Failing to define clear and well-structured requirements can lead to numerous problems throughout the software development lifecycle. Key risks include:

• Miscommunication and misunderstandings: Without clear requirements, stakeholders may have conflicting interpretations, causing confusion, delays, and ultimately a product that does not satisfy customer needs.
• Lack of alignment: Teams may struggle to agree on project goals and objectives, leading to divergent visions of the final product and a mismatch with customer expectations.
• Lack of traceability: It becomes challenging to monitor progress, identify defects, and manage changes, resulting in poor product quality.
• Lack of flexibility: Adapting to evolving requirements or technology changes is difficult without a clear baseline, limiting the product’s ability to evolve effectively.
• Increased costs: Poorly defined requirements often lead to rework, wasted effort, and cost overruns, making the project more expensive than necessary.

In summary, the absence of well-defined requirements can cause serious issues that compromise the project’s success and deliver a final product that fails to meet customer needs.