functional and requirement document

[powerbiexpert22]

are both requirement and functional document same in BI reporting? who design the functional document?

[powerbiexpert22]

Hi @shafiz_p ,

functional document and technical design document of report are same?

[shafiz_p]

These 3 document are different and serve different purpose. You can summarize in one sentence:

Requirement document outlines what the business needs, a functional document describes what the system should do, and a technical design document details how the system will be implemented.

Hope this helps!!

[shafiz_p]

Hi @powerbiexpert22 
In BI (Business Intelligence) reporting, requirement and functional documents serve different purposes. So, it is not same.

Requirement Document:

• Purpose: Captures the business needs and objectives. It outlines what the stakeholders want to achieve with the BI solution.
• Content: Includes business goals, user requirements, data sources, key performance indicators (KPIs), and high-level project scope.
• Audience: Primarily for business stakeholders, project managers, and analysts.

Functional Document:

• Purpose: Translates the business requirements into detailed technical specifications. It describes how the BI solution will be implemented to meet the business needs.
• Content: Includes detailed descriptions of data models, data flows, report layouts, user interfaces, and specific functionalities.
• Audience: Primarily for developers, data engineers, and technical teams.

Who designs the functional document?

The functional document is typically designed by BI analysts, solution architects, or technical leads. These professionals work closely with business stakeholders to ensure that the technical specifications align with the business requirements.

Hope this helps to understand your question.
If this, please accept it as a solution and a kudos!!

Best Regards,
Shahariar Hafiz

[powerbiexpert22]

Hi @shafiz_p 

I am confused between functional and technical documentation , can you give me example of content of both in terms of power bi ?

[shafiz_p · Accepted solution]

Functional Documentation

1. Project Overview

• Objective: Describe the purpose of the Power BI project, what business problems it aims to solve, and the expected outcomes.

• Scope: Outline the boundaries of the project, including what will and won't be covered.

2. Data Sources

• Source Systems: List the databases, Excel files, cloud services, etc., where data will be extracted from.

• Data Integration: Describe how data from various sources will be integrated, including any ETL (Extract, Transform, Load) processes.

3. User Requirements

• User Roles: Define the different types of users (e.g., analysts, managers, executives) and their specific needs.

• Reports and Dashboards: Detail the reports and dashboards required, including mock-ups or wireframes.

• KPIs and Metrics: List the key performance indicators and metrics that need to be tracked.

4. Data Security and Access Control

• User Permissions: Outline who can access what data and what level of access they have.

• Data Sensitivity: Identify any sensitive data and how it will be protected.

5. Data Refresh and Maintenance

• Data Refresh Schedule: Describe how often the data will be updated and the process for doing so.

• Maintenance Plan: Outline who will be responsible for maintaining the Power BI reports and dashboards.

Technical Documentation

1. Data Architecture

• Data Model: Provide detailed diagrams of the data model, including tables, relationships, and any data hierarchies.

• Data Flow: Describe the flow of data from source systems to Power BI, including any transformations.

2. Data Sources

• Connection Details: Provide technical details about how to connect to each data source, including connection strings and authentication methods.

• ETL Processes: Detail the ETL processes, including any scripts or workflows used.

3. DAX Calculations

• Measures and Calculated Columns: List all DAX measures and calculated columns used in the reports, including the formulas and their purposes.

• Performance Optimization: Describe any performance optimization techniques used, such as aggregations or indexing.

4. Report and Dashboard Configuration

• Report Layout: Provide detailed descriptions of the layout of each report and dashboard, including visuals used and their configurations.

• Interactivity Features: Describe any interactivity features, such as drill-throughs, slicers, and filters.

5. Security and Access Control

• Row-Level Security (RLS): Describe the RLS implementation, including the DAX expressions used.

• User Roles and Permissions: Provide technical details about user roles and permissions setup.

6. Maintenance and Troubleshooting

• Error Handling: Describe any error handling mechanisms in place.

• Troubleshooting Guide: Provide a guide for common issues and their resolutions.

So, in simple word: "Requirements define what you need to cook, functional documents specify the ingredients, and technical documents explain how to cook it meaning detail of the implementation."

Hope this above explanation will help you to clear your confusion.