Requirement vs. Demand — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on November 6, 2023
A requirement is a necessity or condition that must be met, while a demand is a firm request by someone for something to be provided.
Difference Between Requirement and Demand
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Requirements are conditions or capabilities needed by a user to solve a problem or achieve an objective. Demands are expressions of a strong need or desire, often by a consumer for a product or service. A requirement suggests something is necessary for a particular purpose, whereas demand implies that someone is asking for something forcefully or as a right.
In a project, requirements are identified as part of the planning phase, detailing what needs to be accomplished. In markets, demand refers to the desire and ability of consumers to purchase goods and services. Requirements are fulfilled by meeting specifications or criteria, while demands are fulfilled when the supply matches the consumer's request.
Requirements can exist without demand; for instance, safety requirements must be met for certain products regardless of consumer demand. Conversely, demand does not imply a requirement; customers may demand luxury items, but these are not necessities. Requirements are driven by need and functionality, whereas demand is driven by desire and economic factors.
A job might list requirements, such as qualifications or experience, which applicants must have. In contrast, customers' demand for the latest smartphone creates a market where the product is sold. Requirements are objective, often quantifiable needs, while demand is subjective, based on individual preferences and purchasing power.
In software development, system requirements outline the necessary specifications for the software to function. On the other hand, consumer demand for software features can influence the market and development priorities. While requirements are typically non-negotiable, demand can fluctuate and is influenced by various factors like price, trends, and availability.
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Comparison Chart
Nature
Necessity or essential condition.
Request or call for something.
Origin
Arises from need or specifications.
Arises from desire or expectation.
Fulfillment
Met through compliance or delivery.
Met through supply or provision.
Measurement
Often specific and quantifiable.
Quantified by market desire.
Flexibility
Usually fixed or mandatory.
Can change with market conditions.
Compare with Definitions
Requirement
A condition that must be met for a certain outcome.
Passing the final exam is a requirement for course completion.
Demand
A forceful request for something to be provided or performed.
The customer's demand for a refund was granted.
Requirement
Something obligatory or necessary due to rules or conventions.
Safety helmets are a requirement on the construction site.
Demand
The desire of buyers for goods and services in the marketplace.
There is a high demand for organic products now.
Requirement
A need that is essential for a particular purpose.
A bachelor's degree is a requirement for the job.
Demand
An urgent need for something necessary or desired.
The city's demand for clean water is increasing.
Requirement
In product development and process optimization, a requirement is a singular documented physical or functional need that a particular design, product or process aims to satisfy. It is commonly used in a formal sense in engineering design, including for example in systems engineering, software engineering, or enterprise engineering.
Demand
An insistent and peremptory request, made as if by right.
The union put forward a demand for higher wages.
Requirement
A thing that is needed or wanted
Choose the type of window that suits your requirements best
Demand
The economic principle that consumers will desire more of a good as its price drops.
The law of demand states that demand for a product inversely correlates with its price.
Requirement
Something that is required; a necessity.
Demand
In economics, demand is the quantity of a good that consumers are willing and able to purchase at various prices during a given period of time. The relationship between price and quantity demanded is also called the demand curve.
Requirement
Something obligatory; a prerequisite.
Demand
An insistent and peremptory request, made as of right
A series of demands for far-reaching reforms
Requirement
A necessity or prerequisite; something required or obligatory. Its adpositions are generally of in relation to who or what has given it, on in relation to whom or what it is given to, and for in relation to what is required.
There was a requirement of the government on citizens for paying taxes.
Demand
Ask authoritatively or brusquely
‘Where is she?’ he demanded
The police demanded that he give them the names
Requirement
Something asked.
Demand
To ask for urgently or peremptorily
Demand an investigation into the murder.
Demanding that he leave immediately.
Demanded to speak to the manager.
Requirement
A statement (in domain specific terms) which specifies a verifiable constraint on an implementation that it shall undeniably meet or (a) be deemed unacceptable, or (b) result in implementation failure, or (c) result in system failure.
Demand
To claim as just or due
Demand repayment of a loan.
Requirement
The act of requiring; demand; requisition.
Demand
To ask to be informed of
Demanded an explanation for the interruption.
Requirement
That which is required; an imperative or authoritative command; an essential condition; something needed or necessary; a need.
One of those who believe that they can fill up every requirement contained in the rule of righteousness.
God gave her the child, and gave her too an instinctive knowledge of its nature and requirements.
Demand
To require as useful, just, proper, or necessary; call for
A gem that demands a fine setting.
Requirement
Required activity;
The requirements of his work affected his health
There were many demands on his time
Demand
To lay legal claim to; claim formally.
Requirement
Anything indispensable;
Food and shelter are necessities of life
The essentials of the good life
Allow farmers to buy their requirements under favorable conditions
A place where the requisites of water fuel and fodder can be obtained
Demand
To ask that (something) be done in accordance with a legal requirement.
Requirement
Something that is required in advance;
Latin was a prerequisite for admission
Demand
To make a demand.
Requirement
An essential item or condition demanded by circumstances.
Regular exercise is a requirement for a healthy lifestyle.
Demand
An act of demanding; an urgent request.
