Which characteristic should requirements possess to be effective?

Requirements should be atomic, clear, and consistent to ensure their effectiveness. When requirements are atomic, they focus on a single feature or functionality, making them easier to understand and manage. Clarity is essential because it ensures that all stakeholders – from developers to business analysts – interpret the expectations in the same way, reducing the chances of miscommunication. Consistency is equally important, as it ensures that requirements do not contradict each other, leading to a cohesive understanding of the project’s goals and specifications.

Having requirements that meet these criteria fosters a more organized development process, allows for more accurate estimations of time and resources needed, and improves the overall quality of the final product. This structured approach also helps in creating better documentation and facilitates easier changes later in the development lifecycle, making it a crucial aspect of effective requirements gathering and management.