Developing Operational Requirements: A Guide to the Cost-Effective and Efficient Communication of Needs

The purpose of this guide is simple and straightforward: to enable the reader to articulate detailed requirements or needs and effectively communicate them (either internally within DHS or externally to other Federal agencies or the private sector)
through an Operational Requirements Document (ORD) vehicle. Often, we have heard expressions like “It all boils down to a lack of communications,” or “We’re not sure what you need,” or “DHS has been difficult to work with because they really don’t have a clear
picture of their problems, needs or requirements.” We can remedy this situation by implementing some fundamental practices in a disciplined manner.