Which of the following is NOT considered an input for the stakeholder requirements definition process?

In the context of defining stakeholder requirements, it is essential to differentiate between the inputs that inform the stakeholder requirements process and those that result from it.

Stakeholder needs represent the desires and expectations of those who have a vested interest in the system, making them a primary input for establishing requirements. Source documents, which can include user manuals, prior project documentation, or relevant standards, provide vital background information to inform stakeholder needs and expectations. Project constraints, which encompass budget, timelines, and regulatory limitations, also help shape the requirements by outlining what is feasible within the project’s scope.

In contrast, system specifications are produced after stakeholder requirements are gathered and analyzed. They define the technical characteristics and criteria for the solution but do not serve as input into the stakeholder requirements definition process. Instead, these specifications are outcomes of the requirements that have been developed based on the stakeholder inputs. Understanding this distinction helps clarify why system specifications are not considered appropriate for the requirements definition phase.