The Technical Requirements Document (TRD) is a critical component in the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC), specifically during the planning and design phases. It bridges the gap between business-oriented requirements (captured in an FRD or BRD) and the technical implementation by defining detailed technical specifications. TRD provides engineers, developers, and architects with precise guidelines to build the desired system.
Purpose of TRD in SDLC
1. Clarifies Technical Expectations: Specifies how system functionality will be implemented technically.
2. Guides Development Teams: Serves as a reference for developers, ensuring uniformity and reducing ambiguities.
3. Facilitates Validation: Provides a baseline for validating whether the implemented system aligns with technical requirements.
4. Supports Scalability: Ensures that technical decisions align with current and future system growth.
Structure of a TRD
A well-structured TRD includes the following sections:
1. Introduction:
Project overview.
Goals and scope of the document.
References to related documents like FRD or BRD.
2. System Architecture:
High-level and low-level architecture diagrams.
Technology stack (e.g., frameworks, databases, APIs).
Communication protocols.
3. Functional Specifications:
Mapping of functional requirements to technical solutions.
Data flow diagrams for specific modules.
4. Non-Functional Specifications:
Performance requirements (e.g., latency, throughput).
Scalability, reliability, and availability.
Security guidelines, including authentication and authorization mechanisms.
5. API Design:
Endpoints with request/response formats.
API protocols (REST, GraphQL, etc.).
Error handling standards.
6. Data Management:
Database schema (ER diagrams or tables).
Data migration plans.
Backup and recovery processes.
7. System Dependencies:
Hardware, software, and network requirements.
External services or tools integration.
8. Risk and Constraints:
Technical risks and mitigation plans.
System limitations and known constraints.
9. Testing and Validation:
Test cases for verifying technical requirements.
Performance testing benchmarks.
10. Appendices:
Glossary of technical terms.
Links to supporting documentation.
Sample TRD Document Template
Below is a concise TRD sample:
Technical Requirements Document
1. Introduction
Project Name: Payment Gateway Integration
Objective: Seamless integration with external payment APIs.
2. System Architecture
Diagram: Diagram of client-server communication flow.
Stack: Node.js, PostgreSQL, AWS Lambda.
3. Functional Specifications
Requirement: Process payments securely.
Technical Solution: Use HTTPS and OAuth2.
4. Non-Functional Requirements
Performance: Support up to 10,000 requests per minute.
Security: Data encryption using AES-256.
5. API Design
Endpoint: /processPayment
Method: POST
Request Body: { “amount”: 100.50, “currency”: “USD” }
Response: { “status”: “success”, “transactionId”: “abc123” }
6. Data Management
Schema: Transactions table with fields (id, amount, status, timestamp).
Backup Frequency: Every 6 hours.
7. Dependencies
AWS S3 for storage.
Stripe API for payment processing.
8. Risks and Constraints
Risk: High API downtime. Mitigation: Fallback mechanisms.
9. Testing and Validation
Test Scenario: Validate transaction success under heavy load.
Role of TRD in SDLC
The TRD acts as a critical document in iterative SDLC methodologies like Agile or traditional ones like Waterfall. It ensures:
Alignment: Synchronizes technical goals with business objectives.
Efficiency: Minimizes rework by detailing clear technical paths.
Collaboration: Acts as a contract between technical and business teams.
The Technical Requirements Document (TRD) is indispensable for complex software projects, ensuring every team member operates under a unified technical vision. By providing an exhaustive yet structured guide, TRD facilitates seamless collaboration, efficient development, and robust system design.
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