How to Analyze Software Requirements Like Socrates: 7 Smart Questions Every Analyst Should Ask
Last updated: November 02, 2025 Read in fullscreen view
Recommended for you
- 15 Feb 2024
What is a Cut-Over in Software Development? 69/1318 - 02 Nov 2023 Differences between software walkthrough, review, and inspection 54/2112
- 13 Oct 2021 Outsourcing Software Development: MVP, Proof of Concept (POC) and Prototyping. Which is better? 40/486
- 18 Oct 2020 How to use the "Knowns" and "Unknowns" technique to manage assumptions 38/1089
- 12 Oct 2022 14 Common Reasons Software Projects Fail (And How To Avoid Them) 32/568
- 19 Oct 2021 Software development life cycles 29/701
- 21 Nov 2025 The Pressure of Short-Term Funding on Small-Budget IT Projects 25/35
- 31 Dec 2025 The Curse of Knowledge in Pre-Project Requirements 24/48
- 01 Oct 2020 Fail fast, learn faster with Agile methodology 24/1047
- 14 Oct 2021 Advantages and Disadvantages of Time and Material Contract (T&M) 22/864
- 18 Sep 2025 Pilot Projects Explained: What They Are and How to Use Them Effectively 22/64
- 18 Dec 2025 AI: Act Now or Wait Until You’re “Ready”? 22/42
- 13 Dec 2020 Move fast, fail fast, fail-safe 20/323
- 18 Aug 2022 What are the consequences of poor requirements with software development projects? 20/274
- 06 Feb 2021 Why fail fast and learn fast? 19/450
- 04 Oct 2021 Product Validation: The Key to Developing the Best Product Possible 17/320
- 23 Sep 2021 INFOGRAPHIC: Top 9 Software Outsourcing Mistakes 17/439
- 03 Jul 2022 What is the difference between Project Proposal and Software Requirements Specification (SRS) in software engineering? 17/1025
- 07 Oct 2025 Case Study: Using the “Messaging House” Framework to Build a Digital Transformation Roadmap 17/86
- 01 Mar 2023 Bug Prioritization - What are the 5 levels of priority? 17/235
- 05 Sep 2023 The Cold Start Problem: How to Start and Scale Network Effects 17/203
- 01 Feb 2024 How long does it take to develop software? 16/224
- 10 Nov 2022 Poor Code Indicators and How to Improve Your Code? 16/231
- 31 Aug 2022 What are the best practices for software contract negotiations? 16/260
- 05 Mar 2021 How do you minimize risks when you outsource software development? 16/336
- 19 Oct 2021 Is gold plating good or bad in project management? 15/816
- 11 Jul 2022 Cost benefit analysis for software development 15/725
- 03 Jan 2026 The Hidden Rules of IT Project Tendering: Laws, Principles, and Caveats You Must Know 15/28
- 19 Apr 2021 7 Most Common Time-Wasters For Software Development 14/556
- 28 Jul 2022 POC, Prototypes, Pilots and MVP: What Are the Differences? 13/697
- 28 Oct 2022 Build Operate Transfer (B.O.T) Model in Software Outsourcing 12/406
- 08 Oct 2022 KPI - The New Leadership 12/603
- 31 Oct 2021 Tips to Fail Fast With Outsourcing 12/392
- 10 Dec 2023 Pain points of User Acceptance Testing (UAT) 11/452
- 04 Oct 2022 Which ERP implementation strategy is right for your business? 11/313
- 01 Oct 2024 23 Overlooked Types of Non-Functional Requirements You Shouldn’t Ignore 11/43
- 11 Jan 2024 What are the Benefits and Limitations of Augmented Intelligence? 10/478
- 02 May 2022 What Is RAID in Project Management? (With Pros and Cons) 10/813
- 12 Dec 2021 Zero Sum Games Agile vs. Waterfall Project Management Methods 10/409
- 17 Feb 2022 Prioritizing Software Requirements with Kano Analysis 10/304
- 28 Dec 2021 8 types of pricing models in software development outsourcing 10/437
- 18 Jul 2021 How To Ramp Up An Offshore Software Development Team Quickly 9/593
- 05 Jan 2024 Easy ASANA tips & tricks for you and your team 9/200
- 12 Mar 2024 How do you create FOMO in software prospects? 9/167
- 13 Jan 2024 The “Rule of Law” in Software Projects: Engineering Principles That Govern Successful Development 8/21
- 06 Mar 2024 [SemRush] What Are LSI Keywords & Why They Don‘t Matter 7/176
- 21 Oct 2025 Cloud-Native Development: Why It’s the Future of Enterprise IT 7/80
