Non-functional requirement
Also called: NFR
ELI5
How well or under what conditions the system must work.
Used in conversation
“Accessibility is a non-functional requirement with measurable criteria.”
Definition
A requirement concerning qualities or constraints such as security, performance, reliability or accessibility.
Here “Non-functional requirement” means: A requirement concerning qualities or constraints such as security, performance, reliability or accessibility.
Pitch context
You will see “Non-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