System Requirements

Master this essential documentation concept

Quick Definition

The technical specifications and environmental conditions needed for a software product to function properly, including hardware, operating system, and browser requirements

How System Requirements Works

flowchart TD A[System Requirements Documentation] --> B[Hardware Specs] A --> C[Software Dependencies] A --> D[Environment Setup] B --> B1[CPU Requirements] B --> B2[Memory/RAM] B --> B3[Storage Space] B --> B4[Graphics/Display] C --> C1[Operating System] C --> C2[Browser Support] C --> C3[Runtime Libraries] C --> C4[Third-party Tools] D --> D1[Network Configuration] D --> D2[Security Settings] D --> D3[User Permissions] D --> D4[Installation Prerequisites] B1 --> E[User Validation] B2 --> E B3 --> E C1 --> E C2 --> E D1 --> E E --> F{Compatible?} F -->|Yes| G[Proceed with Installation] F -->|No| H[Upgrade/Modify Environment]

Understanding System Requirements

System Requirements documentation defines the minimum and recommended technical specifications needed for software to operate effectively. This critical information helps users assess compatibility, plan deployments, and troubleshoot potential issues before they occur.

Key Features

  • Hardware specifications including CPU, RAM, storage, and graphics requirements
  • Operating system compatibility and version requirements
  • Browser support matrices with version ranges
  • Network connectivity and bandwidth specifications
  • Third-party software dependencies and integrations
  • Security and permission requirements

Benefits for Documentation Teams

  • Reduces support tickets by preventing compatibility issues
  • Improves user onboarding experience and success rates
  • Provides clear testing parameters for QA teams
  • Enables better planning for enterprise deployments
  • Creates accountability between development and documentation teams

Common Misconceptions

  • System requirements are only needed for desktop applications
  • Minimum requirements are sufficient for all use cases
  • Requirements documentation can be created after product release
  • Technical specifications don't need regular updates
  • End users don't read system requirements documentation

Documenting System Requirements: Beyond Screen Captures

Technical teams often record product demos that showcase system requirements in action—displaying minimum processor speeds, required software dependencies, or environmental configurations. While these videos effectively demonstrate compatibility testing, they create challenges when users need to quickly reference specific hardware or software prerequisites.

When system requirements exist only in video format, users must scrub through footage to locate the exact moment where memory requirements or operating system compatibility is mentioned. This creates friction during installation planning and purchasing decisions, when precise specifications are needed immediately.

Converting these video demonstrations into structured documentation transforms system requirements into scannable, searchable reference material. Your team can extract critical specifications from videos and organize them into formatted tables, compatibility matrices, and hierarchical requirement lists—making it simple for users to verify if their environment meets the necessary conditions before installation.

This documentation approach also allows you to maintain version-specific system requirements more effectively, tracking changes between releases and providing clear upgrade paths based on hardware or software constraints. When users can quickly access these critical specifications, you'll reduce support inquiries and installation failures.

Learn how to transform your video demonstrations into comprehensive system requirements documentation →

Real-World Documentation Use Cases

Enterprise Software Deployment Guide

Problem

IT administrators need comprehensive system requirements to plan large-scale software deployments across diverse corporate environments with varying hardware configurations.

Solution

Create detailed system requirements documentation with minimum, recommended, and optimal specifications, including scalability considerations for different deployment sizes.

Implementation

1. Collaborate with engineering to define hardware baselines 2. Document OS compatibility matrices with version support 3. Include network requirements and firewall configurations 4. Specify database and server requirements for enterprise setups 5. Add performance benchmarks for different user loads

Expected Outcome

Reduced deployment failures, faster enterprise adoption, and fewer post-installation support requests from IT teams.

Cross-Platform Mobile App Documentation

Problem

Mobile app users across iOS and Android platforms need clear device compatibility information to avoid download and performance issues.

Solution

Develop platform-specific system requirements that address device capabilities, OS versions, and performance expectations for different hardware tiers.

Implementation

1. Research minimum OS versions with significant market share 2. Test performance across low, mid, and high-end devices 3. Document storage requirements including offline capabilities 4. Specify network requirements for core functionality 5. Include accessibility and permission requirements

Expected Outcome

Higher app store ratings, reduced negative reviews due to compatibility issues, and improved user retention rates.

Browser-Based Application Support Matrix

Problem

Web application users experience inconsistent functionality across different browsers and versions, leading to confusion and support tickets.

Solution

Maintain a comprehensive browser compatibility matrix that clearly communicates supported features, known limitations, and recommended configurations.

Implementation

1. Create a testing matrix for major browsers and versions 2. Document feature support levels (full, partial, unsupported) 3. Include JavaScript and CSS requirements 4. Specify plugin or extension dependencies 5. Regular updates based on browser release cycles

Expected Outcome

Clearer user expectations, reduced browser-related support issues, and better planning for development priorities.

API Integration Requirements Documentation

Problem

Developers integrating with APIs need clear technical requirements and environmental specifications to ensure successful implementations.

Solution

Provide comprehensive system requirements covering server specifications, security protocols, rate limits, and development environment setup.

Implementation

1. Document server-side requirements for API hosting 2. Specify authentication and security protocols 3. Include rate limiting and bandwidth considerations 4. Define SDK and library requirements 5. Provide testing environment specifications

Expected Outcome

Faster API adoption, reduced integration support requests, and more successful third-party implementations.

Best Practices

✓ Maintain Separate Minimum and Recommended Requirements

Distinguish between the absolute minimum specifications needed for basic functionality and the recommended specifications for optimal performance. This helps users make informed decisions based on their specific needs and budget constraints.

✓ Do: Clearly label and separate minimum requirements from recommended specifications, providing context for why recommended specs improve the user experience
✗ Don't: Provide only minimum requirements or mix minimum and recommended specs without clear distinction, leaving users uncertain about performance expectations

✓ Update Requirements with Each Release

System requirements can change with software updates, new features, or changes in supported platforms. Regular updates ensure accuracy and prevent user frustration from outdated information.

✓ Do: Review and update system requirements as part of your standard release process, noting any changes in release notes
✗ Don't: Set requirements once and forget to update them, or make changes without communicating updates to users

✓ Include Real-World Performance Context

Provide context about what users can expect in terms of performance, loading times, or functionality limitations when running at minimum versus recommended specifications.

✓ Do: Include performance benchmarks, expected loading times, or user capacity limits for different specification levels
✗ Don't: List technical specifications without explaining the practical implications for user experience

✓ Test Across Representative Hardware Configurations

Base system requirements on actual testing across a range of hardware configurations that represent your user base, not just development machines or theoretical specifications.

✓ Do: Conduct testing on older hardware, different operating systems, and various network conditions that match your target audience
✗ Don't: Base requirements solely on high-end development machines or assume specifications without proper testing validation

✓ Provide Clear Upgrade Guidance

When users don't meet system requirements, offer specific guidance on what they need to upgrade or modify to achieve compatibility, including alternative solutions when possible.

✓ Do: Include troubleshooting steps, links to system checking tools, and suggestions for hardware upgrades or alternative configurations
✗ Don't: Simply state requirements without helping users understand how to achieve compliance or what their options are

How Docsie Helps with System Requirements

See How Docsie Can Help

Build Better Documentation with Docsie

Join thousands of teams creating outstanding documentation

Start Free Trial