Problems in Requirements Communication

Abstract

Requirements specifications are based on domain knowledge be it technical, functional, administrative or social. Ideally, the requirements team members are selectively recruited so that both the levels and distribution of knowledge within the team cover all aspects of the domain. However, this is seldom the case because of knowledge shortfalls such as the thin spread of application domain knowledge in most organizations [Curtis88]. “In general, individual team members do not have all the knowledge required for the project and must acquire additional information before accomplishing productive work” [Walz93]. Knowledge acquisition and sharing can only be achieved through effective communication between the various stakeholders.