Every feature traces back to a documented workflow, a measured problem, a person you can name. If a requirement cannot be written, it cannot be built — and we say so early, in writing.
The cost of implicit requirements
Implicit requirements are the source of almost every project overrun. "I thought the dashboard would filter by date." "I assumed the export would include archived records." "The client said they wanted it simple, so I did not build the admin panel."
Our requirement format
Every requirement in our specifications follows a structure:
- ID — unique, traceable.
- Source — who asked, what workflow, what pain.
- Statement — what the system must do, in one sentence.
- Acceptance criteria — how we know it is done, testable.
- Priority — must, should, could, wont.
The spec is a living document
Requirements change. That is not failure — it is learning. But every change is an explicit edit to the spec, with a reason, an impact assessment, and a client sign-off. Nothing moves by memory.
What this buys you
- No surprise features at demo day.
- A shared definition of done.
- A spec a new engineer can read and build from.
- A project that can be paused and resumed without knowledge loss.