Software Architect's Handbook

The importance of requirements engineering

The importance of requirements analysis cannot be overstated. Proper requirements analysis is crucial for a successful project since it affects all of the subsequent phases. If it isn't done properly, additional work will be required, resulting in time and cost overruns.

The later in the life cycle such problems are encountered, the more it will cost and the longer it will take to correct those mistakes. When a problem with requirements is discovered later in the life cycle, the deliverables that have already been produced in subsequent phases, such as design and development, may require refactoring. In Code Complete (Second Edition), Steve McConnell explains that the principle is to find an error ...