Prerequirement

Prerequirement is a noun used to describe a condition or requirement that must be satisfied before another action, project, or requirement can occur or be considered. The term is relatively uncommon in formal writing, and many settings prefer the more established term prerequisite. When prerequirement is used, it often refers to an enabling condition rather than a standalone objective.

In practice, prerequirements appear in several domains. In education, some sources describe prerequirements as conditions that must be met before enrolling in a course, though most institutions use the term prerequisite. In software and systems engineering, a prerequirement can denote a condition that must exist before a specific requirement can be implemented or validated, such as having a stable baseline configuration before functional requirements are pursued. In project management, prerequirements can refer to dependencies or prerequisites that must be addressed before a task or milestone can begin.

Nuance and usage are important: a prerequirement is typically broader than a single course or task and emphasizes an enabling or foundational condition that makes a requirement meaningful or attainable. It is distinct, though sometimes synonymous with prerequisite or dependency, depending on the context and terminology standards of the field.

See also: prerequisite, dependency, enabling condition, requirements engineering. Etymology-wise, prerequirement combines pre- with requirement, signaling a condition that precedes a main requirement. In formal documentation, it is often clearer to use prerequisites or dependencies to avoid ambiguity.