Functional Requirement

A precise, testable behavior that the product or service must carry out.

Key Points

  • Defines what the solution does: actions, inputs, outputs, and rules.
  • Different from non-functional requirements, which describe quality attributes like performance or security.
  • Should be clear, measurable, traceable, and testable.
  • Often captured as user stories, use cases, or acceptance criteria in agile backlogs.

Example

When a customer submits an order, the system validates the items, calculates tax, and sends a confirmation email within 1 minute.

PMP Example Question

Which of the following best represents a functional requirement for an e-commerce platform?

  1. The system must maintain 99.9% uptime during peak season.
  2. The application shall allow users to reset their password via a verification email.
  3. Stakeholder satisfaction should improve quarter over quarter.
  4. The project team will adopt Scrum with 2-week sprints.

Correct Answer: B - required product behavior

Explanation: Option B describes a specific behavior the product must perform, which is a functional requirement. The others are non-functional (A), a business goal (C), and a process choice (D).

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