What is a business requirement document?
A business requirements document (BRD) outlines a new business plan or project. It describes the problem the business is trying to solve through the proposed project or expansion and necessary outcomes for success. Often, BRDs serve two roles: 1) a thorough plan for the project, detailing costs, implementation strategies, benefits, benchmarks and timeline, and 2) a contract between the operating company and any vendors or partners associated with the project, once all collaborators have given approval.
Related: Managerial Requirements and Responsibilities: Key Skills
Components of a business requirements document
BRDs can vary from industry to industry in terms of structure and addenda, and they tend to share the same foundational components.
- Project overview: The project overview, often written once the full BRD is complete, provides a description of the project’s vision, objectives and context.
- Factors for success: The objectives describe what needs to happen for the project to be successful.
- Scope of project: The project scope explains what is a part of the project and what is not a part of the project.
- Collaborator information: This section lists all contact information for all involved collaborators.
- Project requirements: Include a list of all the necessary resources to complete the project.
- Project constraints and assumptions: Describe any potential limiting factors to the project.
- Financial statements: The financial statements provide information on both funding the project and potential revenue after its completion.
- Timeline: Include a timeline and schedule for the project.
- Personnel needs: This describes any hiring needs and associated resources.
- Cost and benefit: This section provides a clear breakdown of all the project costs and a cost-benefit analysis for the project.
How to write a BRD
To write an effective business requirements document, follow these steps.
1. Collect information
Begin by collecting information and data about the product you hope to create and the scope of the project necessary to reach your objective. Once you have all the information needed to create a realistic plan, make a document with the information thoughtfully organized for later review as you put the actual business requirements document together.
2. Describe the product
Thoroughly describe the product or objective that will result from the project. Include not only its attributes but also how it will help solve customer problems and fill a need in the marketplace. If you have prototypes or drawings, include these in the description.
3. Define the project
Consider each necessary step to move from the development of the business requirements plan to project completion. Discuss the scope of the project with all collaborators so that your project definition and description are as accurate as possible.
4. Identify phases
Review the project scope you created and identify distinct phases if necessary. Depending on the complexity and length of the project, setting phase-end objectives along the path to full project completion can help keep everyone involved focused and on task.
5. Complete the template
Use a business requirements template to flesh out the rest of your project details, including personnel needs, financial documentation, assumptions and other important project information. Include your project definition and step-by-step phases in the template.
6. Share it with collaborators and revise
Send the draft of your business requirements document to collaborators for review and feedback. Add necessary information, make suggested changes and update any other document elements as needed. Once it’s been approved by all collaborators, it can function as a contract.
Business requirements document template
Business requirements documents are lengthy and include a substantial amount of information. Use this section template to help you organize your BRD and ensure you’ve included all the necessary elements.
SUMMARY STATEMENT
[Summarize the project and expected outcomes.]
PROJECT OBJECTIVE
[Explain why the project is necessary.]
PROJECT SCOPE
[Explain the scope of the project.]
SUCCESS FACTORS
[List the necessary factors for project success.]
COLLABORATORS
[Provide a list of all project collaborators.]
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
[Provide financial statements related to the project].
PROJECT REQUIREMENTS
[List the necessary elements to complete the project.]
CONSTRAINTS AND ASSUMPTIONS
[List potential challenges and assumptions about the project.]
PERSONNEL NEEDS
[List any additional personnel needs.]
TIMELINE
[Provide a timeline for all phases of the project.]
COST AND BENEFIT
[Provide the total projected cost of the project and the cost-benefit analysis.]
Business Requirements Document Templates for PDF & Word
Use these business requirements document templates to help you identify deadlines and answer questions for all stakeholders.
*Indeed provides these examples as a courtesy to users of this site. Please note that we are not your HR or legal adviser, and none of these documents reflect current labor or employment regulations.
