Business Requirements Document: why and how to write a BRD?

A successful project always starts with solid planning, and at the heart of that planning is often a BRD, or Business Requirements Document. But what is a BRD, and why is it so important?

In this article, we'll explore in detail what a BRD is, its crucial role in project management, its key components, and how to create one effectively.

You will also find out how SolidPepper PIM software can simplify the creation and management of a BRD, by centralizing all your product data and by facilitating collaboration between your teams.

Take advantage of our practical tips for writing a professional and comprehensive BRD.

What is a Business Requirements Document (BRD

One BRD (Business Requirements Document), or business requirements document, is an indispensable tool in project management. It serves as detailed reference guide which describes several aspects that are essential to the success of a project.

The objectives of the BRD

The BRD aims to:

• Clearly define the goals of the project : This document identifies what the project needs to accomplish to meet business needs.
• Identify business needs : It compiles all business needs, whether functional or non-functional, to ensure nothing is omitted.
• Describe specific requirements : These requirements are the foundation on which the development and management teams will rely to execute the project.

Why is it important?

Its main purpose is toalign all stakeholders around a common vision. Thanks to this document, each actor in the project, whether business or technical teams, has a clear and shared roadmap. This minimizes misunderstandings, clarifies expectations, and ensures effective collaborative work.

In summary, BRD is a key element in ensuring the structure and coherence of any project, while providing a transparent and organized framework to achieve the objectives set.

Why write a BRD?

• Stakeholder alignment : The BRD eliminates ambiguities by clearly defining expectations and goals.
• Communication tool : It acts as a bridge between business and technical teams.
• Risk reduction : With formalized requirements, it becomes easier to avoid mistakes and misunderstandings.
• Basis for planning : The BRD guides the entire life cycle of the project.

Importance of BRD in a project

A well-written BRD has a direct impact on the success of the project. It ensures that all team members and stakeholders understand and share the same goals. In addition, it serves as an official document for resolving conflicts or clarifying expectations at any stage of development.

The Key Components of a BRD

To write an effective BRD, it is essential to know its main components. Here are the typical elements that a good BRD should include:

1. Project Background

• Brief description of the organization and overall goals : The XYZ organization is a key player in the technology sector, specializing in the provision of software solutions. The project aims to develop an innovative digital platform to improve the user experience and optimize internal processes.
• Summary of current challenges : Currently, the organization is facing operational inefficiencies, a lack of personalization in user services, and a difficulty in integrating new technologies into its existing processes.

2. Business Objectives

• What the company seeks to achieve through the project :
• Increase revenue by 20% by the end of the following year through a better user experience.
• Reduce operational costs by 15% by automating repetitive tasks.
• Improve organizational efficiency by integrating efficient collaborative tools.

3. Functional requirements

• Key feature specifications :
• Develop an intuitive and responsive user interface to improve customer engagement.
• Set up a centralized database for quick and accurate access to information.
• Integrate a real-time reporting system to facilitate decision making.

4. Non-functional requirements

• Technical requirements :
• Ensure enhanced security with protocols for encrypting sensitive data.
• Guarantee optimal performance with a load time of less than 2 seconds.
• Provide easy maintenance thanks to a modular and documented architecture.

5. Stakeholders

• List of people or teams involved :
• End customers: those who will use the platform for their daily needs.
• Product team: in charge of defining and monitoring functionalities.
• Project managers: responsible for planning and execution.
• Partners: third party providers for specific integrations, such as payment tools.

6. Dependencies and Constraints

• External or internal factors influencing the project :
• Dependencies: integration with existing systems such as ERP or CRM.
• Constraints: a budget limited to X euros and a delivery time fixed at 6 months.
• Compliance: compliance with legal and industrial standards, such as the RGPD for the management of personal data.

The Process of Creating a BRD

Creating a BRD is an iterative process involving several steps:

Gathering Needs

Use methods like meetings, interviews or questionnaires to gather information from stakeholders. Make sure to involve all the key players so as not to miss out on essential needs and to get a global vision of the project.

Requirements analysis

Evaluate the information collected, prioritize needs, and clarify any ambiguities. This step allows raw information to be transformed into clear, detailed, and orderly requirements, thus facilitating future planning and development.

Validation with Stakeholders

Share a draft version of the BRD with stakeholders to ensure that all requirements are Included, validated and accepted before moving forward. This validation is essential to avoid misunderstandings or costly adjustments once the project is launched.

Typical structure of a BRD

To organize information in a BRD, use the following structure:

1. Cover page

Indicate the title of the project, the version of the document, the date and the author of the BRD.

2. Table of Contents

Include a table of contents to allow for easy navigation.

3. Executive summary

Provide an overview of project goals, key deliverables, and key requirements.

4. Requirements Details

Provide a comprehensive list of business and technical requirements.

5. Implementation Plan

Detail the timeline, key phases, and steps required for the success of the project.

6. Appendices

Add charts, graphs, or other supporting material to enrich the content.

Tools and Best Practices for Writing a BRD

One Effective BRD requires appropriate tools and rigorous monitoring of best practices.

Project Management Tools

Platforms like Jira, Trello, and Confluence facilitate documentation, management, and collaboration on requirements.

Methodological Approaches

Choose between methodologies like Agile or Waterfall to organize and manage your processes according to the specificities of the project.

Collaboration with Stakeholders

Keep a smooth contact involving key stakeholders from the start and throughout the project.

BRD Assessment and Validation

Once the BRD wrote, take the time to:

• Validate the Document : Verify with all stakeholders that the document fully meets their expectations.
• Review and Update : Adapt it BRD throughout the project so that it remains relevant in the face of unexpected changes.

Maximize your results with a well-written BRD

One Clear and complete BRD is an indispensable tool for any structured project. It favors the collaboration, align the expectations, and increases the chances of attainment.

Ready to work on a new project? Be sure to start with a Well structured BRD to lay the foundations for a successful project and avoid unnecessary headaches.

With the SolidPepper PIM software, centralize your product data and facilitate the management of your projects. For powerful tools and management advice, discover our additional resources !

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