Should I Create an SRS for My First Client Software Project?

You need some agreed way to decide when the project is complete and whether the remaining work is new scope. An SRS is one way to document that, but a requirements tool, shared specification, or even a well-organized requirements document can work too. The important part is that both you and the institute agree on what the system must do and what counts as finished.

A concise requirements document is usually better than skipping documentation entirely. Describe what the LMS will and won’t include, who is responsible for each action, and how you’ll verify that each feature works. This gives both sides a shared reference while still leaving room to refine implementation details.

For a first client project, write the requirements down, but you probably don’t need an overly formal academic document. List the user roles, major features, workflows, and acceptance criteria—for example, how logins, courses, enrollment, assignments, and grading should work. Have the client review and approve it before development, so additional requests can be treated as scope changes instead of endless additions.