BRS is a standard document that stands for Business Requirements Specification.
Previously, we talked about SRS documents, functional requirements, non-functional requirements, and user stories in agile methodology.
BRS is one of the necessary documents in software testing and software development.
This post will talk about what BRS is, why it is essential to design a BRS document, how to write a BRS document, and the differences between BRS, SRS, and FRS documents.
What Is a BRS Document?
In short, the BRS document is called a BRD. Which stands for Business Requirements Document.
A BRD is a widely acceptable specification document. BRD aims to show how to meet the business requirements on a broader level and offer business solutions for specific projects.
At the beginning of your product’s lifecycle, the client and a business analyst cooperate to build the BRD.
This document includes:
- The product’s goals which are based on the stakeholders’ specifications
- The product users’ expectations and needs
- The overall scope of work
- All the features and functions of the product
- Usability and performance requirements
- Any high-level constraints that can impact a successful deployment
A BRD is mainly used by the upper and middle management roles, product’s investors, and business analysts.
Why Is Writing a BRS Document Important?
A well-written BRD is the foundation of a successful project. As we mentioned before, this document is built to describe the problems and solutions and to highlight the required outcomes to deliver necessary values. A well written BRD keeps everyone involved in the project on the same page and directs the development team towards the same goal.
How to Write a BRS Document?
Most businesses use a template for all their project requirements’ documentation. By doing so, they keep their documentation unified.
The structures may vary, but a basic BRD will include the following sections and components:
- Project overview (including vision, objectives, and context)
- Success factors
- Project scope
- Stakeholder identification
- Business requirements
- Scope of the solution
- Project constraints (such as schedule and budget)
- Quality control measures
For more information, you can download UNECE BRD Template.doc.
Every project has its unique requirements, resources, and procedures. Consequently, there might be additional sections based on the project’s complexity. For example, BRD may include current assessment, a map for future operations, and training needs.
Additionally, BRD might include a section for functional and non-functional requirements based on the organization’s documentation process.
The Differences Between BRS, SRS, and FRS
SRS stands for Software Requirements Specification. The SRS document describes how the software you are going to develop is expected to perform.
Read our post SRS document: the what, the why, and the how for more information.
FRS is also a type of document in software development. FRS stands for Functional Requirements Specification, which is a step-by-step, particular sequence of all operations required to develop software from the very start.
Read our blog post about what are functional requirements? types and examples.
Business Requirements vs. Functional Requirements:
Although the terms are often used interchangeably, business requirements are not the same as functional requirements.
| BRS (Business Requirements Specification) | FRS (Functional Requirements Specification) |
| Describes what kind of deliverables are needed | Describes how the system should operate to fulfill the business requirements |
| Focuses on the fulfillment of the organization objectives | Focuses on the fulfillment of business requirements and client’s expectation |
| Is high-level, detailed-oriented, and from the client’s perspective | Is specific, narrowly focused, and from the system perspective |
Although the distinction is subtle, it’s essential to know the difference between business and functional requirements to ensure practical requirements elicitation, documentation, and implementation.
Understanding these differences helps you keep the project adequately focused and aligned. Therefore, your team can meet the business requirements and the client’s expectations.
Business Requirements vs. Software Requirements:
The role of formulating a document is to understand fundamentals that will be compelled to develop robust software. The type of record expectation depends upon business type, its criteria, how the company processes, and the type of software which will be created.
| BRS (Business Requirements Specification) | SRS (Software Requirement Specification) |
| Is created by a business analyst who interacts with the client | Is created by a system architect who is a technical expert |
| BRD is derived from client interaction and requirements | SRS is derived from BRD |
| Describes the functional software specification on a high level | Describes the functional and technical specification on a high level |
| Is a formal document about what the client wants | Is the specific functional and non-functional requirements of the software about to be developed |
| The main audience of BRD is the project’s stakeholders | The main audience of SRS is clients, system designers, testers, and trainers |
By far, you know what a BRD is and who can help you in writing it. Also, you have an idea about the subtle differences between the above three types of standard documents.
Business Requirement Specification documents are highly acceptable and quite essential.
Never forget this fact; besides all the technical requirements and specifics, your software development has a business side.
In WINaTALENT, our job is to write an SRS document AND an FRS document. We also help you succeed on your business side.
Well done. Can you please introduce extra resource beside this materials?
Thx