Define technical requirements

Specify technical properties of goods, materials, methods, processes, services, systems, software and functionalities by identifying and responding to the particular needs that are to be satisfied according to customer requirements.

write technical specifications
gather technical requirements

skill/competence

cross-sector

Define technical requirements is an essential skill of the following occupations:

Telecommunications engineer: Telecommunications engineers design, build, test and maintain telecommunication systems and networks, including radio and broadcasting equipment.
They analyse customer needs and requirements, ensure that the equipment meets regulations, and prepare and present reports and proposals on telecommunication-related problems. Telecommunications engineers design and oversee the service delivery in all it’s phases, supervising the installation and use of telecommunications equipment and facilities, preparing documentation and providing training for company staff once new equipment has been installed.
Software analyst: Software analysts elicit and prioritise user requirements, produce and document software specifications, test their application, and review them during software development. They act as the interface between the software users and the software development team.
ICT security consultant: ICT security consultants advise and implement solutions to control access to data and programs. They promote a safe exchange of information.

Embedded system designer: Embedded system designers translate and design requirements and the high-level plan or architecture of an embedded control system according to technical software specifications.
Product development manager: Product development managers coordinate the development of new products from beginning to end. They receive briefings and start envisioning the new product considering design, technical and cost criteria. They conduct research on market needs and create prototypes of new products for untapped market opportunities. Product development managers also improve and boost technological quality.
Data warehouse designer: Data warehouse designers are responsible for planning, connecting, designing, scheduling, and deploying data warehouse systems. They develop, monitor and maintain ETL processes, reporting applications and data warehouse design.
ICT presales engineer: ICT presales engineers actively drive and manage the ICT evaluation stage of the sales process, working in conjunction with the sales team. They provide technical guidance to pre-sales personnel and plan and modify product ICT configurations to meet client requirements. They pursue additional business development opportunities.

Welding engineer: Welding engineers research and develop optimal effective welding techniques and design the corresponding, equally efficient equipment to aid in the welding process. They also conduct quality control and evaluate inspection procedures for welding activities. Welding engineers have advanced knowledge and critical understanding of welding technology application. They are able to manage high complex technical and professional activities or projects related to welding applications, while also taking responsibility for the decision making process.
Equipment engineer: Equipment engineers design and maintain the machinery and equipment in manufacturing facilities. They design machinery that adjusts to the manufacturing requirements and processes. Moreover, they envision the maintenance of the machines and equipment for uninterrupted functioning.

