Business Requirements vs. Functional Specifications (BRD vs. SRS)

One of the most difficult judgment calls that a business analyst has to make is where to draw the line between a business requirement and a functional specification. In this video, I offer you some guidelines to help you make this judgment call on your own project.
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Episode Transcript:
In this video, I want to talk a little bit more about the difference between business requirements and specifications. This is an area where a lot of new business analysts have a lot of difficulties because the challenge there is that there is no standard for what is a business requirement versus what is a specification.
And so for new business analysts there I see that they're constantly always seeking an answer to that question. How do I know what to put in my BRD versus what I should put in my functional specifications or my SRS document?
And the answer really to that is that there is no standard and it is unique to every situation. It is unique to the company that you work for. And at times it's even different.
Depending on the project that you're working on at the same company. But what I'm going to do in this video is I want to give you some guidance on how you can learn to make that judgment call on your own.
So on a project by project basis, you as a business analyst have to be able to make a judgment call on what you should put in your business requirements document versus what you should put in your functional specifications or your software requirements specifications document.
And for a second here. So you should learn how to make that judgment call. That is one of the hallmarks of what an inexperienced business analyst does because. As you become more experienced as a business analyst you start you stop relying on things like templates and on things like standards that might come from the IIBA or they might come from the PMI. You stop relying on those standards because you see how things actually work inside the company that you're working for. And a big part of you being able to be effective in that environment is that you have to learn how to make the judgment call on a case by case basis. So here's a little bit of advice on how to do that. When you're trying to figure out whether something is a requirement or whether it's a specification you have to always consider the level of detail that you're dealing with.
And there are three different levels of detail at which you can document requirements and specifications. The first level is what I like to call the client level. Or you can call the customer level depending on your company. But the client and customer level is the level of detail.
It's the broadest level of detail and it's the primary audience for that is your customer or your client. So if you're working inside a company the person on the business side of the company who's funding the project is the client or they're the customer. That person normally is a senior-level person director V.P. level President. That person is responsible for making sure that the resources are available for your group to be able to produce the solution that you need to produce. So they're the client.
At their level of detail, you're talking very broadly about the BRD - Bullet point level of what it is that the project is going to produce. And so you're BRD could be a simple couple of page document that basically outlines at a very high level what it is that the project's going to deliver that all goes into your BRD document.
The second level of detail is what I like to call the user or the operational level. So the client who's funding the project is not going to be in your requirements meetings, in most cases...
View the Full Transcript: LEARN.BA/busin...
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#businessanalysis #businessanalyst #brd #functionalspecifications

[@BABLOCKS]

Start learning business analysis today 👉 bablocks.com/start/

[@battleofhastings7586]

“No amount of philosophical debate is going to solve that problem.” Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

[@udz5480]

I am watching this and my heart keeps jumping to my mouth when your hands are off the steering wheel!

[@BABLOCKS]

Sorry for the scare. I hope you find the later videos more helpful.

[@nrravitej2498]

This is far most best simplified differentiation I head so far , you are the best and I am luckiest to hear your all explanations on your channel , thanks a ton

[@komrunfarsheed9897]

This clip, as well as few other clips of this series that I watched, are very clear and organized which is a tremendous help for a newbie in business analysis. Thank you and God Bless You!

[@BABLOCKS]

Very glad to see you found this useful Komrun.

[@estherdogimab9742]

This is a challenging topic for me. I'm so grateful that you picked up on this. It is soo true, as an emerging BA I struggle with these. I would be happy to learn more from your content.

[@BABLOCKS]

Happy to see you found this useful Esther. Thanks for your comment.

[@kamalqoshtom746]

i really like the way that you explained it with its 100% true plus you have to be visionary person and think out of the box great job

[@meddysunil]

Truly helpful, thanks for all your efforts in making such important contents.

[@ritarupadhar9826]

This is a very helpful video! Grateful for your content

[@kingcollins]

though the intention and content of the video is great, I feel its irresponsible for you to do this during driving. doesn't matter how big your confidence level is, its a huge risk for you. pls do the videos in a normal setup. thanks. I love your content btw.

[@BABLOCKS]

Thanks for the feedback King. It was a busy time and I wanted to get the knowledge out there during my drive to and from client site. The more recent videos I've produced are recorded in a controlled studio environment. Hopefully they are more useful.

