A Product Requirements Document (PRD) helps to protect you from issues. And while not as common as they once were, thanks to agile practices, it can still help make sure stakeholders are aligned on the details.
So what’s the best approach to getting a PRD ready? And what do software partners look for in the document? In today’s blog, I will help take you through what to include in your PDR and the questions you need to answer to help you write it.
What is a Product Requirements Document (PRD)?
I know you’re here to learn how to write a PRD. However, having a clear idea of a PRD helps you define the goals of writing one. It also means that when you do put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) you know what should be achieved.
In short, a PRD is there to make sure everyone is on the same page before kickoff. You should be able to explain the product you want to create. This includes who its target audience is and how they will use it / how they will benefit from it. This is also known as defining the user requirements.
I will stress this should be a collaborative process. It should bring together different departments. And, it doesn’t always have to be done in-house. Potential software partners will be able to help you, offering discovery phase services to kick off your project.
How do you write a Product Requirements Document (PRD)?
In short, to write a PRD you will need to include a definition of your goals, key features, and success metrics. To help, bring together different stakeholders to help you define the scope product’s scope. A detailed PRD should include the following areas:
- Product definition
- Break the purpose down into features
- Project goals
- Assumptions and constraints
- Limit the scope of work
- List features
- Release criteria
- Metrics for success
Let’s look at each of these in more detail and break them down into questions you should be asking yourself.
1. How clearly is the product defined and why is it important?
A high-level overview of your project is essential. It should summarize your plan, clearly outlining what the product is, who will be working on it, and the stakeholders involved. Describe the purpose of the product by highlighting the problems it solves for your target audience and who will be using it. This ensures that everyone understands the product’s value, making it easier for your software partner to align their efforts and offer solutions that directly address user needs.
2. Have you broken down the purpose into specific features?
Breaking down the product’s purpose into specific features is crucial. Each feature should align with the product’s purpose. Start by setting broad themes that can span multiple years, such as API, performance, or mobile. Then, outline specific initiatives aimed at achieving these thematic goals. Break them down into further detailed feature requirements. This helps your software partner understand the direction and focus their efforts on what matters most.
3. What goals have you set for the product and why do they matter?
Setting clear, SMART goals — specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound — helps with the development process. These goals should clarify why the product benefits both the end user and the company. Additionally, cover the following areas:
- Functionality: Define the critical functionalities needed for the product to fulfill its purpose.
- Usability: Ensure the product is user-friendly and outline the scope of user testing.
- Reliability: Ensure the product can recover from failures.
- Performance: Set benchmarks for how fast the product should operate.
- Supportability: Ensure the product can be easily installed and maintained by users.
Clear goals help keep development on track and ensure the product meets its intended purpose.
4. What assumptions and constraints need to be identified?
Identify assumptions about your product development process. This can include areas such as user needs, and constraints, like new supplier dependencies. Recognizing these factors from the start sets realistic expectations for the final product. This helps your software team plan and mitigate risks and therefore, project execution.
5. How are you limiting the scope of work?
Defining the project scope is vital to prevent scope creep and keep the team focused. Clearly state what is and isn’t included in the project. This clarity helps manage expectations and ensures everyone understands the project’s boundaries. This can allow for more effective resource allocation and project management.
6. What are the key features of the product and how are they detailed?
Detail the primary features of the product, explaining how end users will interact with it. Provide thorough descriptions so that anyone reviewing the document understands what’s included. This section is crucial as it forms the basis of the PRD. Detailed feature descriptions ensure that all requirements are met during development.
7. What criteria will you use to determine product readiness?
Set criteria that will determine if the product is ready for launch. This should cover functionality, usability, reliability, performance, and supportability. For example, define critical functionality requirements, the scope of usability testing, reliability standards, performance benchmarks, and supportability parameters. Meeting these criteria ensures you’re launching a quality product. It also helps your software partner understand the success metrics.
8. How will you measure success and why is it important?
Establish metrics for measuring success. Set due dates and productivity levels to track progress. Use tools like Kanban boards, Gantt charts, or burndown charts to monitor these metrics. Tracking these metrics ensures that you stay on course and meet your goals, leading to a successful product launch.
Achieving product success with a strong PRD
Creating a (PRD) ensures everyone involved in the project is on the same page. This document aligns the team and also acts as a blueprint to guide the development process from start to finish. You can build a product that matches your project’s goals by clearly defining the product.
However, we understand that crafting a detailed PRD can be challenging. This is where Inspeerity comes in. We specialize in discovery phase services to help you get your project off to a strong start. Our team can assist you in identifying potential challenges. And then suggest innovative solutions, ensuring your PRD is thorough and effective.
Got a project idea in mind? Reach out to us for a free consultation to see how we can help. Explore other projects we’ve successfully completed and discover how Inspeerity can support your journey from concept to launch.
