Product Requirements Document: What is it and What is Included?

How do you make sure that each feature you want is included in the finished product as you're creating one? For this reason, having a project requirements document (PRD) is critical. It informs every member of the product team of this information. But nobody likes creating long, massive product requirements documents with a lot of detail. As it happens, nobody enjoys using them either.

A thorough planning and an extensive amount of research are needed to build a successful product. A product requirements document (PRD) is frequently the first step for product managers.

What is a Product Requirements Document?

A product requirements document specifies the features, effectiveness, purpose, target audience, ultimate user benefit, and performance of the product you will create.  The PRD will serve as a reference for later documents in the release process and contains all information required for a release to be declared complete.

The product requirements document has a top-down structure, meaning that it begins with a broad picture and outlines the general goals that need to be achieved. The elements that realize that vision are then linked to the aims of the product.  Additionally, information is provided regarding the product's appearance and how end customers will interact with it.

Inclusions in Your Product Requirements Document

Using a common template when developing a requirements document allows the team to collaborate and provide input on the work as it is being done.  One of the most important phases in project planning is creating a product requirements document. However, what's included in a PRD and how is one made?  Details on each capability needed for the release must also be included.

Although every project is unique, it is beneficial to outline the elements of a product requirements document that are common to all of your products.  Here are the essential elements that you include in your product requirements document:

1. Overview Project Features

‍This overview of the product serves as a breakdown in the product requirement document.

• Participants: Who takes part in this? Add the stakeholders, team, and product owner.
• Status: How is the program doing right now? Deferred, postponed, on schedule, at risk, etc.
• Target release: What is the estimated date of delivery?

2. Specify Goals and Objectives

‍Describe your goals the reason behind making this project and what you want to achieve from it. You can use the SMART technique: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.

3. Clarify Dependencies

‍Are there any known situations or resources that the product will need or depend on?  Example: A step-tracker may require Google Maps to track a person's walking distance.

4. Note Assumptions & Constraints

‍Assumptions are whatever you anticipate to exist but aren't certain about.  For example, you assume all users are literate in using Google Maps.  Constraints suggest something that the final execution will not do, whether it is a technical or financial limitation.

5. Describe Background & Strategic Fit

‍Describe any concerns or challenges that will be resolved by the project across its entire life cycle.  How well your product fits into the organization's broader business plan is referred to as its strategic fit.

6. Outline Scope: User Stories & Requirements

‍User stories, which provide a broad description of features from the viewpoint of the user, are the foundation for this.  The project's scope lists every feature that will be produced for the final product.

7. Track Success Metrics

‍Point out your accomplishments and shortcomings to the team to keep them concentrated on the task at hand. Mark items that are not currently within the scope but may be at a later date.

Product requirements document should be viewed by the team as just one method of defining and communicating client problems, regardless of how they are created.