What is Requirements Management
From Requirements Management School
Definition - Requirement Management
Requirements need to be elicited, analyzed, negotiated, specified, validated, tracked, and changed/updated during the life of a project. All of this has to take place within a controlled environment so that each requirement can be traced back to a specific need and also traced to a function/feature/piece of code in the system being developed. "Requirements Management" is the control framework that governs this process.
Description - "What" and "Why" Behind Requirements Management
It is vital that the Requirements Management function is in place from inception of the project through to post implementation of the system. One of the goals of this function is to ensure that there are no inconsistencies between the requirements that are identified and the product that is delivered. The process should be robust enough so that if any inconsistencies do arise that they are flagged and rectified in a timely manner.
Essentially the Requirements Management function is a control framework that if used properly helps to prevent the project from veering off course. Requirement Management process must ensure that:
- Negotiations between the stakeholders and project team are facilitated.
- All requirements are fully negotiated, defined and prioritized between the stakeholders.
- A coherent and complete requirements document is issued, agreed upon and kept up to date during the lifecycle of the project.
- Commitment to the requirements is given by all stakeholders.
- Any changes to requirements during the project lifecycle are reviewed, verified, negotiated, approved and implemented.
- All changes are fully tracked and traceable.
- All requirements are mapped to test cases; source code; design. This traceability is bidirectional.
Requirements management keeps the requirements documentation up to date and ensures that any changes that are required are reviewed thoroughly prior to approval being given. All changes are tracked for compatibility and to ensure that the project is not creeping off course.
Requirements Management calls for meticulous attention to detail, a global and impartial view of the project.
Requirements Management role one of the most important for any software development project. The difference between an effective or an ineffective Requirements Management process can have a huge influence over the likelihood of success for any given project.
