Outline/Sections of an Effective SRS

Software Requirements Specification

In order to perform good Software Requirements Specifications (SRS), sections are used to organize and structure the document, and to provide a clear understanding of the software requirements. Here are some common sections that may be included in an SRS.

1. Introduction

2. General description

3. Functional Requirements

4. External Requirements

5. Performance Requirements

6. Design Constraints

7. Non-Functional Attributes

8. System Models

9. Preliminary Schedule and Budget

10. Appendices

Software Requirement Specification (SRS) Format as name suggests, is complete specification and description of requirements of software that needs to be fulfilled for successful development of software system. These requirements can be functional as well as non-functional depending upon type of requirement. The interaction between different customers and contractor is done because its necessary to fully understand needs of customers.  Depending upon information gathered after interaction, SRS is developed which describes requirements of software that may include changes and modifications that is needed to be done to increase quality of product and to satisfy customer’s demand.

1. Introduction:

The Introduction section of a software requirements specification (SRS) document provides an overview of the document and the software system it describes. This section typically includes the following elements:          

1.1. Purpose: This explains the reason for creating the SRS document and what its main goals are.

1.2. Scope: This describes the boundaries of the software system, including what it will and will not do. This helps to ensure that all stakeholders have a clear understanding of what is included in the software system.

1.3. References: This lists any relevant documents or sources that were used in the creation of the SRS, such as user manuals or technical specifications.

1.4. Overview of the software system: This provides a brief description of the software system, including its purpose, functions, and features. This helps to provide context for the rest of the document and ensure that all stakeholders have a basic understanding of what the software system does.

Overall, the Introduction section helps to ensure that all stakeholders are on the same page and have a clear understanding of what the software system is meant to achieve.

2. General description:

Overall Description section of a Software Requirements Specification (SRS) document provides a high-level description of the software system, including its purpose, functions, and features. This section typically includes the following elements:

2.1. Product perspective: This describes the relationship of the software system to other systems or products, including any dependencies or interactions with external systems.

2.2. Product functions: This describes the functions and features of the software system in broad terms. This helps to provide a high-level understanding of what the software system does and how it works.

2.3. User characteristics: This describes the types of users who will interact with the software system, including their skill levels, experience, and other relevant characteristics. This helps to ensure that the software system is designed to meet the needs of its intended users.

2.4. Constraints: This describes any constraints that may impact the design or development of the software system, such as regulatory requirements, resource limitations, or technical limitations.

2.5. Assumptions and dependencies: This describe any assumptions made during the development of the SRS and any dependencies that the software system has on external systems or components.

3. Functional Requirements:

Functional requirements are specifically related to the functions that the software system must perform to meet the needs of its users. These requirements describe the functions that the software must perform, and they are typically defined in terms of inputs, outputs, and processing rules. Some examples of functional requirements include:

• User Authentication: The system should require users to authenticate themselves using a valid username and password before granting them access to any system functions. 
• Search Functionality: The system should allow users to search for specific information within the application.
• Data Entry: The system should allow users to enter and edit data in various forms and fields.
• Reporting and Analytics: The system should provide users with the ability to generate reports and analytics based on the data that has been entered.
• Security and Access Control: The system should ensure that only authorized users have access to sensitive data and functionality.
• Integration with Third-party Systems: The system should integrate with other third-party systems, such as payment gateways, shipping providers, or customer relationship management tools.
• Workflow Management: The system should provide users with the ability to manage their workflow by assigning tasks, setting deadlines, and tracking progress.
• Notifications and Alerts: The system should provide users with notifications and alerts when certain events occur, such as when a task is assigned or completed.
• Collaboration and Communication: The system should facilitate communication and collaboration between users, such as through instant messaging or video conferencing.
• Customization: The system should allow users to customize the application to meet their specific needs and preferences.

4. External Requirement:

The External Requirements section of a Software Requirements Specification (SRS) describes any external factors or requirements that may impact the design or development of the software system. This section typically includes the following elements:

4.1. Hardware interfaces: This section describes any hardware components or devices that the software system must interface with, including any requirements related to connectivity, communication protocols, or data exchange formats.

4.2. Software interfaces: This section describes any software applications or systems that the software system must interface with, including any requirements related to data exchange, communication protocols, or compatibility.

4.3. Communications interfaces: This section describes any communication channels or networks that the software system must interface with, including any requirements related to security, reliability, or data transfer rates.

