Requirements definition and management REQM
Managing requirements through the entire delivery and operational life cycle.
Updates for SFIA 9
- There is an updated version of this skill for SFIA 9.
- You can move to SFIA 9 when you are ready - SFIA 8 skill descriptions will still be available to use.
- Previous SFIA assessments or skills mapping are not impacted by this change.
Guidance notes
Requirements may be related to software, systems, data, processes, products or services.
Activities may include — but are not limited to:
- eliciting and analysing requirements — both functional and non-functional
- ensuring that customer requirements and priorities are accurately reflected
- organising and prioritising requirements using techniques such as — but not limited to — product roadmaps, epics, user stories and backlogs
- specifying and validating requirements and constraints to a level that enables effective development and operations of new or changed software, systems, processes, products or services
- negotiating trade-offs that are acceptable to key stakeholders and within budgetary, technical, regulatory, and other constraints
- adopting and adapting requirements management life cycle models.
The requirements life cycle approach will be based on the context of the work and may be selected from predictive (plan-driven) or adaptive (iterative/agile) approaches.
Levels of responsibility for this skill
| 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
Requirements definition and management: Level 1
This skill is not typically observed or practiced at this level of responsibility and accountability.
Requirements definition and management: Level 2
Uses standard techniques to elicit, specify, and document requirements for simple subject areas with clearly-defined boundaries.
Assists in the definition and management of requirements.
Assists in the creation of a requirements baseline.
Assists in investigating and applying authorised changes.
Requirements definition and management: Level 3
Defines and manages scoping, requirements definition and prioritisation activities for small-scale changes and assists with more complex change initiatives.
Follows agreed standards and applies appropriate techniques to elicit and document detailed requirements. Provides constructive challenge to stakeholders as required. Reviews requirements for errors and omissions.
Prioritises requirements and documents traceability to source.
Provides input to the requirements base-line. Investigates, manages and applies authorised requests for changes to base-lined requirements, in line with change management policy.
Requirements definition and management: Level 4
Defines and manages scoping, requirements definition and prioritisation activities for initiatives of medium size and complexity.
Contributes to selecting the requirements approach.
Facilitates input from stakeholders, provides constructive challenge and enables effective prioritisation of requirements.
Establishes requirements base-lines, obtains formal agreement to requirements, and ensures traceability to source.
Requirements definition and management: Level 5
Plans and drives scoping, requirements definition and prioritisation activities for large, complex initiatives.
Selects, adopts and adapts appropriate requirements definition and management methods, tools and techniques. Contributes to the development of organisational methods and standards for requirements management.
Obtains input from, and agreement to requirements from a diverse range of stakeholders. Negotiates with stakeholders to manage competing priorities and conflicts.
Establishes requirements baselines. Ensures changes to requirements are investigated and managed.
Requirements definition and management: Level 6
Champions the importance and value of requirements management principles and selecting effective requirements management life cycle models.
Develops organisational policies, standards, and guidelines for requirements definition and management.
Plans and leads scoping, requirements definition and priority setting for complex, strategic programmes.
Drives adoption of, and adherence to, policies and standards. Develops new methods and organisational capabilities for requirements management.
Requirements definition and management: Level 7
This skill is not typically observed or practiced at this level of responsibility and accountability.