Requirement Traceability Matrix (RTM)
A Requirement Traceability Matrix (RTM) is a document used in project management that helps to ensure that all requirements of a project are met by tracking the requirements through each stage of the project lifecycle. The RTM provides a tool to manage the relationship between the requirements and the project deliverables. It maps out the requirements, and their relationship to other requirements, the project objectives, and other project deliverables.
The RTM is used to ensure that all requirements have been met and to provide a means for tracing changes to requirements throughout the project. It is also used to manage risk by ensuring that all risks have been identified, mitigated, and monitored throughout the project. The RTM serves as a reference document for the project team, stakeholders, and auditors, and helps to ensure that all requirements are met and documented.
Overall, the RTM is an important tool for project management, as it helps to ensure that all project requirements are met and documented, which can help to ensure the success of the project.
Why is Requirement Traceability Important?
Requirement traceability is important for several reasons, including:
Ensuring all requirements are met : Requirement traceability ensures that all requirements identified in the project are tracked and met through each phase of the project. This helps to ensure that nothing falls through the cracks, which could lead to missed requirements and project failure.
Managing scope : As the project progresses, changes may be requested. Requirement traceability allows the project team to understand the impact of the changes on the project scope and ensure that all necessary adjustments are made.
Supporting project decisions : The RTM can be used as a reference tool to support project decisions. For example, if a change request is made, the RTM can be used to evaluate the impact on other requirements and project objectives before a decision is made.
Mitigating risks : Requirement traceability can help to mitigate project risks by ensuring that all requirements are accounted for and met. It helps to ensure that potential issues and risks are identified early and addressed before they can impact the project.
Facilitating communication : The RTM is a valuable communication tool that can help to ensure that everyone involved in the project understands the requirements and how they are being met. It can also help to facilitate communication between different teams and stakeholders involved in the project.
Overall, requirement traceability is important because it helps to ensure the success of the project by ensuring that all requirements are met, risks are mitigated, and decisions are well-informed.
Who Needs Requirement Traceability?
Requirement traceability is important for anyone involved in a project, including project managers, developers, testers, business analysts, stakeholders, and clients.
Here's how requirement traceability can benefit each of these groups:
Project Managers : Requirement traceability provides project managers with visibility into the status of each requirement, helping them to ensure that the project is progressing as planned and that all requirements are being met.
Developers : Requirement traceability helps developers to understand the relationship between requirements and project deliverables, and to ensure that their work is aligned with the project objectives.
Testers : Requirement traceability helps testers to ensure that all requirements have been tested and that the project meets the quality standards.
Business Analysts : Requirement traceability helps business analysts to ensure that all requirements have been documented and that they are aligned with the project objectives.
Stakeholders : Requirement traceability provides stakeholders with visibility into the project's progress and helps them to understand how requirements are being met.
Clients : Requirement traceability helps clients to ensure that their requirements are being met and that the project is progressing as expected.
In summary, requirement traceability is important for everyone involved in a project, as it provides a common understanding of project requirements and helps to ensure that the project is meeting the stakeholders' expectations.
Simple Requirement Traceability Matrix
| Requirement Number | Requirement Type | Design Specification Reference No(s) | Program Module(if applicable) | Test Reference Number(s) | Status | Status Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Req_001 | Functional Requirement | DS-001 | Login | TC_001, TC_002, TC_003 | TC_001 - Pass TC_002 - FailTC_003 - Pass | DD-MM-YYYY |
| Req_002 | Functional Requirement | DS-002 | Sign-Up | TC_004, TC_005, TC_006 | TC_004 - Pass TC_005 - PassTC_006 - Pass | DD-MM-YYYY |
| Req_003 | Functional Requirement | DS-003 | Product Category | TC_007, TC_008, TC_009 | TC_007 - Pass TC_008 - FailTC_009 - Block | DD-MM-YYYY |
| Req_004 | Functional Requirement | DS-004 | Cart | TC_010, TC_011, TC_012 | TC_010 - Pass TC_011 - FailTC_012 - Pass | DD-MM-YYYY |
| Req_005 | Functional Requirement | DS-005 | My Order | TC_013, TC_014, TC_015 | TC_013 - Pass TC_014 - BlockTC_015 - Block | DD-MM-YYYY |