4.4. Licensing and legal requirements: This section describes any licensing or legal requirements that must be considered during the development of the software system. This may include regulatory compliance requirements, intellectual property considerations, or contractual obligations.

5. Performance Requirements:

Performance requirements are a type of non-functional requirement that describe how quickly or efficiently the software system must perform certain tasks or functions. Performance requirements are typically related to the system's response time, throughput, and resource utilization. Some examples of performance requirements include:

• Response time: This is the amount of time it takes for the software system to respond to user input or a system event. Response time requirements may specify a maximum allowable delay before the system must respond to user input or a system event.
• Throughput: This is the number of transactions or operations that the software system must be able to handle within a given period of time. Throughput requirements may specify a minimum number of transactions or operations that the system must be able to handle per second or minute.
• Resource utilization: This is the amount of system resources, such as CPU usage or memory usage, that the software system must be able to use without impacting performance. Resource utilization requirements may specify a maximum amount of CPU usage or memory usage that the system can consume.
• Availability: This is the amount of time that the software system must be available and accessible to its users. Availability requirements may specify a minimum percentage of uptime, such as 99.9% uptime per year.

6. Design Constraints:

Design constraints section of System Requirements Specification that describes any limitations or restrictions that must be taken into account during the design and development of the software system. Design constraints may be related to technical factors, such as hardware or software limitations, or non-technical factors, such as regulatory compliance or organizational policies. Some examples of design constraints include:

• Hardware constraints: These describe limitations or requirements related to the hardware environment in which the software system will be deployed, such as processor speed, memory capacity, or storage capacity.
• Software constraints: These describe limitations or requirements related to the software environment in which the software system will be deployed, such as operating system version or database management system compatibility.
• Regulatory constraints: These describe legal or regulatory requirements that the software   system must comply with, such as data privacy laws or industry-specific regulations.
• Organizational constraints: These describe policies or guidelines that the software system must be there to within the organization, such as development methodologies or technology standards.

7. Non-Functional Requirements:

Non-functional requirements are a type of software requirement that describe the qualities or characteristics of the software system, rather than its specific features or functionalities. Non-functional requirements are typically related to how the software system should behave or perform, rather than what it should do. Some examples of non-functional requirements include:

• Performance: This describes how quickly the software system must respond to user input or perform certain tasks. It may include requirements related to response times, throughput, or resource utilization.
• Reliability: This describes how dependable the software system must be, and how often it can be expected to fail. It may include requirements related to availability, fault tolerance, or error handling.
• Usability: This describes how easy the software system must be to use, and how well it must meet the needs of its users. It may include requirements related to user interfaces, accessibility, or user documentation.
• Security: This describes how secure the software system must be, and how well it must protect against unauthorized access or data breaches. It may include requirements related to authentication, encryption, or access controls.
• Scalability: This describes how well the software system must be able to handle increased usage or workload, and how it must scale in response to changing demands.

8. System Models:

System models in a software requirements specification (SRS) document provide a visual representation of the software system's architecture, design, and behavior. These models help stakeholders to understand the system's structure and how it will function, and they can also assist the development team in implementing the system. Some of the most common types of system models in an SRS document include:

• Data flow diagrams: These diagrams represent the flow of data through the system, showing how data is input, processed, and output by the system. They can be used to model both the logical and physical structure of the system.
•  Use case diagrams: Use case diagrams show the interactions between the system and its users, including the different ways that users will interact with the system to achieve specific goals or tasks.
• Sequence diagrams: Sequence diagrams show the order in which system components interact with each other and with users, providing a visual representation of the system's behavior.
• Activity diagrams: Activity diagrams show the workflow or business processes that the system supports, including the steps that are required to complete a specific task or process.
• Class diagrams: Class diagrams show the relationships between the classes or objects that make up the system, including the attributes and methods of each class.
• State diagrams: State diagrams show the different states that a system or object can be in, as well as the events that trigger state transitions.

9. Preliminary Schedule and Budget: In this, initial version and budget of project plan are explained which include overall time duration required and overall cost required for development of project.

10. Appendices: This section includes any additional information that may be useful for understanding the software requirements, such as glossaries, acronyms, or references.

Thank you,

k.vijay(Intern)

Guard Ninja,

Data Guard Team,

Enterprise Minds.