What does atomic mean in the context of effective requirements?

In the context of effective requirements, "atomic" refers to the idea that a requirement should be clear and indivisible, meaning it addresses a single, specific need or function without combining multiple concepts or conditions. This clarity allows for easier understanding, tracking, and implementation of the requirement throughout the development process. When a requirement is atomic, stakeholders can more effectively analyze, verify, and validate it, ensuring that it meets the desired objectives without ambiguity.

A complex requirement with many parts can lead to confusion and misinterpretation, making it challenging to manage and validate. While a complete and fully described requirement is essential, the concept of being atomic emphasizes the importance of simplicity and focus. Flexibility and adjustability are also valuable attributes, but they do not directly relate to the atomic nature of a requirement, which is primarily concerned with clarity and singularity.