Determine System Requirements

The system requirements stage is where you examine the system functions and user interface needed, along with the interface, communications, hardware, and software requirements. This should be the first time in the planning process that you examine software and hardware products.

By reviewing the information product descriptions, you will summarize the functions needed to produce them. Issues of interface design, effective communications (particularly in distributed systems), and appropriate hardware and software configurations should also be considered during this planning phase.