Definition
A statement of what users must be able to locate, recognize, understand, select or input as part of performing a task with the interactive system.
(CPUX-UR – Curriculum (Version 1.3, June 2016))
Notes
1. Qualitative user requirements are the basis for efficient use of the interactive system. In contrast, quantitative user requirements can enable the efficiency of the interactive system to be measured – that is, whether users can solve particular tasks with the interactive system, e.g. in an acceptable time or with a specified maximum number of use errors.
2. Qualitative user requirements are not features. They provide the basis for features.
3. For each qualitative user requirement, it must be possible to trace it back to the underlying user needs and corresponding context of use information (“Traceability”). […]
4. Qualitative user requirements are specified with the aid of the following elements:
- User group
- Type of usage (recognise, select, input)
- Special condition(s) of the context of use for which the user requirement is relevant
5. Sources of qualitative user requirements
- The direct source is always one or more user needs.
- Indirect sources:
- Human-centred quality objectives
- Legal / regulatory requirements
- Market requirements
- Organisational requirements
- Requests
- Identified or anticipated problems with usage
- Dialogue principles and heuristics that are used for the specification of user requirements
(CPUX-UR – Curriculum (Version 1.3, June 2016))
Example in SAMS Context
(User Storie Format) As a Beekeeper I want to see the recommended date of my next honey harvest so that I can avoid disturbing the bees unnecessarily. (from UN005)
Source:
| User Group | Context of Use | Task (Describing present situation without the future system) | User Need (in scope of the future System – independent of the technical solution) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beekeeper | In order to know if there is enough honey to have a profitable harvest, the beekeeper needs to open the hive regularly. Every time he opens the hive, the bees are disturbed. The beekeeper is in danger to get stings……….. |
(T001) Open the hive to see if there is enough honey in the hive to harvest. | (UN005) The beekeeper needs information about the best time of harvest. (from T001) |