What is the Difference Between BRS and SRS?

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The main difference between Business Requirement Specification (BRS) and Software Requirement Specification (SRS) lies in their purpose and coverage. Here are the key differences between the two:

  1. Purpose: BRS is a formal document that specifies the customer's requirements, both written and verbal, and is aimed at meeting the business requirements on a broader level. SRS, on the other hand, defines the functional and non-functional needs of the software to be established.
  2. Coverage: BRS covers all types of requirements, including business rules, project scope, and how customers communicate with the system. SRS covers all functional and non-functional requirements and outlines the entire system flow, including how data will enter the system and the system's functionality.
  3. Documentation: BRS is usually created by a business analyst through interaction with customers, while SRS is created by a system architect and is derived from the BRS.
  4. Audience: BRS is focused on the non-technical expression of the client's requirements and is used to communicate the project's purpose to various stakeholders. SRS is more technical and is used by programmers and developers to understand the software's functionality and design.

In summary, BRS outlines the business needs and rules for a project, while SRS defines the specific software requirements based on those business needs. Both documents are essential for developing a software project, as they guide the development process and ensure that the software meets the desired functionality and quality.

Comparative Table: BRS vs SRS

The table below highlights the key differences between Business Requirement Specification (BRS) and System Requirement Specification (SRS):

Key Feature BRS (Business Requirement Specification) SRS (System Requirement Specification)
Purpose Describes the high-level functional specifications of the software. Describes the high-level functional and technical specifications of the software.
Created By Usually created by the business analyst. Created by the system architect.
Derived From Derived from client interaction and requirements. Derived from the BRS.
Focus Focuses on the business rules and the project's scope. Focuses on the system flow, data entering the system, and system functionality.
User Base Lists user base and stakeholders from the client side. Does not list anyone from the client side.
Use Cases Specifies how clients communicate with the system with the help of use cases. Covers user interactions through a set of use cases.
Functional vs Non-functional Requirements BRS covers all types of requirements. SRS covers all functional and non-functional requirements.
Document Structure May or may not contain references of figures and tables. Always includes references to figures and tables.

Both BRS and SRS are crucial documents in software development, as they provide a clear understanding of the project's requirements and scope. It is essential for developers to use both documents to ensure the software meets the needs of the customer and the system.