Necessity vs. Requirement — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Urooj Arif — Updated on March 29, 2024
Necessity refers to something essential or unavoidable, crucial for survival or the functioning of a system, while requirement denotes a specific condition or element that must be met or fulfilled for a particular purpose.
Difference Between Necessity and Requirement
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Necessity implies something fundamentally essential, often tied to survival, basic needs, or the inherent functioning of a process or system. It suggests an indispensable condition or thing without which a particular state or action would not be possible. In contrast, a requirement is a stipulated condition or criteria that has been designated as necessary to achieve a specific outcome, fulfill a purpose, or meet a standard. It often involves compliance or adherence to predefined specifications.
While necessity speaks to the core needs or unavoidable conditions that ensure the continuation or existence of life, processes, or systems, requirements are defined by external criteria, rules, or objectives that dictate the need for specific actions, qualities, or items. Whereas necessities are universally understood and arise from intrinsic needs or natural conditions, requirements are context-specific, varying according to goals, systems, or regulatory standards.
The concept of necessity often involves a sense of urgency or fundamental importance, highlighting elements that are critical for survival or the seamless operation of a system. On the other hand, requirements, though important, denote conditions or components that have been identified as necessary to meet particular goals or standards but are not inherently essential outside those specified contexts.
In practical applications, necessities are typically non-negotiable and universally acknowledged (e.g., water for life, security for safety), underpinning the basic structure and function of life or systems. Requirements, however, can be tailored, modified, or specified according to different objectives, projects, or regulatory frameworks, reflecting a level of adaptability and variability.
The determination of what constitutes a necessity often comes from an understanding of fundamental human needs, physical laws, or essential system functionalities. In contrast, requirements are determined through planning, regulation, and consensus, aiming to outline specific conditions or attributes necessary for achieving desired outcomes or compliance within particular contexts.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Something fundamentally essential or unavoidable.
A specific condition or element needed for a purpose.
Origin
Intrinsic needs or natural conditions.
Defined by objectives, standards, or regulations.
Universality
Universal and non-negotiable.
Context-specific and variable.
Implication
Essential for survival or functioning.
Necessary to meet specific goals or standards.
Flexibility
Typically non-negotiable.
Can be tailored or modified.
Compare with Definitions
Necessity
Something essential for survival.
Water is a necessity for all living creatures.
Requirement
A condition that must be fulfilled.
Passing an exam is a requirement for graduation.
Necessity
An unavoidable condition.
In cold climates, heating is a necessity.
Requirement
A necessary element in a process.
A valid ID is a requirement for international travel.
Necessity
Fundamental need.
Education is considered a basic necessity in modern societies.
Requirement
Specified criteria to be met.
The job has several requirements, including experience and education.
Necessity
Required for the basic functioning of a system.
Security is a necessity in software development.
Requirement
Defined need for a specific purpose.
Attendance is a requirement for course credit.
Necessity
Indispensable element.
In desert environments, shade is a necessity to avoid heatstroke.
Requirement
Stipulated standard for compliance.
Safety gear is a requirement on construction sites.
Necessity
The condition or quality of being necessary.
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.
Necessity
Something necessary
The necessities of life include food, clothing, and shelter.
Requirement
A thing that is needed or wanted
Choose the type of window that suits your requirements best
Necessity
Something dictated by invariable physical laws.
Requirement
Something that is required; a necessity.
Necessity
The force exerted by circumstance.
Requirement
Something obligatory; a prerequisite.
Necessity
The state or fact of being in need.
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.
Necessity
Pressing or urgent need, especially that arising from poverty.
Requirement
Something asked.
Necessity
The quality or state of being necessary, unavoidable, or absolutely requisite.
I bought a new table out of necessity. My old one was ruined.
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.
Necessity
The condition of being needy; desperate need; lack.
Requirement
The act of requiring; demand; requisition.
Necessity
Something necessary; a requisite; something indispensable.
A tent is a necessity if you plan on camping.
