Testing Requirements Effectively

Description

A complete step-by-step algorithm for testing requirements. This process helps identify issues at the earliest stage.

Goal of Requirements Testing

To save product development time by doing only the necessary work. Saved development time means saved company money.

Requirements Testing Algorithm

• Study the requirements

  • Read the requirements (documentation, specifications, etc.).
  • Understand the context, product goals, and expectations of the customer/management.

• Check completeness

  • Ensure the requirements contain all the necessary information:
    • What needs to be implemented (functionality, interface)?
    • What are the limitations (e.g., performance, compatibility)?
  • Mark any aspects that are not described or are unclear (e.g., behavior in error scenarios).

• Assess clarity

  • Check for ambiguous wording (e.g., “user-friendly interface” without specifics).
  • Make sure terms and definitions are consistent throughout the document.

• Check testability

  • Ensure each requirement can be verified (measured or tested).
    • Example: “The system should be fast” is not testable, while “The page loads in 2 seconds with 1000 users” is testable.
  • If a criterion is not testable, note it for clarification.

• Analyze consistency

  • Check for contradictions between requirements (e.g., one requires only iOS support, while another requires cross-platform compatibility).
  • Ensure the requirements align with business goals and do not conflict with other documents (technical specifications, design).

• Assess feasibility

  • Evaluate if it is realistic to meet the requirement considering constraints (time, budget, technology).
  • If something seems unachievable, document it for discussion.

• Create questions and comments

  • List any unclear points, contradictions, or missing information.
  • Example: “What happens if the user enters incorrect data in field X?”
  • Prepare suggestions for improving the requirements (e.g., adding acceptance criteria).

• Check coverage of scenarios

  • Identify whether all key usage scenarios are described (main, alternative, error).
  • If any scenarios are missing, suggest adding them (e.g., how the mobile app behaves when there is no internet connection).

• Discuss with the team

  • Ask questions: don’t be afraid to clarify even obvious things — it’s better to double-check than make a mistake.
  • Clarify any unclear points and agree on necessary changes.

• Document results

  • Record identified problems, questions, and suggested changes.
  • Ensure the updated version of the requirements is agreed upon and approved.