Requirements, stories & service design · Core
Functional requirement
Also called: functional spec
ELI5
Something the system must do.
Used in conversation
““Users can export a report” is a functional requirement.”
Definition
A statement of behaviour or capability a system must provide.
Here “Functional requirement” means: A statement of behaviour or capability a system must provide.
Pitch context
You will see “Functional requirement” in product strategy decks, roadmaps, experiments and architecture reviews when the discussion reaches requirements, stories & service design.
Why it matters: It helps a reader interpret requirements, stories & service design without confusing the measure, decision, role or evidence being discussed.
Sources & evidence · 2
Supporting source families. This entry is an editorial synthesis rather than a quotation from one canonical glossary.
- Scrum Guides — The Scrum Guide — official current versionSupporting source family · primary · checked 2026-08-16
- National Institute of Standards and Technology — Computer Security Resource Center GlossarySupporting source family · primary · checked 2026-08-16