What guideline should be adhered to when writing a requirements specification?

Using consistent terminology in a requirements specification is crucial because it helps maintain clarity and avoids misunderstandings among stakeholders. When everyone involved—such as business analysts, developers, subject matter experts, and testers—uses the same terms to refer to the same concepts, it reduces the likelihood of ambiguity. This consistency ensures that everyone interprets the requirements in the same way, which is essential for effective communication and successful project outcomes.

In addition, consistent terminology allows for easier updates and maintenance of the requirements document over time. If terminology is varied, future readers might struggle to connect terms to their meanings or related requirements, potentially leading to errors during implementation or testing phases.

Other options may seem relevant, but they do not provide the same level of essential adherence as using a consistent terminology. For example, minimizing the number of headers or highlighting certain requirements doesn't directly impact the clarity and understanding of the requirements as a whole. Therefore, focusing on terminology is vital for creating a clear and effective requirements specification.