What are functional requirements?

Functional requirements define the specific behaviors and functions that a system or product must exhibit. They outline what a system should do, detailing the user interactions and features that need to be incorporated to meet the user’s needs. For instance, in a banking application, functional requirements could specify that users must be able to transfer funds, view account balances, or check transaction history. These requirements serve as a critical foundation for system design and development, ensuring that the final product aligns with the intended functionality and user expectations.

The other options address different aspects of project management and system design. Guidelines for project teamwork refer to processes and protocols that assist teams in collaborating effectively but do not detail specific system functionalities. Documentation of non-functional needs pertains to the qualities and constraints of the system—like performance, usability, or security—rather than the direct functionalities it must provide. The financial limits of a project focus on budgetary constraints and resource allocation, which are important considerations but do not define what a system will do. Hence, the choice related to specific behaviors or functions accurately encompasses the essence of functional requirements.