Which characteristic must requirements possess?

Requirements must be testable to ensure that they can be validated and verified against the expectations and needs of stakeholders. Testable requirements provide clear criteria for assessing whether the delivered product meets the specified standards and outcomes. This characteristic enables teams to create measurable objectives and ultimately allows stakeholders to confirm that the project delivers the desired value.

When requirements are testable, they can be evaluated through specific conditions or scenarios. This assists in identifying whether the requirements have been adequately fulfilled during the development process, making them instrumental in quality assurance.

In contrast, vague and open-to-interpretation requirements can lead to misunderstandings and misalignment between stakeholders and developers. Requirements that are aligned solely with developer preferences do not consider the needs and expectations of users or other stakeholders, jeopardizing the potential value of the product. Lastly, finalizing requirements without room for changes can hinder adaptability and responsiveness to evolving needs, which is contrary to the principles of agile and customer-focused development methodologies.