20 Functional Requirements Interview Questions and Answers

Functional requirements are an important part of any software development project. They define what a system should do and how it should behave. When interviewing for a position that involves developing software, you can expect to be asked questions about how you would go about defining the functional requirements for a project. In this article, we discuss some common functional requirements interview questions and how to answer them.

Functional Requirements Interview Questions and Answers

Here are 20 commonly asked Functional Requirements interview questions and answers to prepare you for your interview:

1. What are functional requirements?

Functional requirements are those that describe what a system is supposed to do. They are usually expressed in terms of inputs, outputs, and processes. For example, a functional requirement for a word processor might be that it take text input and allow the user to format it in various ways.

2. How do you document functional requirements?

Functional requirements are typically documented using a functional specification document. This document outlines the specific functionality that is required of the system being developed. It is important to be as specific as possible when documenting functional requirements, as this will help to ensure that the system meets the needs of the users.

3. What is the difference between a functional requirement and a business rule?

A functional requirement is a specific statement of how a system should work. A business rule is a general guideline that governs how a business operates.

4. Can you explain what use cases are in context with functional requirements?

A use case is a specific goal or task that a user or system aims to achieve. In the context of functional requirements, a use case is a specific functionality that the system must be able to perform in order to meet the user’s needs. For example, a functional requirement for a e-commerce system might be that the system must be able to allow users to add items to their shopping cart.

5. Why are functional requirements important to software development projects?

Functional requirements are important because they help to define what a piece of software is supposed to do. Without well-defined functional requirements, it can be difficult for developers to create a product that meets the needs of the customer or client. Functional requirements can also help to identify potential risks and issues early on in the development process, which can save time and money in the long run.

6. What’s an example of a good functional requirement?

A functional requirement is a statement of how a system, software, or component should behave. A good functional requirement is one that is clear, concise, and easy to understand. It should also be specific enough to be testable. For example, a functional requirement for a login system might be “The system shall allow users to login with a valid username and password.”

7. Can you give me some examples of bad functional requirements?

There are a few different types of bad functional requirements. One type is when the requirements are too vague or too specific. For example, a requirement that is too specific might say “the system shall allow the user to input their name in the format ‘First Last'” while a requirement that is too vague might say “the system shall be user friendly”. Another type of bad functional requirement is when the requirements are not testable. For example, a requirement might say “the system shall be easy to use” but it is not clear how you would test for that.

8. How do you distinguish between requirements and specifications?

Requirements are what the system must do, while specifications are how the system will do it. In other words, requirements are the functionality that the system must provide, while specifications detail how that functionality will be implemented.

9. Can you explain what non-functional requirements are?

Non-functional requirements are those that do not relate directly to the functionality of the system being developed, but rather to the quality or performance of that system. For example, a non-functional requirement for a software system might be that it be able to handle a certain number of users concurrently, or that it have a certain level of security.

10. What are some common types of non-functional requirements?

Some common types of non-functional requirements are performance requirements, security requirements, and usability requirements. Performance requirements might dictate how fast a system needs to be in order to be effective, while security requirements might dictate what kind of security measures need to be in place in order to protect data. Usability requirements, on the other hand, deal with how easy it is for users to interact with the system and understand its purpose.

11. What is the difference between functional requirements and non-functional requirements?

Functional requirements are those that describe what a system is supposed to do, while non-functional requirements are those that describe how a system is supposed to do it. In other words, functional requirements are the “what” of a system, while non-functional requirements are the “how.”

12. What factors should be taken into account when writing functional requirements?

When writing functional requirements, you should consider the system’s purpose, what the system should do, how the system should do it, and any constraints that may be placed on the system. Additionally, you should ensure that the requirements are clear, concise, and achievable.

13. What is the role of acceptance criteria in functional requirements?

Acceptance criteria are the specific conditions that a software product must meet in order to be accepted by the customer. These criteria are generally derived from the customer’s needs and expectations, and they provide a clear and measurable way to determine whether or not the software meets the customer’s requirements.

14. Where does user experience fit in the creation of functional requirements?

User experience should be considered when creating functional requirements as it can help to ensure that the requirements are user-friendly and easy to use. If the functional requirements are difficult to use or understand, then users may have a negative experience with the product. Therefore, it is important to consider user experience when creating functional requirements.

15. Can you explain the differences between functional, behavioral, and non-functional requirements?

Functional requirements are those that describe what a system is supposed to do, while behavioral requirements are those that describe how the system is supposed to behave. Non-functional requirements are those that don’t fall into either of those categories, such as performance or security requirements.

16. According to your understanding, what makes a good functional requirement?

A good functional requirement should be clear, concise, and easy to understand. It should also be specific enough that it can be implemented by a developer, and it should be testable to ensure that it has been met.

17. How can a functioal requirement be validated?

A functional requirement can be validated through a number of methods, including interviews, surveys, focus groups, and usability testing. By conducting these activities, you can ensure that the functional requirement meets the needs of the users.

18. How are functional requirements prioritized?

Functional requirements are typically prioritized according to how important they are to the overall functioning of the system. The most important requirements are typically given the highest priority, while less important requirements are given lower priorities.

19. What is the Agile approach to creating functional requirements?

The Agile approach to creating functional requirements is to start with a broad understanding of what the system needs to do, and then to gradually add more and more detail as the project progresses. This allows for a more flexible and responsive approach to requirements gathering, as the team can adapt the requirements as they learn more about the project and the user needs.

20. What are the main stages involved in creating functional requirements?

The main stages involved in creating functional requirements are:

1. Identify the purpose of the system.
2. Identify the stakeholders and their needs.
3. Identify the functions the system needs to perform.
4. Create use cases to describe the system’s functionality.
5. Create a requirements document that captures all the requirements.