Software Architect's Handbook

Document analysis

Document analysis utilizes existing documentation to obtain information and requirements. The documentation may cover the relevant business processes or existing software systems. If there is an existing system in use, it can serve as a starting point for the requirements of the new system. The documentation may come in the form of technical documentation, user manuals, contracts, statements of work, emails, training materials, and anything else that may be of use.

The documentation may even be commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) software package manuals. There may be existing software that provides part or all of the functionality you are seeking to implement, and by analyzing that documentation you can get the requirements ...