A heterogeneous solution for improving the return on investment of requirements traceability

Abstract

This work describes a best-of-breed approach to traceability, in which the return-on-investment of the requirements traceability effort is maximized through the strategic deployment of a heterogeneous set of traceability techniques. This contrasts with typical traceability practices that tend to utilize a single technique such as a matrix or tool embedded into a requirements management package even though it may not provide the optimal solution for the traceability needs of a diverse set of requirements. The proposed solution, named TraCS (traceability for complex systems), defines project level trace strategies for categories of requirements and establishes links strategically in order to optimize returns of the traceability effort and minimize the risk inherent to software evolution. The paper provides a rationale for heterogeneous traceability, describes an extensible traceability framework, and then defines the process for establishing project level trace strategies. It concludes with an example drawn from a system to control chemical reactions at a catalyst plant.