Description
During the Requirements Analysis Phase, the business (project in-scope) requirements that were previously documented in an earlier phase are revalidated and further analyzed and decomposed into high-level system (functional and non-functional) requirements that define the automated system/application in more detail with regard to inputs, processes, outputs, and interfaces. If appropriate, a logical depiction of the data entities, relationships and attributes of the system/application is also created. During the Requirements Analysis Phase, the initial strategy for testing and implementation is also begun. In addition, the work planned for future phases is redefined, if necessary, based on information acquired during the Requirements Analysis Phase. The Requirements Analysis Phase ends with a review to determine readiness to proceed to the Design Phase.

Detailed application requirements (both functional and non-functional) are required to permit detailed project management planning, execution and control. If detailed requirements and subsequent planning identify a breach of the investment-level cost, schedule or performance baselines established at the end of the planning phase, a formal change to the Investment Baselines will be requested. The purpose of acquisition planning in the Requirements Analysis Phase is to allocate the requirements among development segments, research and apply lessons learned from previous projects, develop a schedule that lists activities for completion and work products to be produced with appropriate estimated completion dates, identify potential product and service providers, and award contracts.

Responsibilities
Project Manager: The Project Manager is responsible and accountable for the successful planning and execution of the Requirements Analysis Phase. The Project Manager is responsible for leading the Integrated Project Team that accomplishes the Phase tasks and deliverables.

Integrated Project Team: The Integrated Project Team members (regardless of the organization of permanent assignment) are responsible for accomplishing assigned tasks as directed by the Project Manager.

Contracting Officer: The Contracting Officer is responsible and accountable for preparing solicitation documents under the guidance of the Project Manager and Head of Contracting Activity.

Critical Partners: The Critical Partners provide oversight, advice and counsel to the Project Manager to ensure that the Requirements Document addresses relevant standards. Additionally, Critical Partners provide information, judgments, and recommendations during the Requirements Review.

• Enterprise Architecture: Find out if requirements provide a suitable basis for subsequent design activities and all service components have been appropriately identified. Determine if technologies and other requirements are consistent with the Enterprise Architecture. Identify relevant technical and/or service standards that will apply to or constrain solution design and development activities.

• Security: Ensure that an assessment of the required security controls has been completed and determine if requirements reflect alignment with established security standards including the FIPS-199 Categorization and Accreditation Boundary.

• Acquisition: Review acquisition planning to ensure it includes necessary requirements analysis, alternatives analysis, and procurement and contract award plans. Ensure that there is sufficient information to make management decisions and evaluate vendor proposals.

• Budget: Ascertain if requirements are in accord with investment-level cost baselines established at the end of the Planning Phase or a formal change to the Investment Baselines has been requested.

• Finance: Determine if financial management requirements are in accordance with requirements established at the end of the Planning Phase or a formal change to the Investment Baselines has been requested.

• HR: By reviewing an update of the Project Management Plan, ascertain if staffing and organizational requirements have been fully documented.

• Section 508: Make certain that the requirements for applicable Section 508 standards have been identified.

• CPIC: Determine if the Requirements document contains a traceability matrix that is complete and plans are complete to track technical changes. Establish that the Business Process Models and Logical Data Models are documented at the proper level.

• Performance: Determine if the requirements are in accordance with investment-level performance baselines established at the end of the Planning Phase or a formal change to the Investment Baselines has been requested.

Activities
The tasks described below are performed during the Requirements Analysis Phase:

• Requirements elicitation is done during sessions with the users.

• Business needs are consolidated and affirmed. The functional requirements and the data requirements are then consolidated. The functional requirements are connected to the data requirements.

• The Requirements Document (RD) is a record of the above requirements. This can be established as a matrix and tracked for satisfaction of every module of the system as development progresses.

• Documentation from prior phases may need to be revised or updated.

• The following activities are performed as part of the Requirements Analysis Phase. The results of these activities are captured in the Acquisition Plan, which also requires additional items not covered by this list:

  • Requirements Analysis

  • Analysis of Alternatives

  • Procurement of Government Human Resources and Services

  • Procurement Plan

  • Acquisition of Contractor Services

  • Solicitation of Services

  • Technical Evaluation Report

  • Source Selection Recommendation

  • Contract Award

  • Adjustment of Funds

  • Contract Performance

• The Acquisition Plan should provide adequate information to enable the following actions:

  • Making management decisions concerning procurement of government human resources and services (MOUs and SLAs) and contractor services procurement, including ensuring the availability of funding.

  • Performing a technical analysis and evaluation of vendor proposals.

  • Vendors' bid preparation.

  • The Source Selection Official to base a selection.

The Acquisition Plan becomes critical after the Requirements Document has been approved. Several acquisitions may be needed to procure an entire system and are a continuous part of the life cycle. The Acquisition Plan is continuously updated with the active involvement of the Investment Manager and Contracting Officer.

Exit Criteria
Objective: To determine if the project requirements have been defined sufficiently to be translated into the Business Product.

Phase Specific Exit Criteria:

• The initial test strategy is defined.

• Requirements have been grouped and sufficiently detailed so that they can be tested once the product is developed.

• Process and Data Models are defined adequately for product design.

Generic Exit Criteria:

• Variances from baselines have been identified and mitigated. [Cost and schedule variances and scope changes are identified, significant variances are explained, and Corrective Action Plans (CAPs) or rebaseline requests are in place as appropriate.]

• Investment baselines have been reviewed and revised as appropriate. [Should this investment continue as-is, be modified, or be terminated based on current knowledge?]

• The Project Management Plan and component plans have been reviewed and appropriately updated. [This includes Risk Management, Acquisition Strategy, Change Management, Configuration Management, Project Categorization, Requirements Management, Communication Plan, WBS/Schedule, IV&V Planning, Quality Assurance, Records Management, Staff Development Plan and Security Approach.]

Project Review
The Requirements Review is conducted to verify that the requirements are complete, accurate, consistent and problem-free; to evaluate the responsiveness of the requirements to the business requirements; to ensure that the requirements are a suitable basis for subsequent design activities; to ensure traceability within the requirements and between the design documents; and to affirm final agreement regarding the content of the Requirements Document. Upon successful completion of this review, the Requirements Document is baselined.

Stage Gate Review
The Requirements Analysis Stage Gate Review considers whether the project should proceed to the Design Phase.