Requirements and definition of software functionalities for effective business solutions
Posted: Tue Jan 21, 2025 5:10 am
In this article, we will explain how we define software requirements at Salesland, what techniques we use, and what are the stages in the process of creating effective business solutions in the digital field . Although the topic may seem technical, we will address it in a simple way so that anyone, without being an expert in technology , can understand it.
Nowadays, when creating a digital product we have several different profiles: Users, Clients, Project managers, User Experience designers, User Interface designers, Front-end, Back-end, Web, Mobile developers, Quality managers or QA.
Explaining the functions of each one is beyond the scope of this article. It is important that the reader understands that each of these profiles has a specific mission and tasks, that is, the programmer is responsible for designing processes, in the same way that the project manager does not develop code.
Sometimes we tend to put everything “in the same bag”, however, we perfectly understand that a plumber does not paint the walls or the electrician will not change the windows of a house.
User Stories
User stories are a technique used to define requirements sri lanka whatsapp lead are the basis for understanding what functionality a person who will use the software needs. Let's imagine that you are working in sales and you need a daily report to help you make decisions.
In software development terms , this would translate into a user story: "As a sales executive , I want to see a daily report of my sales so I can identify trends and adjust my strategy ." This simple statement explains who the user is, what they need, and why they need it.
A typical user story has three parts:
Who : The person or role who will use the functionality.
What : The specific functionality or need.
Why : The reason why this functionality is important.
For example:
"As a sales manager (who), I want to receive notifications of new leads (what) so I can follow up quickly (why)."
By focusing on the user, we ensure that the software actually solves real problems and does not simply implement unnecessary features. It also allows us to dig deeper into other details about each of the parts.
From user stories to features
Once the user stories have been defined, the next step is to translate them into concrete functionalities. To do this, it is important to prioritize the most urgent needs or those that generate the greatest impact on the business. User stories are often grouped into modules or parts of the application that will be developed progressively.
For example, if users of a sales solution need one system to manage their customers and another to analyze sales , development might start with customer management, since this functionality is essential for the sales team to perform their daily work.
Stages of the software creation process
Requirements gathering : This is where all the needs of the different teams, from sales to marketing, are gathered . This stage is key to fully understanding the context and the problems to be solved.
Scope definition : Once the requirements have been gathered, what will be developed in each phase is defined. Here it is important to avoid overloading the project with too many functionalities.
Functionality design: Mock-ups are created with the design of the functionalities (which are validated with the users) and each of the elements to be taken into account on each screen is detailed (what can and cannot be done).
Development and testing : The technical team begins working on the code, dividing the project into small iterations or " sprints ." Each sprint includes development and testing to ensure that the functionality meets expectations.
Review and feedback : At the end of each phase, the work is presented to users or stakeholders for feedback. This allows for adjustments to be made and to ensure that the software meets what users really need.
The importance of good communication between teams
Creating software for effective business solutions is not just the job of developers. Sales , marketing , and other departments need to be involved as well. Good communication and empathy between these teams is crucial to align expectations and make sure everyone involved understands the project’s goals and constraints.
Correctly defining requirements and transforming those needs into clear user stories is essential to building effective business solutions. By following a structured process and prioritizing communication between teams, you can ensure that your software not only works well, but also provides real value to users.
This approach will help your company develop technology solutions that truly meet business expectations and needs in a realistic way.
Nowadays, when creating a digital product we have several different profiles: Users, Clients, Project managers, User Experience designers, User Interface designers, Front-end, Back-end, Web, Mobile developers, Quality managers or QA.
Explaining the functions of each one is beyond the scope of this article. It is important that the reader understands that each of these profiles has a specific mission and tasks, that is, the programmer is responsible for designing processes, in the same way that the project manager does not develop code.
Sometimes we tend to put everything “in the same bag”, however, we perfectly understand that a plumber does not paint the walls or the electrician will not change the windows of a house.
User Stories
User stories are a technique used to define requirements sri lanka whatsapp lead are the basis for understanding what functionality a person who will use the software needs. Let's imagine that you are working in sales and you need a daily report to help you make decisions.
In software development terms , this would translate into a user story: "As a sales executive , I want to see a daily report of my sales so I can identify trends and adjust my strategy ." This simple statement explains who the user is, what they need, and why they need it.
A typical user story has three parts:
Who : The person or role who will use the functionality.
What : The specific functionality or need.
Why : The reason why this functionality is important.
For example:
"As a sales manager (who), I want to receive notifications of new leads (what) so I can follow up quickly (why)."
By focusing on the user, we ensure that the software actually solves real problems and does not simply implement unnecessary features. It also allows us to dig deeper into other details about each of the parts.
From user stories to features
Once the user stories have been defined, the next step is to translate them into concrete functionalities. To do this, it is important to prioritize the most urgent needs or those that generate the greatest impact on the business. User stories are often grouped into modules or parts of the application that will be developed progressively.
For example, if users of a sales solution need one system to manage their customers and another to analyze sales , development might start with customer management, since this functionality is essential for the sales team to perform their daily work.
Stages of the software creation process
Requirements gathering : This is where all the needs of the different teams, from sales to marketing, are gathered . This stage is key to fully understanding the context and the problems to be solved.
Scope definition : Once the requirements have been gathered, what will be developed in each phase is defined. Here it is important to avoid overloading the project with too many functionalities.
Functionality design: Mock-ups are created with the design of the functionalities (which are validated with the users) and each of the elements to be taken into account on each screen is detailed (what can and cannot be done).
Development and testing : The technical team begins working on the code, dividing the project into small iterations or " sprints ." Each sprint includes development and testing to ensure that the functionality meets expectations.
Review and feedback : At the end of each phase, the work is presented to users or stakeholders for feedback. This allows for adjustments to be made and to ensure that the software meets what users really need.
The importance of good communication between teams
Creating software for effective business solutions is not just the job of developers. Sales , marketing , and other departments need to be involved as well. Good communication and empathy between these teams is crucial to align expectations and make sure everyone involved understands the project’s goals and constraints.
Correctly defining requirements and transforming those needs into clear user stories is essential to building effective business solutions. By following a structured process and prioritizing communication between teams, you can ensure that your software not only works well, but also provides real value to users.
This approach will help your company develop technology solutions that truly meet business expectations and needs in a realistic way.