Component engineer: Component engineers design and envision the engineering development of different small parts composing a bigger project, machine, or process. They ensure that parts are not conflicting from an engineering perspective.
Green ICT consultant: Green ICT consultants advise organisations on their green ICT strategy and its implementation in the most effective and efficient manner to allow the organisation to reach their short, mid, and long term ICT environmental objectives.
Construction engineer: Construction engineers interpret building designs and add technical specifications to construction projects. They integrate engineering principles into the designs to ensure that structures are safe and resistant. They work together with architects and engineers to transform design ideas into executable plans.
ICT intelligent systems designer: ICT intelligent systems designers apply methods of artificial intelligence in engineering, robotics and computer science to design programs which simulate intelligence including thinking models, cognitive and knowledge-based systems, problem solving, and decision making. They also integrate structured knowledge into computer systems (ontologies, knowledge bases) in order to solve complex problems normally requiring a high level of human expertise or artificial intelligence methods.
Research engineer: Research engineers combine research skills and knowledge of engineering principles aiming to improve through research, processes, techniques, products, and systems at large. They perform experiments, for instance of natural structures such as honeycombs or tear-resistant spiderwebs, before determining the viability of alternative methods on a larger scale.
Marketeer: Marketing consultants advise companies in the development of marketing strategies for specific purposes. They can advise and develop strategies for the entry of a brand in the market, for the re-launch of a product, for the introduction of a new product, or for the positioning of a commercial image. They perform previous studies of the position of the company and perception of customers in order to define the marketing approach.
Language engineer: Language engineers work within the field of computing science, and more specifically in the field of natural language processing. They aim to close the gap in translation between accurate human translations to machine-operated translators. They parse texts, compare and map translations, and improve the linguistics of translations through programming and code.
ICT business analysis manager: ICT business analysis managers identify areas where information system changes are needed to support business plans and monitor the impact in terms of change management. They contribute to the general ICT functional requirements of the business organisation. ICT business analysis managers analyse business needs and translate them into ICT solutions.
Design engineer: Design engineers develop new conceptual and detailed designs. They create the look for these concepts or products and the systems used to make them. Design engineers work with engineers and marketers to enhance the functioning and efficiency of existing devices.
Knowledge engineer: Knowledge engineers integrate structured knowledge into computer systems (knowledge bases) in order to solve complex problems normally requiring a high level of human expertise or artificial intelligence methods. They are also responsible for eliciting or extracting knowledge from information sources, maintaining this knowledge, and making it available to the organisation or users. To achieve this, they are aware of knowledge representation and maintenance techniques (rules, frames, semantic nets, ontologies) and use knowledge extraction techniques and tools. They can design and build expert or artificial intelligence systems that use this knowledge.
Contract engineer: Contract engineers combine technical knowledge of contracts and legal matters with understanding of engineering specifications and principles. They ensure that both parts are aligned in the development of a project and foresee the compliance of all the engineering specifications and matters as defined in contracts.
Database designer: Database designers specify the database’s logical structure, processes, and information flows. They design data models and databases to serve data acquisition.
User interface designer: User interface designers are in charge of designing user interfaces for applications and systems. They perform layout, graphics and dialogues design activities as well as adaptation activities.
Precision engineer: Precision engineers design processes, machines, fixtures and other equipment that have exceptionally low engineering tolerances, are repeatable and stable over time. They ensure prototypes are built and tested and make sure the designs meet system specifications and operational requirements.
ICT system analyst: ICT system analysts specify the system needs to meet the end user requirements. They analyse system functions in order to define their goals or purposes and to discover operations and procedures for accomplishing them most efficiently. They also design new IT solutions to improve business efficiency and productivity, produce outline designs and estimate costs of new systems, specify the operations the system will perform, and the way data will be viewed by the end user. They present the design to the users and work closely with the users to implement the solution.
ICT product manager: ICT product managers analyse and define current and target status for ICT products, services or solutions. They estimate the cost effectiveness, points of risk, opportunities, strengths and weaknesses of products or services provided. ICT product managers create structured plans and establish time scales and milestones, ensuring optimisation of activities and resources.
Compliance engineer: Compliance engineers strive to keep the highest compliance of systems with engineering specifications. They can exert compliance in a varied array of engineering fields including mechanical, electrical, electronical systems. They ensure the engineering complies with regulations, safety measures, and internal directives.
Locksmith: Locksmiths install and repair mechanical and electronic lock systems using specialized tools. They cut and make duplicated keys for their clients and open locked doors in emergency situations. Locksmiths may also provide advice on security measures.
Mechatronics engineer: Mechatronics engineers design and develop intelligent systems, such as robotic devices, smart home appliances, and aeroplanes, through combining technologies from mechanical, electronic, computer, and control engineering. They create blueprints or design documents for parts, assemblies or finished products using software programs, and also oversee and manage projects.
ICT consultant: ICT consultants provide advice on how to optimise the use of existing tools and systems, make recommendations for the development and implementation of a business project or technological solution and contribute to project definitions. They raise awareness on information technology innovations and their potential value to a business. They also participate in the assessment and choice of ICT solutions.
Process engineer: Process engineers apply engineering concepts in order to improve all kinds of production and manufacturing processes in terms of efficiency and productivity. They evaluate the variables and constraints present in given processes and present engineering solutions to optimise them.
Automation engineer: Automation engineers research, design, and develop applications and systems for the automation of the production process. They implement technology and reduce, whenever applicable, human input to reach the full potential of industrial robotics. Automation engineers oversee the process and ensure all systems run safely and smoothly.
ICT system integration consultant: ICT system integration consultants advise on bringing together different systems to interoperate within an organisation for enabling data sharing and reducing redundancy.

