Inaugurated by IN-SPACe
ISRO Registered Space Tutor
S0-SA3-0357
What is a Requirement?
Grade Level:
Pre-School – Class 2
All domains without exception
Definition
What is it?
A requirement is something that is needed or wanted. It is a condition or capability that a system, product, or service must meet to satisfy a contract, standard, specification, or other formally imposed document.
Simple Example
Quick Example
Imagine you want to buy a new school bag. Your requirement might be that it must be blue, have three compartments, and be strong enough to carry all your books. These are the things the bag needs to have for you to be happy with it.
Worked Example
Step-by-Step
Let's say your mom asks you to buy vegetables from the market.
1. First, she tells you what she needs: "I need 1 kg potatoes, 500 grams tomatoes, and fresh coriander leaves."
---
2. These are her requirements. You cannot come back with just onions or stale coriander.
---
3. You go to the shop and specifically ask for 1 kg potatoes, 500 grams tomatoes, and fresh coriander.
---
4. You check the weight and freshness before buying.
---
5. You bring exactly what was asked for. This means you met all the requirements.
Answer: You successfully bought 1 kg potatoes, 500 grams tomatoes, and fresh coriander leaves, fulfilling all the requirements.
Why It Matters
Understanding requirements is crucial because it helps us build the right things and solve the right problems. Engineers, doctors, and even chefs use requirements to make sure their work meets expectations. It's the first step in creating anything useful and successful.
Common Mistakes
MISTAKE: Confusing a 'wish' with a 'requirement' | CORRECTION: A requirement is usually something essential or formally agreed upon, not just something nice to have. Wishes are optional, requirements are mandatory.
MISTAKE: Not making requirements clear and specific | CORRECTION: Requirements must be measurable and unambiguous. Instead of 'The app should be fast,' say 'The app should load within 3 seconds.'
MISTAKE: Changing requirements frequently without discussion | CORRECTION: While requirements can evolve, frequent unmanaged changes lead to confusion and delays. Discuss and agree on changes formally.
Practice Questions
Try It Yourself
QUESTION: Your dad wants to book train tickets. What would be a key requirement for the booking to be successful? | ANSWER: The correct date of travel and destination.
QUESTION: You are making a project for your science class. Your teacher says it must be about 'renewable energy' and 'include a working model'. What are the two main requirements for your project? | ANSWER: The project must be about renewable energy AND include a working model.
QUESTION: A customer wants a new mobile phone. Their requirements are: 1. Price under Rs. 15,000. 2. Camera quality at least 48 MP. 3. Battery life of at least 4000 mAh. Which phone should they buy from these options? Phone A: Rs. 14,000, 50 MP camera, 3500 mAh battery. Phone B: Rs. 16,000, 64 MP camera, 4500 mAh battery. Phone C: Rs. 14,500, 48 MP camera, 4200 mAh battery. | ANSWER: Phone C, because it meets all three requirements.
MCQ
Quick Quiz
What is the best definition of a 'requirement'?
Something that is nice to have but not essential.
A condition or capability that must be met.
A random idea or thought.
A suggestion that can be ignored.
The Correct Answer Is:
B
A requirement is a mandatory condition or capability that must be fulfilled, not just a wish or suggestion. Option B correctly captures this core idea.
Real World Connection
In the Real World
When ISRO plans a satellite mission, they have very strict requirements for the rocket's fuel, its trajectory, and the satellite's instruments. Every part must meet specific requirements for the mission to succeed. Similarly, when you order food on Swiggy, your requirements might be 'vegetarian' and 'delivery within 30 minutes'.
Key Vocabulary
Key Terms
ESSENTIAL: absolutely necessary | SPECIFIC: clear and exact | MEASURABLE: able to be counted or judged | CAPABILITY: what something is able to do | FULFILL: to meet or satisfy a requirement
What's Next
What to Learn Next
Now that you understand what a requirement is, you can learn about 'Gathering Requirements'. This next step will teach you how people collect and understand what is needed for a project, building on your current knowledge.
