture or a song in an email

Pronouns: Fred Verbs: Needs, Include Nouns: Picture, Song, Email

We can see that Fred is a human, a user, perhaps a particular type of user. Let's refer to him a USER.

Our first verb, "need", is actually rather special: It means MUST, rather than WANT, SHOULD, or COULD. But further clarification is required, and we can learn a few things using negation:

  • Fred DOES NOT need to include a picture or a song in an email