2. Use a consistent structure

A good NFR often follows this structure:

[Subject] + [criterion] + [measurement value] + [context]

For example:

• “The system has recorded a monthly uptime of 99.9%”
• “Backups are performed every hour and can be restored within 4 hours”

This makes them immediately usable for both development and operations.

3. Link them to acceptance criteria

An NFR is only valuable if you can verify whether it has been met.

For example:

• Performance tests
• Security audits
• Load testing
• Monitoring dashboards

Without verification, these remain mere intentions rather than commitments.

4. Explicitly prioritize them

Not all NFRs are equally important. Make a distinction:

• Must-have (e.g., security compliance)
• Must-have (e.g., performance optimization)
• Nice-to-have (e.g., additional usability features)

This helps when making decisions under time pressure.

5. Establish ownership

Who is responsible for:

• Defining it?
• How to make it happen?
• Monitoring?

Without a sense of ownership, NFRs often fade into the background during a project.

Why this makes a difference

The difference between successful and problematic projects often lies not in functionality, but in quality.

• Functional requirements ensure that the system works
• Non-functional requirements ensure that the system continues to function under pressure, is secure, and is user-friendly

Organizations that incorporate NFRs early on and effectively:

• Avoid costly retrofits
• Accelerate adoption
• Reducing operational risks