- 12 Aug 2024 Understanding Google Analytics in Mumbai: A Beginner's Guide 6/99
- 14 Mar 2024 Why should you opt for software localization from a professional agency? 6/140
- 26 Dec 2023 Improving Meeting Effectiveness Through the Six Thinking Hats 6/254
- 06 Nov 2019 How to Access Software Project Size? 6/249
- 01 Dec 2023 Laws of Project Management 5/302
- 14 Feb 2024 Early BA Engagement: “Earning” Pre-Project Work 3/156
- 01 May 2024 Warren Buffett’s Golden Rule for Digital Transformation: Avoiding Tech Overload 3/205
Most software projects fail not because of bad coding — but because of unclear requirements. Misunderstood goals, hidden assumptions, and vague definitions often cause costly rework and endless frustration between clients and developers.
What if we approached software requirement analysis the way Socrates approached truth — by asking better questions?
Here are 7 types of Socratic questions adapted for software analysts, product managers, and anyone involved in defining what to build (and why).
Define the Terms Clearly
In requirement meetings, words like “user-friendly,” “fast,” or “secure” often mean different things to different people. Before writing a single line of code, clarify the vocabulary.
Ask clients to define what those terms mean in measurable or testable ways.
Example:
Instead of “The app should load fast,” ask,
“How many seconds should the app take to load under normal conditions?”
Uncover Hidden Assumptions
Every requirement hides assumptions: about user behavior, infrastructure, cost, or timeline.
Your job as an analyst is to surface these blind spots before they turn into risks.
Example:
A client might assume all users have stable internet.
Challenge that by asking,
“What happens if users go offline? Should the app still function partially?”
Ask for Concrete Evidence
When stakeholders say “users don’t like the current UI,” dig deeper.
Ask for user feedback, survey data, or analytics reports that prove the issue.
Example:
“Which part of the interface gets the most complaints or drop-offs?”
This transforms vague opinions into actionable design insights.
Examine the Consequences
Every requirement consumes time and budget. Before committing, explore the trade-offs and consequences.
Example:
If a feature is delayed,
“Will it affect compliance, customer satisfaction, or just convenience?”
Understanding consequences helps prioritize what truly matters.
Check for Logical Consistency
Sometimes requirements clash — a system that’s highly secure but also extremely easy to access can’t coexist without compromise.
Example:
“You mentioned reducing login friction, but also adding multi-factor authentication — how do we balance both?”
Logical consistency ensures that all requirements can coexist in one coherent design.
Question the “Obvious”
Many systems inherit legacy processes that no one questions. Challenge them gently.
Sometimes, the “standard” workflow is the biggest bottleneck.
Example:
“We’ve always required manual approval for invoices — what if we automated 80% of them?”
Breakthrough improvements often come from questioning the unquestioned.
Explore Opposing Perspectives
Play devil’s advocate.
Before finalizing, imagine how different stakeholders might criticize or reject the idea.
Example:
“If you were the QA tester, what risks or edge cases would you point out here?”
This technique reveals hidden risks and strengthens your design before development begins.
Conclusion
Asking questions like Socrates doesn’t slow down software analysis — it speeds up clarity.
Each of these seven question types forces deeper thinking, sharper definitions, and fewer misunderstandings.
In the end, great software isn’t just built — it’s understood.
And understanding starts with one thing: the right question.
Explore more on these topics
Guest Blogging: The Definitive Guide
Top Trending Topics
Share This
Link copied!
Recently Updated News