In software projects, what is the key difference between BRD, SRS, and Use Case documents in terms of what they describe and who primarily uses them?

Introduction / Context:
Clear documentation is essential in software development and business analysis. Three common document types are the Business Requirements Document (BRD), the Software or System Requirements Specification (SRS), and Use Case documents. Each serves a different purpose and is aimed at different stakeholders. This question tests whether you can distinguish their roles in a typical project.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• BRD stands for Business Requirements Document.
• SRS stands for Software or System Requirements Specification.
• Use Case documents describe functional interactions between users and the system.
• We want to understand what each document contains and who primarily uses it.

Concept / Approach:
The BRD is a high level document that explains why the project exists, what business problem it addresses, and what business value is expected. It is written in business language for stakeholders such as clients, managers, and analysts. The SRS takes the business requirements and turns them into precise, detailed system and software requirements for developers, testers, and architects. Use Case documents go deeper into functional behaviour by describing how different actors interact with the system to achieve specific goals, often forming the basis for design and test cases.

Step-by-Step Solution:
1. Identify the main focus of the BRD: business goals, scope, and high level requirements.2. Identify the main focus of the SRS: detailed functional and non-functional requirements describing what the system must do.3. Identify the main focus of Use Cases: step-by-step interactions between users (actors) and the system for particular scenarios.4. Option A states that the BRD captures high level business needs, the SRS translates them into detailed system/software requirements, and Use Case documents describe user interactions and flows with the system; this accurately summarizes the roles.5. Option B mislabels the SRS as a marketing brochure and the BRD as a technical design, which is incorrect.6. Option C incorrectly says that all three are the same document; in practice, they are distinct and often co-exist.7. Option D misassigns the primary audiences: BRD is not mainly for developers, and Use Cases are not primarily for network administrators.8. Therefore, Option A is correct.

Verification / Alternative check:
In many real-world methodologies, the BRD is created early by business analysts and stakeholders. The SRS is then prepared, often with input from system analysts and architects, and used as a contract between business and technical teams. Use Cases are developed alongside or after the SRS, and are used by designers and testers to define UI flows and test scenarios. This typical workflow matches the explanation in Option A.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option B is wrong because the SRS is not a marketing brochure; it is a technical specification, while marketing material is separate.Option C is wrong because treating all three as identical would ignore important differences in purpose and audience.Option D is wrong because BRDs are not mainly developer-focused, and network administrators are not the primary audience for Use Case documents.

Common Pitfalls:
Teams sometimes skip one of these documents or blend them together, leading to confusion about requirements. For example, writing only an SRS without a clear BRD can make it hard to verify whether the technical solution truly satisfies business goals. Likewise, missing Use Cases can lead to incomplete test coverage. Understanding the distinct role of each document helps maintain clarity throughout the project lifecycle.

Final Answer:
BRD captures high level business needs, SRS translates them into detailed system/software requirements, and Use Case documents describe user interactions and flows with the system.