Answer:
a. i) Difference between Software Requirement and Requirement Engineering:
Software Requirement:
Software requirements are specifications that describe what a software system must do to fulfill the needs of its users and stakeholders. These requirements serve as the foundation for software development and help in guiding the design, implementation, and testing of the software. They can be categorized into functional requirements (what the software should do) and non-functional requirements (qualities the software should possess).
Requirement Engineering:
Requirement engineering is the systematic and disciplined process of gathering, documenting, analyzing, and managing software requirements. It involves identifying stakeholders, understanding their needs, and transforming these needs into detailed and unambiguous requirements that can be used by the development team. Requirement engineering encompasses the entire lifecycle of requirements, including elicitation, analysis, specification, validation, and management.
ii) Four Main Requirement Engineering Processes:
1. Elicitation: This process involves gathering information from stakeholders to understand their needs and expectations. Techniques such as interviews, surveys, workshops, and observations are used to collect requirements. The goal is to ensure that all relevant requirements are identified.
2. Analysis: Once requirements are collected, they need to be analyzed for consistency, completeness, and feasibility. Conflicts or ambiguities are resolved, and requirements are refined to ensure they are well-defined and understandable.
3. Specification: In this phase, the requirements are documented in a clear and structured manner. This includes creating requirement documents, use cases, user stories, and other artifacts that communicate what the software should do.
4. Validation: Requirements are validated to ensure they accurately represent the needs of stakeholders. This involves checking if the requirements meet quality criteria, are feasible, and align with the overall goals of the project. Validation helps prevent misunderstandings and errors later in the development process.
b. i. Software Project Management:
Software project management involves planning, organizing, and controlling the resources and activities required to deliver a software project successfully. It encompasses various processes to ensure that the project is completed on time, within budget, and with the desired quality. Key aspects of software project management include:
- Project Planning: Defining project objectives, scope, deliverables, schedules, and resource allocation. Planning helps set a clear direction for the project and establishes the framework for execution.
- Risk Management: Identifying potential risks that could impact the project's success, analyzing their likelihood and impact, and developing strategies to mitigate or respond to them.
- Resource Management: Allocating and managing resources such as human resources, tools, equipment, and budget to ensure efficient project execution.
- Monitoring and Control: Tracking project progress, comparing it to the project plan, and making necessary adjustments to keep the project on track. This involves measuring performance, managing changes, and ensuring quality.
- Communication: Establishing effective communication channels among project stakeholders to ensure everyone is informed about the project's status, progress, and any issues.
- Team Collaboration: Fostering a collaborative and productive environment among team members to promote teamwork, creativity, and innovation.
- Documentation: Creating and maintaining documentation throughout the project lifecycle, including requirements, design, testing, and user documentation.
- Closure and Evaluation: Conducting a thorough evaluation of the project upon completion, including lessons learned, feedback from stakeholders, and the overall project's success. This information is used to improve future projects.
Software project management is essential for delivering projects successfully by ensuring effective planning, execution, and control of all project activities.