[@Planiadaro]

What i understand is : BR = ways of monetization, marketing tools or any important aspect for client business model FS = how to do and what to do for achieving BR Close enough :) ?

[@BABLOCKS]

A little more like this: Business Goals: "We need to reduce the time it takes for us to process claims" Business Requirements: "The solution must provide a means of processing claims based on the automated rules..." Functional Specifications: "Rule 1: Claims of type 'minor' are simple claims and must flow through 'autmoated adjudication'." Now, the differnce between a BR and and FS are not always totally clear. Where you draw the line depends on how much time you have and how much detail your customers are willing to tolerate in the BRD. Does this make it a little more clear?

[@IWouldEat]

When translating business requirements into detailed technical specifications I used BRD for business requirements and Solution Design Documents for the technical specifications. Is that correct? My project requires gathering requirements and then translating them into specific actions to inform development activities to produce functional design artifacts. another

[@udayradhe6537]

Great Explanation! I have to focus on your driving, not advisable to record while driving. 🙂

[@BABLOCKS]

Thanks for the input uday. I was doing my best to get the knowledge out there during my drive to and from client site. The more recent videos I've produced are recorded in a controlled studio environment. Hopefully they are more useful.

[@udayradhe6537]

@@BABLOCKS Great to hear that. Love your videos.

[@amzstrydom6078]

I have been going through a few of your videos, and I am thoroughly enjoying the content. When attempting to become a member of bablocks it seems this is not currently available. Kindly advise when memberships may become available, as well as when courses may become available (also not currently available) as I am really keen to leverage from your materials for my growth and learning as a Business Analyst.

[@BABLOCKS]

Hi Amz, our community will re-open in early 2023. You'll receive an email if you've signed up for the waiting list. Thanks for stopping by the channel.

[@krishnagb1674]

Nice explanation

[@youvegotmail9385]

This video makes me very uncomfortable, however, still very helpful. ;)

[@ajitvikrambhargava8824]

i was asked the difference between BRD,FRD AND SRS....

[@BABLOCKS]

Were you successful in making the differentiation?

[@saweranabi7786]

During Driving is it allowed to demanstrate in Vedio. ???

[@BABLOCKS]

Hi Sawera, it's allowed but judging from the other comments on this video, it seems like some viewers didn't like the distractions. Thanks for the feedback King. The more recent videos I've produced are recorded in a controlled studio environment. Hopefully they are more useful for you.

[@saweranabi7786]

@@BABLOCKS 👍

[@CodePlusPoint]

CAN WE CONVERT BUSINESS REQ DOC. DOCUMENT TO FUNCTIONAL REQ DOC. DOCUMENT USING NLP OR ANY OTHER MECHANISMS, PLEASE HELP

[@BABLOCKS]

Hi Abdul. There is no automated way to convert one document to another. This is a core part of what a BA is expected to do.

[@phanindra4700]

I am very worried. Did u reach home safe after this video.

[@BABLOCKS]

I did reach home safely. Thanks for checking in Phanindra. The more recent videos I've produced are recorded in a controlled studio environment. Hopefully they are more useful for you.

[@phanindra4700]

@@BABLOCKS will check that.. Keep doing the great work..

[@hemlataprajapati9001]

Really, the entire focus is going over the side cars. The content is good, but all background is making the video disturbing,....

[@BABLOCKS]

I hope I didn't scare you too much Hemlata. It was a busy time and I wanted to get the knowledge out there during my drive to and from client site. The more recent videos I've produced are recorded in a controlled studio environment. Hopefully they are more useful for you.

[@hemlataprajapati1538]

@@BABLOCKS appreciate 😊

[@aratiparajuli2188]

Can't focus.. you are not a great example... you might be very busy person and very helpful, but the distraction is high due to the vehicles on the road , the noise and concern about your safety!

[@BABLOCKS]

Hi Arati, yes I was working on a client engagement at the time and had to make use of my time to and from client site at the time. The later videos are filmed inside a controlled studio environment with no distractions. I hope those ones are more useful for you.

[@umamaheswararaoputrevu2673]

hey do not make videos while driving bacause your safety is top priority and we donot want to lose expert in BA Skills

[@BABLOCKS]

Thanks for the well wishes. The more recent videos I've produced are recorded in a controlled studio environment. Hopefully they are more useful.