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L07 10 Requirements Templates (EARS)
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Software developers, business analysts, and project managers seeking to improve their requirements documentation process.
TL;DR
This video introduces the EARS (Easy Approach to Requirement Syntax) template for writing clear and effective requirements. It covers various EARS templates like ubiquitous, state-driven, event-driven, optional, and unwanted functionality, along with common requirement pitfalls.
Key Takeaways
- Using a template-driven approach like EARS (Easy Approach to Requirement Syntax) provides structure and avoids staring at a blank page when writing requirements.
- The EARS template follows a general pattern: 'While <precondition> and possibly <trigger>, the system shall <response>'.
- Ubiquitous requirements, like response time constraints, must always be true for the system.
- State-driven requirements apply only when a specific condition is met, and cease to apply when that condition becomes false.
- Event-driven requirements are triggered by a specific action, initiating a one-time response.
- Optional feature requirements, using the 'where' keyword, apply only if a particular feature or component is present in the system.
- Unwanted functionality templates are crucial for implementing exception and error handling within the system.
- Problematic requirement attributes to avoid include ambiguity, vagueness, complexity, omissions, duplication, wordiness, implementation descriptions, and untestability.
In This Video
- 00:00Introduction to Requirement Templates
Using templates simplifies writing requirements instead of starting from a blank page.
- 00:17General EARS Template Structure
The EARS template includes a trigger, precondition, and system response.
- 00:31Ubiquitous and State-Driven Requirements
Ubiquitous requirements are always true; state-driven requirements apply only when a condition is met.
- 01:04Event-Driven and Optional Feature Requirements
Event-driven requirements trigger on an action; optional feature requirements apply if a component exists.
- 01:45Unwanted Functionality and Complex Templates
Handle errors with unwanted functionality templates; mix templates for complex needs.
- 02:19Common Requirement Issues
Avoid ambiguous, vague, complex, omitted, duplicated, wordy, or untestable requirements.
Questions & Answers
What is the EARS approach to writing requirements?
The Easy Approach to Requirement Syntax (EARS) uses a standard template for all requirements, often including a precondition, trigger, and system response.
What is a ubiquitous requirement template?
A ubiquitous requirement is one that must always be true for the system, like a touchscreen response time of less than 250 milliseconds.
What is a state-driven requirement?
A state-driven requirement applies only when a specific condition is true, such as the internal speaker muting when an external speaker is connected.
What is an event-driven requirement template?
An event-driven requirement is triggered by a specific event, like a card reader verifying credentials when a card is inserted.
What does the 'where' keyword mean in EARS requirements?
The 'where' keyword in EARS signifies a requirement that applies if a specific feature or component is present in the system.
What are common issues with requirements?
Common requirement issues include being ambiguous, vague, complex, omitted, missing, duplicated, wordy, describing implementation, or being untestable.
Key Terms
- EARS — Easy Approach to Requirement Syntax, a template-driven method for writing requirements.
- Ubiquitous Requirement — A requirement that must always be true for the system.
- State-Driven Requirement — A requirement that applies only when a specific condition is true.
- Event-Driven Requirement — A requirement triggered by a specific event.