  In requirements engineering (RE), knowledge is mainly communicated via
written specifications. This practice is cumbersome due to its low
communication richness and effectiveness. In contrast, videos can transfer
knowledge more richly and effectively. However, video is still a neglected
medium in RE. We investigate if software professionals perceive video as a
medium that can contribute to RE. We focus on their attitudes towards video as
a medium in RE including its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.
We conducted a survey to explore these attitudes with a questionnaire. 64 out
of 106 software professionals completed the survey. The respondents' overall
attitude towards video is positive. 59 of them stated that video has the
potential to improve RE. However, 34 respondents also mentioned threats of
videos for RE. We identified the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and
threats of videos for RE from the point of view of software professionals.
Video is a medium with a neglected potential. Software professionals do not
fundamentally reject videos in RE. Despite the strengths and opportunities of
video, the stated weaknesses and threats impede its application. Based on our
findings, we conclude that software professionals need guidance on how to
produce and use videos for visual communication to take full advantage of the
currently neglected potential.
