This course covers practical techniques to elicit and express software requirements from client interactions.
Offered By
Software Product Management SpecializationUniversity of AlbertaAbout this Course
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Learner Career Outcomes
38%
started a new career after completing these courses
43%
got a tangible career benefit from this course
14%
got a pay increase or promotion
Shareable Certificate
Earn a Certificate upon completion
100% online
Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.
Course 3 of 6 in the
Flexible deadlines
Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.
Approx. 12 hours to complete
English
Subtitles: French, Portuguese (Brazilian), Greek, Korean, Russian, English, Spanish
Skills you will gain
Agile Software DevelopmentUser StorySoftware RequirementsUse Case
Learner Career Outcomes
38%
started a new career after completing these courses
43%
got a tangible career benefit from this course
14%
got a pay increase or promotion
Shareable Certificate
Earn a Certificate upon completion
100% online
Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.
Course 3 of 6 in the
Flexible deadlines
Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.
Approx. 12 hours to complete
English
Subtitles: French, Portuguese (Brazilian), Greek, Korean, Russian, English, Spanish
Offered by
University of Alberta
UAlberta is considered among the world’s leading public research- and teaching-intensive universities. As one of Canada’s top universities, we’re known for excellence across the humanities, sciences, creative arts, business, engineering and health sciences.
Syllabus - What you will learn from this course
3 hours to complete
Module 1: Introduction to Requirements
Welcome to the first module! In this module, you will become familiar with software requirements and some issues surrounding them. You will learn what a software requirement is, including the different types of requirements. Then, you will learn how to deal with changing requirements and control project scope, as well as how requirements affect design. These lessons will give you the knowledge you need to move on to eliciting and creating good quality requirements in the next modules.
3 hours to complete
11 videos (Total 64 min), 6 readings, 2 quizzes
11 videos
Introduction to Client Needs and Software Requirements3m
3.1.1: What is a Requirement?7m
3.1.1A: Requirement Activities8m
3.1.2: Types of Requirements4m
3.1.2A: User Requirements4m
3.1.2B: Functional Requirements4m
3.1.2C: Non-Functional Requirements6m
3.1.2D: Additional Requirement Types5m
3.1.3: Controlling Scope11m
3.1.4: Requirements and Design5m
6 readings
Meet your presenters: Bradley Poulette10m
Meet your presenters: Morgan Patzelt10m
Meet Your Facilitators10m
Course Resources: Client Needs and Software Requirements10m
Course Map: Client Needs and Software Requirements10m
Module 1: Supplemental Resources10m
2 practice exercises
Module 1: Practice Quiz (Ungraded)30m
Module 1 Assessment (Graded)30m
3 hours to complete
Module 2: User Interaction
A major duty of a software product manager is eliciting and expressing requirements from your client. This module will walk you through the basics of client interactions and requirements elicitation and expression. You will learn how to create the best product for your end users, how to conduct productive client meetings, and various ways of expressing requirements. These techniques will provide you with the tools you will need to confidently interact with your client as well as satisfy them with the “right product”.
3 hours to complete
9 videos (Total 56 min), 3 readings, 2 quizzes
9 videos
3.2.2: User Considerations5m
3.2.2A: User Considerations4m
3.2.2B: User Considerations7m
3.2.3: Involving Clients11m
3.2.3A: Involving Clients2m
3.2.4: Use Cases8m
3.2.5: Wireframes5m
3.2.6: Storyboards9m
3 readings
Discussion: Cultural Differences10m
Good Questions to Ask Your Client10m
Module 2: Supplemental Resources10m
1 practice exercise
Module 2 Assessment (Graded)30m
3 hours to complete
Module 3: Writing Requirements
Explore the many ways in which software requirements can be represented. In this module, you will learn about the most popular means of expressing requirements in the industry today: the user story. You will learn how acceptance tests help to verify the stories which they accompany, and how to create a robust product backlog. At the end of the module, you will learn how story maps are used to organize user stories, so that you’re always putting your effort into the tasks which makes the most impact.
3 hours to complete
8 videos (Total 52 min), 3 readings, 2 quizzes
8 videos
3.3.2: User Stories5m
3.3.2A: User Stories6m
3.3.2B: User Stories4m
3.3.3: Acceptance Tests7m
3.3.4: Product Backlog7m
3.3.4A: Product Backlog5m
3.3.5: Story Maps7m
3 readings
User Story Assignment: Stanley's Problem, Part 1 Proposed Solution (Locked)15m
Stanley's Problem: Part 2, Product Backlog10m
Module 3: Supplemental Resources10m
1 practice exercise
Module 3 Assessment (Graded)30m
3 hours to complete
Module 4: Quality Requirements
To this point, you have learned how to effectively elicit, express, and prioritize requirements. It’s now time to ensure clarity. This last module will explore the activity of analyzing requirements in greater detail. Analyzing creates clear, actionable, requirements which result in high quality software with fewer errors.
3 hours to complete
4 videos (Total 39 min), 6 readings, 3 quizzes
4 videos
3.4.1A: Criteria for User Stories6m
3.4.2: Ambiguous Requirements23m
3.4.3: Course Summary4m
6 readings
Ambiguous Requirements Study Guide10m
Discussion: Ambiguous Requirements10m
Reading: Ambiguous Requirements Quiz Pre-Reading10m
Module 4: Supplemental Resources10m
Congratulations and Preview a Capstone Course10m
Acknowledgements10m
3 practice exercises
Ambiguous Requirements Quiz30m
Module 4: Assessment (Graded)30m
Course Assessment (Graded)30m
Reviews
TOP REVIEWS FROM CLIENT NEEDS AND SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS
by VBJul 5, 2016
Excellent! There is a lot of great practical info you can apply in real life. I would suggest instructors include some more info about SPM in the framework of startups (rather than client framework).
by ASJun 20, 2020
It was a fantastic course that gives a peek of the real-world problems and processes in product management. It was a great learning experience with peer-graded assignments and the graded quizzes.
by SJOct 5, 2016
Thank you very much for developing this course! There is so much that I have learned about helping client to identity their needs for a software and creating requirements that meet those needs.
by KCSep 12, 2017
What an excellent, detailed, and professional course. I learned so much about requirments, and let go some beliefs about my previous "knowledge" on how to create clear requirments. Thank you!
About the Software Product Management Specialization
In this Software Product Management Specialization, you will master Agile software management practices to lead a team of developers and interact with clients. In the final Capstone Project, you will practice and apply management techniques to realistic scenarios that you will face as a Software Product Manager. You will have the opportunity to share your experiences and learn from the insights of others as part of a Software Product Management
Frequently Asked Questions
When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
Access to lectures and assignments depends on your type of enrollment. If you take a course in audit mode, you will be able to see most course materials for free. To access graded assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience, during or after your audit. If you don't see the audit option:
- The course may not offer an audit option. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid.
- The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
What will I get if I subscribe to this Specialization?
When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.
Is financial aid available?
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