To be successful in requirements gathering and to give your project an increased likelihood of success, follow these rules:

1. Don’t assume you know what the customer wants – always ask to avoid misunderstanding.
2. Involve the users from the start.
3. Define and agree on the scope of the project.
4. Make sure requirements are SMART – specific, measurable, agreed upon, realistic, and time-based.
5. Gain clarity from the client if there is any doubt.
6. Create a clear, concise, and thorough requirements document and share it with the customer.
7. Confirm your understanding of the requirements alongside the customer.
8. Avoid talking technology or solutions until the requirements are fully understood.
9. Get the requirements agreed with the stakeholders before the project starts.
10. Create a prototype, if necessary, to confirm or refine the customer’s requirements.