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.
Necessity
Something which makes an act or an event unavoidable; an irresistible force; overruling power.
After eating a full meal, the human body's necessity for food will compel the person to eat again in the future.
Requirement
Required activity;
The requirements of his work affected his health
There were many demands on his time
Necessity
The negation of freedom in voluntary action; the subjection of all phenomena, whether material or spiritual, to inevitable causation; necessitarianism. en
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
Necessity
(legal) Greater utilitarian good; used in justification of a criminal act.
Doctrine of necessity
Requirement
Something that is required in advance;
Latin was a prerequisite for admission
Necessity
Indispensable requirements (of life).
Necessity
The quality or state of being necessary, unavoidable, or absolutely requisite; inevitableness; indispensableness.
Necessity
The condition of being needy or necessitous; pressing need; indigence; want.
Urge the necessity and state of times.
The extreme poverty and necessity his majesty was in.
Necessity
That which is necessary; a necessary; a requisite; something indispensable; - often in the plural.
These should be hours for necessities,Not for delights.
What was once to meMere matter of the fancy, now has grownThe vast necessity of heart and life.
Necessity
That which makes an act or an event unavoidable; irresistible force; overruling power; compulsion, physical or moral; fate; fatality.
So spake the fiend, and with necessity,The tyrant's plea, excused his devilish deeds.
Necessity
The negation of freedom in voluntary action; the subjection of all phenomena, whether material or spiritual, to inevitable causation; necessitarianism.
Necessity
The condition of being essential or indispensable
Necessity
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
Common Curiosities
Is a necessity always a requirement?
While all necessities can be considered requirements in their contexts (e.g., water for life), not all requirements are necessities outside their specific purposes.
Can requirements vary between different systems or objectives?
Yes, requirements can vary widely depending on the objectives, standards, or systems they are designed to support or regulate.
Can a requirement become a necessity?
In certain contexts, a requirement can be so fundamental to achieving an objective that it becomes a necessity within that specific framework.
Why is it important to differentiate between necessities and requirements?
Differentiating helps in prioritizing actions, resources, and planning, ensuring that essential needs are met before addressing conditional needs.
How do economic factors affect necessities and requirements?
Economic factors can influence access to necessities by affecting availability and affordability, while also impacting the feasibility and scope of requirements for projects or services.
What distinguishes a necessity from a requirement?
Necessity is about fundamental or essential needs, often intrinsic and non-negotiable, while requirements are specific conditions set to achieve or fulfill a particular purpose.
Can requirements be negotiated or changed?
Requirements can often be negotiated or adapted, especially in projects or systems where flexibility is possible to better meet objectives or accommodate new information.
How do you identify a necessity?
A necessity is identified by its fundamental role in survival, basic functioning, or the unavoidable nature of its need.
What role do legal frameworks play in defining requirements?
Legal frameworks establish requirements that govern behaviors, processes, and standards to ensure safety, fairness, and compliance within societies and industries.
How do regulatory bodies determine requirements?
Requirements are determined through research, consensus, and the setting of standards aimed at ensuring safety, quality, and efficacy.
Do necessities change over time?
While basic human necessities like food, water, and shelter remain constant, what constitutes a necessity can evolve with societal, technological, and environmental changes.
Can something be a necessity in one context but not another?
Yes, certain conditions or elements might be necessities in specific contexts (e.g., specific medicines for survival) but not universally required outside those situations.
Can technological advancements change necessities?
Technological advancements can introduce new necessities (e.g., internet access for education) and eliminate old ones by providing alternative solutions to meet basic needs.
How does culture influence what is considered a necessity?
Culture can shape perceptions of necessities by valuing certain conditions, goods, or practices as essential for well-being or social functioning, reflecting societal priorities and values.
Are there ethical considerations in determining necessities and requirements?
Ethical considerations play a crucial role, especially in ensuring that necessities are accessible to all and that requirements do not unfairly exclude or burden certain groups.
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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.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
