What do non-functional requirements describe in a business analysis context?

Non-functional requirements are crucial in defining the overall characteristics and quality aspects of a system rather than the specific behaviors or functionalities. They describe the conditions under which a solution must remain effective, such as performance, security, usability, and reliability. These requirements do not dictate what the system does but rather how it does it, ensuring that the solution not only meets user needs in terms of functionality but also operates under specified constraints or standards.

In the context of business analysis, understanding these requirements helps stakeholders ensure the system performs well under different conditions, maintains usability and security, and can scale properly. By focusing on the effectiveness of the solution within certain conditions, teams can prioritize the quality of user experience and overall system performance as part of their development process.