The foundation of your product is going to be the mobile app requirements document. This outlines the business logic, lists the technical specifications and it helps guide the team from the early stage to the final product.
Your Business Requirements
To meet organizational objectives, you need business requirements. These will outline how the solution or product is going to address the needs of your company and the users.
There are certain considerations that need to be included when mapping out requirements for the document such as:
• What do you want to accomplish with the product?
• What is the purpose of your product?
• What problems will the product solve?
• How will it improve or streamline current processes or create a new process?
• What is the vision for the product?
• What is already in place and what will you need to add? Can you use existing assets or do you need to start the app from the ground up?
• What type of functionality will the app have?
• What are the needed features of the app?
• What is the business model or monetization?
• Will you need to follow certain guidelines or branding?
• Do you have a feasible ask?
Technical and Product Requirements
The technical and product requirements outline the technical and systemic needs for the product to achieve the right functionalities and desired features.
The following needs to be determined in the mobile apps document:
• What platform is needed such as iOS or Android?
• What versions of the operating system will be supported?
• What are current servers, services and databases?
• What are current maintenance needs and will you need to offer support in the future?
• How long will the app function before it needs to be overhauled
• Do you have the current documentation for API/services?
• Do you have Google, Apple, other accounts or credentials?
• What are your existing provisioning profiles, if any?
• Are there any other credentials that exist or will be needed?
The Dependencies
Dependencies are anything the product team or product has to rely on to meet objectives. This can include:
• Hardware that the app will communicate with or run on
• API/service documentation
• Credentials for accounts and profiles
• Third part software that the app relies on
• Documents, flowcharts, or other information that’s related to the product
The Assumptions
In the very early stages there are assumptions about the product which we think are true. These are based upon experience, knowledge, or recent information which may include:
• Assumptions we have about the user such as the % of users that will see value in the product and then become a regular user
• The technical assumptions such as a technical requirement that A will work on a recent operating system
• The business assumptions such as making the product within a specified timeframe
The Constraints
Limitations that the team must work with are the constraints. These are usually time, budget and scope. Other aspects like resources/staff, risk tolerance and quality requirements may also be included.
The Submission
The mobile app requirements document should include the technical assets and the information which is required to get into the app store. By defining these requirements you’ll expedite the submission process when your product is ready for its release.
What You Need to Keep in Mind
Here are some considerations and tips to be aware of for the mobile apps requirement document:
• The requirements document needs to be high-level. The product will most likely evolve and change as new information is available.
• You don’t need too much detail. You have to have a flexible requirements document so don’t draw out the document too much before the engineering actually begins. An intricate document will likely have to be changed as your project progresses and this wastes resources and time.
• You need input to build the requirements. Take advantage of the insight and experience of your team.
The goal of creating a mobile app requirements document is to have a foundation for a successful product. By mapping out the dependencies, technical, business requirements, assumptions, constraints, and submission assets, you give the team all it needs to get the project off and running.