Requirement
Criteria to be fulfilled for membership or participation.
There are strict requirements to join the honors society.
Demand
Something demanded
On strike until they get their demands.
Demand
An urgent requirement or need
The heavy demands of her job.
The emotional demands of his marriage.
An increased oxygen demand.
Demand
The state of being sought after
In great demand as a speaker.
Demand
(Economics) The desire for goods or services in an economy, measured as the amount people are ready to buy at a given price
Supply should rise to meet demand.
Demand
A formal claim.
Demand
A request that some act be done or payment made in accordance with a legal requirement.
Demand
(Archaic) An emphatic question or inquiry.
Demand
The desire to purchase goods and services.
Prices usually go up when demand exceeds supply.
Demand
(economics) The amount of a good or service that consumers are willing to buy at a particular price.
Demand
A forceful claim for something.
Modern society is responding to women's demands for equality.
Demand
A requirement.
His job makes many demands on his time.
There is a demand for voluntary health workers in the poorer parts of Africa and Asia.
Demand
An urgent request.
She couldn't ignore the newborn baby's demands for attention.
Demand
An order.
Demand
(electricity supply) More precisely peak demand or peak load, a measure of the maximum power load of a utility's customer over a short period of time; the power load integrated over a specified time interval.
Demand
To request forcefully.
I demand to see the manager.
Demand
To claim a right to something.
The bank is demanding the mortgage payment.
Demand
To ask forcefully for information.
I demand an immediate explanation.
Demand
To require of someone.
This job demands a lot of patience.
Demand
(legal) To issue a summons to court.
Demand
To ask or call for with authority; to claim or seek from, as by authority or right; to claim, as something due; to call for urgently or peremptorily; as, to demand a debt; to demand obedience.
This, in our foresaid holy father's name,Pope Innocent, I do demand of thee.
Demand
To inquire authoritatively or earnestly; to ask, esp. in a peremptory manner; to question.
I did demand what news from Shrewsbury.
Demand
To require as necessary or useful; to be in urgent need of; hence, to call for; as, the case demands care.
Demand
To call into court; to summon.
Demand
To make a demand; to inquire.
The soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do?
Demand
The act of demanding; an asking with authority; a peremptory urging of a claim; a claiming or challenging as due; requisition; as, the demand of a creditor; a note payable on demand.
The demand [is] by the word of the holy ones.
He that has confidence to turn his wishes into demands will be but a little way from thinking he ought to obtain them.
Demand
Earnest inquiry; question; query.
Demand
A diligent seeking or search; manifested want; desire to possess; request; as, a demand for certain goods; a person's company is in great demand.
In 1678 came forth a second edition [Pilgrim's Progress] with additions; and then the demand became immense.
Demand
That which one demands or has a right to demand; thing claimed as due; claim; as, demands on an estate.
Demand
The asking or seeking for what is due or claimed as due.
Demand
The ability and desire to purchase goods and services;
The automobile reduced the demand for buggywhips
The demand exceeded the supply
Demand
An urgent or peremptory request;
His demands for attention were unceasing
Demand
A condition requiring relief;
She satisfied his need for affection
God has no need of men to accomplish His work
There is a demand for jobs
Demand
The act of demanding;
The kidnapper's exorbitant demands for money
Demand
Required activity;
The requirements of his work affected his health
There were many demands on his time
Demand
Request urgently and forcefully;
The victim's family is demanding compensation
The boss demanded that he be fired immediately
She demanded to see the manager
Demand
Require as useful, just, or proper;
It takes nerve to do what she did
Success usually requires hard work
This job asks a lot of patience and skill
This position demands a lot of personal sacrifice
This dinner calls for a spectacular dessert
This intervention does not postulates a patient's consent
Demand
Claim as due or just;
The bank demanded payment of the loan
Demand
Lay legal claim to
Demand
Summon to court
Demand
Ask to be informed of;
I demand an explanation
Common Curiosities
Are requirements optional?
No, requirements are generally mandatory or necessary.
Does demand always mean there is a need?
Not necessarily; demand can be for wants or luxuries as well.
Can a requirement be subjective?
Requirements are usually objective, based on set criteria.
Is demand always economic in nature?
Demand is often economic but can also be social or personal.
Can something be a requirement even if nobody wants it?
Yes, if it fulfills a necessary condition or rule.
Is demand affected by price changes?
Yes, typically demand varies inversely with price.
Do legal regulations constitute requirements?
Yes, legal regulations are a form of mandatory requirements.
Are all demands reasonable or justifiable?
Demands can be unreasonable or beyond what is justifiable.
Do demands have to be voiced to exist?
No, demand can exist as a market force without being explicitly voiced.
Can requirements vary by industry or field?
Yes, they often vary widely between different areas.
Can personal preferences become demands?
Personal preferences can turn into demands if backed by purchasing power or influence.
Are requirements fixed or can they change?
Requirements can change, but they are generally more stable than demands.
Can market research influence demand?
Yes, it can identify and stimulate demand.
Are requirements set by the user or the provider?
They can be set by either or both, depending on the context.
What happens when demand exceeds supply?
It typically leads to higher prices or shortages.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
