6.4.3.1 Service requirements

This task, allocated and controlled according to the provisions above, consists in describing in details the aim of the Work Item, as seen by those for which a service is provided, e.g. end users, operators, service providers, etc.

In many cases it is desirable that, prior to the actual service requirements specification being produced, an initial combined service and system/architectural requirements and considerations document is produced, involving both service oriented and implementation expertise. In particular when an ad hoc task force is charged with performing a study on a certain WI (aspect) such a starting point document should be produced and then used as a basis for the TSG SGs when carrying out the detailed work on service requirements/descriptions and technical realization specifications. Such setting-the-basis documents should generally be kept for some time after the actual work on the detailed specifications has progressed to a mature level (mainly for the purpose of easing the understanding and to shorten the interaction and negotiation period between service requirements and system/architectural and technical restrictions).

Such 'setting-the-basis' document can also be used to describe the project management of a Work Item (to collect all prepared but not yet approved CRs related to the WI in question).

It may be appropriate to perform the above work in the context of a Study Item, prior to embarking on concrete specification work.