Logistics engineer: Logistics engineers design and implement systems aimed to optimise the time and efforts invested in transportation activities. They ensure that systems allow for micro-tracking and smooth communication across transport methods and stages.
Telecommunications analyst: Telecommunications analysts review, analyse and evaluate an organisation’s telecommunications needs and systems. They provide training on the telecommunications system features and functionalities.
Software architect: Software architects create the technical design and the functional model of a software system, based on functional specifications. They also design the architecture of the system or different modules and components related to the business’ or customer requirements, technical platform, computer language or development environment.
Digital games designer: Digital games designers develop the layout, logic, concept and gameplay of a digital game. They focus on playfield design, specification writing, and entry of numeric properties that balance and tune the gameplay.
Fragrance chemist: Fragrance chemists develop and improve fragrance chemicals by formulating, testing and analysing fragrances and their ingredients so that the end product meets the expectations and the needs of customers.
ICT network architect: ICT network architects design the topology and connectivity of ICT network such as hardware, infrastructure, communication and hardware components.
ICT system architect: ICT system architects design architecture, components, modules, interfaces, and data for a multi-components system to meet specified requirements.
Software developer: Software developers implement or program all kinds of software systems based on specifications and designs by using programming languages, tools, and platforms.
Application engineer: Application engineers deal with the technical requirements, management, and design for the development of various engineering applications, such as systems, new product designs, or the improvements of processes. They are responsible for the implementation of a design or process improvement, they offer technical support for products, answer questions about the technical functionality and assist the sales team.
ICT business analyst: ICT business analysts are in charge of analysing and designing an organisation’s processes and systems, assessing the business model and its integration with technology. They also identify change needs, assess the impact of the change, capture and document requirements and then ensure that these requirements are delivered whilst supporting the business through the implementation process.

Define technical requirements is optional for these occupations. This means knowing this skill may be an asset for career advancement if you are in one of these occupations.

Civil engineering technician: Civil engineering technicians help design and execute construction plans and take on organisational tasks, for example in the planning and monitoring, and in bidding and invoicing of construction work. They also calculate material requirements, and help with the purchasing and organising, and ensure the quality of the construction materials. Civil engineering technicians may perform technical tasks in civil engineering and develop and advise on policy implementing strategies for road works, traffic lights, sewerage and water management systems.
Industrial engineer: Industrial engineers design a vast array of production systems aiming to present efficient and effective solutions. They integrate a varied number of variables such as workers, technology, ergonomics, production flows, and product specifications for the design and implementation of production systems. They can specify and design for microsystems as well.
Mechanical engineer: Mechanical engineers research, plan and design mechanical products and systems and supervise the fabrication, operation, application, installation and repair of systems and products. They research and analyse data.
Electromechanical engineer: Electromechanical engineers design and develop equipment and machinery that use both electrical and mechanical technology. They make draughts and prepare documents detailing the material requisitions, the assembly process and other technical specifications. Electromechanical engineers also test and evaluate the prototypes. They oversee the manufacturing process.
Electrical engineer: Electrical engineers design and develop electrical systems, electrical equipment, components, motors, and equipment with the feature of energy transmission. They engage in large scale projects such as the design and maintenance of power stations, and the distribution of power to smaller applications such as household appliances.
ICT project manager: ICT project managers schedule, control and direct the resources, people, funding and facilities to achieve the objectives of ICT projects. They establish budgets and timelines, perform risk analysis and quality management, and complete project closure reports.
System configurator: System configurators tailor a computer system to the organisation’s and users’ needs. They adjust the base system and software to the needs of the customer. They perform configuration activities and scripting and ensure communication with users.
Digital media designer: Digital media designers create and edit graphics, animations, sound, text and video to assist in the creation of integrated multimedia products. They may perform activities related to the web, social networks, augmented reality and virtual reality but exclude the production of music using physical instruments and complex software sound synthesis tools. Digital media designers may program and build websites, mobile applications and other multimedia products.
User experience analyst: User experience analysts assess client interaction and experience and analyse users’ behaviours, attitudes, and emotions about the usage of a particular product, system or service. They make proposals for the improvement of the interface and usability of products, systems or services. In doing so, they take into consideration the practical, experiential, affective, meaningful and valuable aspects of human–computer interaction and product ownership, as well as the person’s perceptions of system aspects such as utility, ease of use and efficiency, and user experience dynamics.

References

1. Define technical requirements – ESCO