What do requirements specifications establish?

Requirements specifications are crucial in software development as they provide a detailed description of what the software must accomplish. This documentation serves as a reference point for both the development team and stakeholders, ensuring that there is a mutual understanding of the software's expected functionalities and features. By clearly outlining functional and non-functional requirements, specifications help in aligning developers' work with the stakeholders' expectations, which is vital for project success.

Establishing a basis for agreement on software functionality helps to minimize misunderstandings and miscommunication, ultimately leading to a more efficient development process. This alignment also aids in making informed decisions during the project lifecycle about scope changes and feature prioritization.

While testing criteria, budgets, and delivery timelines are all essential parts of software development, they stem from and rely on the clarity and detail provided in the requirements specifications. These elements can only be effectively developed when the foundational functionality expectations are clearly articulated and agreed upon.