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Challenges in Measuring NFRs

publish date: 2026/06/05 21:07:10.877917 UTC

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Which of the following are genuine difficulties in specifying non-functional requirements quantitatively? Select all that apply.

Customers may not be able to relate measurable specifications to their everyday experience of computer systems

The cost of objectively verifying measurable NFRs can be very high

Customers always prefer vague goals because they are easier to write

For some properties like maintainability, there are no usable metrics

Non-functional requirements can never be measured by any means

Correct Answer

(1) For some properties like maintainability, there are no usable metrics

(2) Customers may not be able to relate measurable specifications to their everyday experience of computer systems

(3) The cost of objectively verifying measurable NFRs can be very high

Explanation

Three genuine difficulties exist: (1) For some goals like maintainability, there are no measurable metrics; (2) Customers may not understand what a numeric specification means in terms of their experience; (3) The cost of objectively verifying NFRs can be very high and customers may not think it justified.

Reference

Software Engineering, Ian Sommerville, 9th edition

Quizzes you can take where this question appears

Functional and Non-Functional Requirements