Today every entrepreneur, one way or another, begins to think about the competent expansion of work on the Internet markets. Global processes have made mobility and the ability to solve pressing issues without leaving home crucial elements of every online service. But as in any other sphere, in the world of web projects there are a lot of nuances and subtleties which are necessary for good functioning. Today we will talk about PRD in the context of a kind of how-to guide for launching a product. We will tell you how this seemingly trifling document can save you from mistakes and unnecessary costs. In addition, the product requirements document can increase the company’s income. We will start with a short introduction to the world of PRD and its benefits for your business.
What Does a PRD Look Like and Why Do We Need to Create One?
So, first of all, let’s deal with the format. PRD is not a usual documentation, because it is presented in the form of a short (maybe even one page) file, where the interactive list of information about the product is collected. Agree, it’s quite different from what we are used to see, mentioning such a concept as a requirement and a document.
What is the value of PRD?
It’s quite simple: if you work on it properly, it becomes a kind of a guide for everyone who is involved in the product launching. That is, this document is a basis, a so-called skeleton, which structure developers can use to continue their work.
What is the basis of PRD?
Here everything is simple, because the answer is hidden in the abbreviation. The document we are talking about contains comprehensive data about the product you create. In it you will find the requirements for functionality, the basic requirements for its’ usage. Besides, you will understand what support is needed to launch the product, and, of course, information relating to the design: its aesthetic and functional compatibility.
Another important point of creating a PRD is its interactivity. Such a format document undergoes many improvements in the process, as all the developers and designers have access to it. Accordingly, it allows you to keep track of all processes and constantly communicate with the team, which helps eliminate the loss of time caused by confusion and poor planning.
What’s Important to Consider When Creating a PRD?
Sure, it may seem like there’s nothing complicated about creating a PRD, but don’t underestimate the challenges that can arise in the process. Ideally, enlist the help of a team of professionals to carry out this format of work, because there are more than enough nuances when creating a document. Today we will consider just a few of the major ones:
The idea is always the first thing that comes up
Naturally, this occurs within the context. This is what you have to explain to the team. What can your product do? What problems can it solve and how can it be done? By answering these questions, you familiarize everyone with the main objectives of the result obtained after the implementation of the product.
Be sure to contact your colleagues
Product development requires the intervention of specialists from completely different fields. Marketers, designers, managers, business owners, and many others must constantly communicate. Of course, the creation of PRD is no exception. Thanks to such a meeting, you will be able to understand and systematize all the tasks and requirements that need to be fulfilled.
Pay attention to potential user response
When creating a document, it is very important to pay attention to the response of the potential user. One way or another, studying the usability of the product for the audience, allows you to understand which tasks should be focused on, and which are superfluous.
Give the description of the product
Another important component of PRD is a description of the product in terms of functionality. Naturally, this information is not the final result, as the functionality is constantly being improved and upgraded. However, it is more than important to understand what you should start from.
Break down the requirements
Next, you need to break down the requirements related to performance characteristics, reliability, and scaling. This means that you should clearly understand how to technically implement the desired functionality of the product and how it will work in the future.
Discuss the risks
Before forward the document to the developers, consider and discuss the risks that may threaten the project. Naturally, this is hard to do initially. However, the team must consider these points in the work.
Analyse the work done
And lastly, it is an analysis of the work done, which should be constantly updated. Short summaries, especially if they concern the user’s reaction to the product and the solution of his requests – this is what forms the opinion about the product and its relevance. These findings are used in further development.
Conclusion
Creating a PRD is a complicated job, which requires the participation of many specialists from different fields. However, this document is the starting point for planning the work on a new project. Thus, by creating a document, you insure yourself against a lot of unwanted costs. This concerns both money and wasted time. Moreover, PRD helps to avoid confusion among the people working on the project, because their action plan and the result of the work is always open.
