Requirements in Pictures

If you’re involved with creating product requirements, especially for software, you may need to provide some form of visual representation of the features you’re working on.   While it is possible to define the functionality in terms of Use Cases and supplementary flow diagrams, comprehension is going to be significantly enhanced with some pictures illustrating a form of user interface.

These can be simple modifications to existing product screens or a complete wireframe sequence for new capabilities.   In addition, it’s becoming increasingly important to begin testing both your product concept and possible solutions with real users before you write one line of code, even in Agile. 

Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) is quickly gaining credibility and market share against traditional packaged software.  This presents new opportunities for product groups and also new challenges to teams used to developing packaged software.    This article provides an overview of SaaS, how it differs from packaged software and specific new areas of focus from an end-to-end product perspective required to ensure a successful service.