What is a product requirements document (PRD)?

A Product Requirements Document (PRD) is a strategic tool used to outline the purpose, features, functionality, and behavior of a product, typically digital, that is to be developed. It serves as a reference point for stakeholders, including product managers, engineers, and marketers, to ensure alignment on the product's objectives and requirements. A PRD includes sections on opportunity framing, design and technical specifications, and launch and post-launch analysis, providing clarity and preventing miscommunication between parties. It is crucial for guiding decision-making, driving team collaboration, and ensuring customer satisfaction by detailing the problems the product aims to solve and the value it provides. While PRDs are commonly used in both waterfall and agile product development methodologies, they remain valuable in various contexts by adapting to specific stakeholder needs and organizational cultures. Additionally, a PRD can complement a Business Requirements Document (BRD), which focuses on aligning the product with broader business goals, to ensure that the product supports overall business strategies.