We can divide software product requirements into two large groups. Let us see the difference between functional and non-functional requirements for mobile apps and consider a few examples of each of these categories. We will start with definitions and try to briefly explain everything in simple words.
Functional requirements for mobile applications describe what specifically needs to be implemented in a particular system or product and what actions users have to take to interact with the software. They determine what the system should do.
Non-functional requirements for mobile app show what properties and features a particular solution has, namely, how the system will work and why.
As a whole, these requirements describe the features the product has to have in order to meet the needs of all parties concerned, both business and end users.
An example of a functional requirement:
The system is to send an email whenever a certain condition is met. For example, a user has added merchandise to a cart in an online store but did not complete the order.
We can highlight three main groups of functional requirements:
Want to start a project?
Our team is ready to implement your ideas. Contact us now to discuss your roadmap!
This group also includes system requirements describing hardware and software environment features necessary for correct operation. Example (by Research Gate):
| № | Functional requirement of a mobile application for fishermen |
| 1 | Checking weather information which include water safety information |
| 2 | Giving information about track of storms and intensity of rains |
| 3 | Checking real time market price |
| 4 | Getting fishing tips which include receiving information about locations of fishing areas |
| 5 | Getting advertisement of catch availability to wider public of fisher folk. |
| 6 | Indicating fish procurement need based on species and quantity. |
| 7 | Facilitating contact information between interested parties for buying and selling. |
[quads >
Mobile app functional requirements are documented in a software requirements specification (SRS) describing the expected system behavior.
Each app is different and methodologies are always evolving, but there is a fairly standard process when developing mobile apps. We recommend you read this article.
Based on the previous paragraph, here is an example of a non-functional requirement for the system described by us, which sends a letter when a certain condition is met:
Letters are to be sent 3 hours after the user leaves the website. If the purchase is not complete, a second letter is sent one day after the cart is abandoned.
As a rule, the non-functional requirements primarily include various product quality attributes determining system quality features, most often as examples below:
A more comprehensive list of non-functional requirements can be found on Wikipedia.
Functional requirements describe the task that the company or user is to fulfill using the software product. For example, a mobile banking app is to be able to create a new account, add and remove bank cards, make payments, receive account statements, etc.
Non-functional requirements for such a product will be related more to product usability. In the case of the aforementioned banking app, it is the capability to receive data and carry out transactions online at any time of the day or night.
Software requirements’ specifications are a valuable instrument used to optimize the development process. Software developers get all the data necessary to get started, and thus the customer is sure to receive the exact product they need.
Want to start a project?
Our team is ready to implement your ideas. Contact us now to discuss your roadmap!
February 20, 2021
Flexibility, efficiency, and individual approach to each customer are the basic principles we are guided by in our work.
