User requirements can be seen in a rational scientific way as simply finding out what users want. The LinkER project and the evaluation of DNER projects suggest that eliciting user requirements is more complicated when working in a complex and ill-defined area. User requirements may not be out there waiting to be uncovered and the process of eliciting user requirements may be iterative - requiring project teams to build up relationships with prospective user groups. The process may take on the appearance of a continuous interaction at all stages of the project rather than simply a job that can be completed at the start of a project.
Our main recommendation is to think of user requirements as provisional and subject to change during the project's life time. We recommend that:
Xgrain Workshop: The Xgrain workshop held in January 2002 has a section dedicated to User Requirements which provides some useful links to JISC sponsored reports