subrequirement

A subrequirement is a more granular and specific requirement that breaks down a larger, higher-level requirement into smaller, more manageable parts. In essence, it is a child requirement of a parent requirement. Subrequirements are essential in complex projects where a broad objective needs to be defined with greater detail to ensure clear understanding and implementation.

The purpose of defining subrequirements is to reduce ambiguity, improve testability, and facilitate more precise planning and tracking. When a high-level requirement is too vague or encompasses multiple distinct functionalities, breaking it down into subrequirements allows stakeholders to focus on specific aspects. Each subrequirement should be clearly defined, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) to the extent possible.

For example, a high-level requirement like "The system shall allow users to manage their profiles" could be broken down into subrequirements such as "The system shall allow users to update their email address," "The system shall allow users to change their password," and "The system shall allow users to upload a profile picture." This decomposition makes it easier for developers to implement each part and for testers to verify that each specific function works as intended. Subrequirements are a fundamental concept in requirements engineering across various disciplines, including software development, systems engineering, and project management.