In traditional project management, many believe that if requirements are clearly documented at the beginning, users will get exactly what they want. Unfortunately, that’s rarely true. What usually happens is that users receive exactly what was written down, which may not always match what they actually need. Agile frameworks like Scrum address this challenge by avoiding long, upfront requirement specifications. Instead, they use a dynamic product backlog built around conversations and continuous discovery. This allows teams to adapt as they learn more about the product and the users’ true needs.
Let’s break down the differences between requirements and product backlogs, explore the three types of requirements in Agile projects, and understand how teams can plan for the unknown.
Product Backlog vs. Traditional Requirements
A product backlog does not eliminate requirements. It changes how we manage them. Instead of a long list of fixed specifications, the backlog evolves with new insights. This helps in three ways: Teams can never know everything upfront. Even the best workshops miss details. Conversations matter more than documents. Talking to stakeholders and users uncovers real needs. Risks surface earlier. By delivering incrementally, teams identify issues sooner rather than later. This shift allows Agile teams to stay flexible and deliver what actually adds value, not just what was written down months ago.
Three Types of Requirements in Agile
In Agile projects, requirements generally fall into three categories:
Known Requirements
These are the needs that stakeholders clearly express at the start. They are the items everyone is aware of, usually gathered through interviews, user story workshops, questionnaires and surveys. For example, in a grocery shopping analogy, the items on your shopping list are known requirements. You already knew you needed them, so you wrote them down.
Overlooked Requirements
Overlooked requirements are things missed during the initial discussions. This happens because: Stakeholders forget to mention them. Teams don’t ask the right questions. Certain users are not consulted during workshops. Back to the shopping analogy, imagine you forgot to add orange juice to your list. You still need it, but it slipped your mind. Similarly, in projects, overlooked requirements are important but simply not captured at the beginning.
Emergent Requirements
Emergent requirements are the most interesting and unpredictable. They are needs that no one could have identified upfront. Instead, they appear as the product takes shape. For example, while shopping, you might discover a new fruit you’ve never heard of like a Sumo orange. After trying a sample, you realize you want it, even though it wasn’t on your list and you didn’t know it existed.
In Agile projects, this happens when stakeholders see a working product and say, “This is good, but it would be even better if it could also do…” These requirements emerge from real-world feedback during development.
Why Emergent Requirements Matter?
Emergent requirements are both exciting and risky. On one hand, they ensure the product evolves into something more useful than initially imagined. On the other hand, they often cause scope changes and delays if discovered late in the project. This is why Agile encourages early feedback loops. By delivering small increments quickly, teams uncover emergent needs early and reduce the risk of late surprises.
Requirements in Agile are not a one-time checklist. They are living, evolving insights discovered through collaboration and feedback. Known requirements are what stakeholders ask for. Overlooked requirements are the ones we miss initially. Emergent requirements are the ones no one could have predicted until users see the product in action.
The Scrum framework provides the perfect structure to handle all three, with its emphasis on short iterations, conversations, and continuous inspection. For professionals who want to master this approach, joining a reputed Scrum training institute in India like HelloSM can help build the right foundation. Understanding how to manage evolving requirements is one of the most valuable skills in today’s Agile world.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between requirements and a product backlog?
Requirements are needs expressed by users, while a product backlog is a dynamic list of items that evolves as new requirements both known and emergent are discovered.
Can teams completely avoid overlooked and emergent requirements?
No. Overlooked requirements can be reduced with better stakeholder engagement, but emergent requirements naturally appear as the product evolves.
Why is Scrum useful for managing requirements?
Scrum focuses on short cycles, regular reviews, and ongoing collaboration. This makes it easier to identify overlooked and emergent requirements early, reducing risks and delivering products that truly meet user needs.