Functional requirements of Online Roommate Finder with non-functional

Functional Requirements

1. User Registration and Authentication:
   • Allow users to create and manage accounts using email, phone number, or social media login.
   • Implement secure authentication methods, including password recovery and multi-factor authentication.
2. Profile Creation and Management:
   • Provide users with the ability to create and update profiles, including personal details, preferences, and living habits.
   • Allow users to upload profile pictures and provide information about their lifestyle, interests, and roommate preferences.
3. Roommate Search and Matching:
   • Implement search functionality to find potential roommates based on criteria such as location, budget, lifestyle preferences, and availability.
   • Provide matching algorithms to suggest suitable roommates based on compatibility factors like habits, preferences, and schedules.
4. Listing and Managing Room Availability:
   • Allow users to list available rooms or apartments, including details such as location, rent, amenities, and photos.
   • Enable users to manage and update their room listings, including marking rooms as occupied or available.
5. Communication and Messaging:
   • Provide a messaging system for users to communicate with potential roommates directly through the platform.
   • Implement features for sending and receiving messages, notifications, and follow-ups.
6. Roommate Preferences and Filters:
   • Allow users to set and filter preferences for potential roommates, including factors like smoking habits, pet ownership, and social habits.
   • Provide options for filtering search results based on these preferences.
7. Background Checks and Verification:
   • Offer optional background checks and identity verification services to ensure the credibility of users.
   • Provide mechanisms for verifying user information and handling any verification issues.
8. Booking and Reservation:
   • Enable users to express interest in a room or roommate and schedule viewings or interviews.
   • Provide tools for managing booking requests and confirming living arrangements.
9. Reviews and Ratings:
   • Allow users to leave reviews and ratings for their roommates or the properties they have lived in.
   • Display user feedback and ratings to help others make informed decisions.
10. Help and Support Resources:
    • Offer help resources, including FAQs, user guides, and support contact options.
    • Provide customer support through various channels, such as email, live chat, or phone.
11. Notification and Alerts:
    • Send notifications for important events, such as new matches, messages, or updates to listings.
    • Allow users to configure notification preferences and delivery methods (e.g., email, SMS, push notifications).
12. Data Export and Integration:
    • Allow users to export their profile information and search results to various formats, such as CSV or PDF.
    • Support integration with other platforms or services, such as social media for profile verification or third-party background check services.

Non-Functional Requirements

1. Scalability:
   • The system should handle increasing numbers of users, profiles, and listings without performance issues.
   • Support for scaling infrastructure to accommodate growth and peak usage periods.
2. Performance:
   • Ensure fast and responsive interactions, with quick profile searches, matching, and messaging.
   • Optimize performance to handle large volumes of user data and concurrent interactions efficiently.
3. Reliability and Availability:
   • Ensure high availability with minimal downtime, supported by redundancy, load balancing, and failover mechanisms.
   • Implement regular backups and disaster recovery procedures to maintain service continuity.
4. Usability:
   • The user interface should be intuitive and user-friendly, accommodating users with varying levels of technical expertise.
   • Provide a consistent and seamless experience across different devices and platforms.
5. Security:
   • Implement robust security measures to protect user data and personal information, including encryption, secure authentication, and access controls.
   • Protect against unauthorized access, data breaches, and cyber threats.
6. Maintainability:
   • Ensure the system is easy to maintain, with clear documentation, modular design, and support for regular updates and bug fixes.
   • Implement automated monitoring and logging to identify and address issues promptly.
7. Compliance:
   • Ensure the system complies with relevant regulations and standards, such as data protection laws (e.g., GDPR, CCPA) and housing regulations.
   • Provide features to support auditing, data retention, and regulatory reporting requirements.
8. Data Integrity and Accuracy:
   • Ensure that all data collected and processed by the system is accurate, consistent, and up-to-date.
   • Implement validation checks and data integrity mechanisms to prevent errors and data corruption.
9. Localization and Internationalization:
   • Support multiple languages and regional settings to cater to a global user base.
   • Allow easy adaptation of the system to meet local regulations and cultural practices.
10. Accessibility:
    • Ensure that the system is accessible to users with disabilities, following web accessibility standards (e.g., WCAG).
    • Provide features such as screen reader compatibility, keyboard navigation, and adjustable text sizes.
11. Privacy and Data Ownership:
    • Ensure that users retain ownership of their data and can easily control, access, and delete their information.
    • Provide transparency regarding data usage, sharing, and storage practices, with clear consent mechanisms.