Quiz Entry - updated: 2026.07.05
What is the difference between "Lastenheft" and "Pflichtenheft" in the V-Model?
Lastenheft is the customer's "what" (their demands); Pflichtenheft is the contractor's "how" (their refined plan to meet those demands).
Lastenheft (Customer Requirements Specification):
- Created by the customer
- Describes all demands to the contractor regarding the subject of the contract
- Documents deliveries, services, and demands of the users
- Documents constraints to the system and development process
- Describes what is made for what (the "what")
Pflichtenheft (System Requirements Specification):
- Created by the contractor
- Based on the Lastenheft
- Contains implementation suggestions that the contractor has elaborated
- Is a refinement of the Customer Requirements Specification
- Describes how requirements will be met
Analogy: Lastenheft = "I want a car that can seat 5 people and get 30 mpg" Pflichtenheft = "We will build a sedan with these specific components..."
Go deeper:
Product requirements document (Wikipedia) — how customer "what" and contractor "how" specifications are structured and used.