Product Requirements Document (PRD)

Oh boy have we come a long way with the Product Requirements Document, also known as (aka) the PRD!

For those who need a refresher or if this is your first time hearing about a PRD, let's start from the beginning.

The Evolution of the Product Requirements Document (PRD): From Waterfall to Agile

The Product Requirements Document (PRD) has been a cornerstone of product development for decades, but its role and format have significantly evolved over time. Here's a glimpse into its journey:

Early Days (Pre-1990s)

• Birthplace of the PRD: Tracing back to the Waterfall methodology, the PRD emerged as a detailed, comprehensive document outlining every single aspect of a product before any development began.

• Focus: Engineering-driven, the PRD included intricate technical specifications and blueprints.

• Challenges: Rigid and inflexible, it often lead to communication gaps and difficulty to adapting to changing needs.

The Rise of Software Development Methodologies (1990s-2000s)

• The Agile Era: Iterative methodologies, like Agile, gained traction. The Agile Manifesto was created in February 2001, emphasizing flexibility and continuous improvement.

• Shifting Focus: PRDs adapted, becoming more user-centric and focused on user stories and functionalities, while reducing technical jargon.

• Marty Cagan's Influence: His influential "How to Write a PRD" guide in 2006 became a widely used template, promoting conciseness and user-centered design.

The Modern PRD (2010s and Beyond)

• Death of the PRD? Overtime, some argued that the rigid PRD was incompatible with Agile, leading to calls for its demise.

• Resurgence and Transformation: PRDs evolved into lighter, more collaborative documents, often used for high-level strategy, outlining vision, user needs, and key features.

• Digital Tools and Templates: Digital collaboration platforms and online templates emerged, allowing for dynamic updates and easier stakeholder involvement.

The Future of PRDs

• Continuous Adaptation: The PRD will likely continue to adapt to new methodologies and tools, becoming even more collaborative and user-focused. Aakash Gupta gives a great overview of what he believes the modern PRD will provide in his article and I agree with his assessment.

• Emphasis on Data and Experimentation: Data-driven insights and rapid prototyping using interactive and dynamic tools like Figma or Adobe XD will play a bigger role in informing PRD content and iterating on features. This will help to ensure that the final product meets the needs of users and stakeholders.

• Tailored Formats: Different project types and teams may use customized PRD formats instead of a one-size-fits-all approach.

• More user-centered: PRDs will be more user-centered, with a focus on understanding the needs and wants of users. This will help to ensure that the product is designed to be easy to use and enjoyable to use.

• More collaborative: PRDs will be more collaborative, with input from all stakeholders involved in the development process. I'm already seeing this as I did more human centered design concepts coupled with the PRD with teams. This will help to ensure that the final product is a reflection of the needs of all stakeholders.

• More flexible: PRDs will be more flexible, with the ability to be easily adapted to changes in the market or user needs. This will help to ensure that the product remains relevant and successful over time.

These are just a few examples of the future of PRDs. As technology and the way we work continue to evolve, we can expect to see even more innovative and effective ways to document product requirements.

Although its form may change, its core purpose of aligning stakeholders and guiding product creation remains essential. The challenge will lie in adapting its format and content to stay relevant in an ever-evolving software landscape.

What do you think? What else should be added to the list?