Let's compare the list based requirements to a visual depiction of the same thing. The visual of the map with the route highlighted is not only easier to understand, but it also provides additional context about the layout and distance of the various roads.

This visual model helps to structure the information in a way that is easy for anyone to understand, regardless of their experience in receiving directions.

This same logic applies to your project requirements. Not everyone has been engaged in projects in the past. Providing them with visuals can greatly reduce the perceived complexity, which will increase requirement accuracy, and therefore lead to more successful projects.



2) Reduces Misconceptions

Having a project team member who doesn't fully grasp the whats or the whys of requirements or the potential design, is actually more dangerous than a project team member who doesn't show up for any of the discussions.

When people don't recognize what they are hearing or seeing, they tend to keep quiet. Even worse, some feign understanding by nodding their heads as things are being explained. This can give the Business Analyst the misconception that the project team member is agreeing with the requirement details or the design that being explained. As expected, the results can be catastrophic to your project's end result.

To help avoid this mishap, visual models should also be utilized to allow everyone to grasp the concepts and fully understand the ideas being portrayed. This will allow people to feel more comfortable questioning requirement or design details, thus preventing issues before they occur.



3.) Identifies Requirement Gaps

Missed requirements are one of the leading causes of project failure. The challenge becomes, how do you know if a requirement is missing if you aren't aware of the requirement?

Visual models can help to identify and uncover some of those elusive requirements. When a process, such as our driving directions, is written in text format, it is very difficult to identify if anything is missing.