Identify Gold-Plated Requirements (Process Notes 4.4)

Review each requirement to determine whether it is a real requirement or whether it is "gold plating." The key question is this: Does the requirement contribute to the strategic plan for the product? Go back to the purpose of the project (requirement type 1) and compare this requirement with the measurable purpose.

Sometimes, even though a requirement is gold-plated, you might choose to include it because it helps to overcome a personality or political problem. The important issue is to know that the requirement is gold-plated and to have a stated reason for including it.