Depending on your development environment, keeping track of project requirements can be difficult. Some projects may have only a few requirements, whereas others may have dozens. For software development, several types of requirements should be considered, including:
Business necessities
Specifications for users
UI specifications
Functional and non-functional needs
Technical prerequisites
It is not uncommon for businesses to release new software that contains flaws and bugs that cost thousands of dollars. Depending on the severity of the problem, a large corporation could be out millions of dollars in minutes.
This is where a traceability matrix comes into play to prevent costly errors. We’ll show you how to use this solution to take your project management skills to the next level, as well as how to advance your career!
In this article, we will discuss the following topics to provide you with a broad understanding of what RTM is, RTM types and tools, and more, including:
What exactly is a traceability matrix?
What exactly is a requirements traceability matrix (RTM)?
RTM Advantages
How does one go about creating a traceability matrix?
Traceability matrix types
RTM (requirements traceability matrix) tools
What exactly is a Traceability Matrix?
A traceability matrix (TM) is a document that compares the completeness of any two baselined documents that require a many-to-many relationship comparison.
A traceability matrix is primarily used to
Keep an eye on the requirements.
Ensure that all project requirements are met.
What does the Requirements Traceability Matrix (RTM) stand for?
So, what makes the requirements traceability matrix (RTM) unique?
RTM captures all client requirements and their traceability in a single document delivered at the end of the life cycle.
This is where the software industry enters the picture. RTM is a document used in a software development project to ensure that all requirements are linked to test cases. The primary reason project managers use RTM is to ensure that all requirements are met during the testing phase.
RTM is frequently used to assess the impact of project requirements. When requirements change in the middle of a project, a traceability matrix shows you which workflows, test cases, training materials, software code, and so on are affected.
Whether you’re just starting out in project management training or have a few years under your belt, it’s critical that you understand the requirements traceability matrix and how it can help your project management processes and career.
RTM Advantages
While we’ve discussed the benefits of the requirements traceability matrix, let’s get into some specifics.
Versioning is Simpler and More Efficient
As a project manager, it’s not uncommon for your project’s requirements to change at some point. RTM assists you in tracing these shifts and how they affect every aspect of your project.
Don’t Ignore Documentation
A traceability matrix can aid in your team’s effort to provide proper and consistent documentation. A TM allows you to see if a requirement is fully documented, from test cases to wireframes to user stories. A requirement traceability matrix can even highlight requirements that are missing.
Taking Care of Defects
Assume you’re working as a test manager on a large software project. With a large backlog of defects, you must prioritize the most important issues first.
A traceability matrix can help you filter defects related to critical requirements, as well as defect severity, priority, and other factors. Finally, RTM ensures that all tests are covered.
How to Make a Traceability Matrix
Now that you’re aware of the advantages, let’s go over the steps for developing a requirements traceability matrix.
If you’re new to RTM, this may appear to be a lot of information to take in at once. Fortunately, there are numerous videos, templates, examples, and tutorials available to get you started on your learning journey. Here’s a quick and simple explanation:
Establish your RTM objectives by outlining your motivation for creating the RTM.
Collect all available requirement documentation, such as the technical requirement document (TRD) or functional requirement document (FRD), as well as the business requirement document (BRD). You will also require testing documentation such as test cases, results, and bugs.
An Excel spreadsheet can be used to create a simple RTM document. Make a column for each of the following: business requirements, functional requirements, test cases, test results, and bugs. Then, assign a requirement ID number to each requirement from BRD.
Take the FRD and list all of the functional requirements that correspond to each business requirement.
Connect the test case IDs to the functional requirements.
Finally, remember to update your traceability matrix whenever something changes.
Now that you have a basic understanding of how to create RTM, let’s look at the different types and tools.
Traceability Matrix Varieties
RTM is classified into three types: forward traceability, backward traceability, and bidirectional traceability.
1. Traceability in the Future
To map the requirements to the test cases, forward traceability is used. This will not only ensure that every requirement is tested from top to bottom, but it will also help to confirm that a project’s trajectory is sound.
2. Matrix of Backward Traceability
By mapping test cases to requirements, you can create a backward traceability matrix. This helps you avoid “scope creep,” or going above and beyond the initial requirements unnecessarily.
3. Traceability in both directions
Bidirectional traceability combines forward and reverse traceability into a single document. This type is useful because it establishes that each requirement is accompanied by a set of test cases.
Tools for Requirements Traceability Matrix (RTM)
If using an Excel spreadsheet isn’t your thing, consider the following requirements management tools:
Visure Requirements: Visure Solutions, which focuses on business-critical and safety-critical industries, provides this tool. Its Visure Requirements tool offers full traceability.
Modern Requirements4DevOps: This tool integrates with Microsoft’s Azure DevOps, TFS, and VSTS and provides project managers with traceability at each stage of the process.
ReQtest: A cloud-based tool that provides traceability from project inception to completion. It has a highly customizable requirement module that helps project managers quickly evaluate and trace changes.
Template for the Requirements Traceability Matrix (RTM).
You can use the Requirements Traceability Matrix (RTM) template below to learn how to write the description, include stakeholders, other requirements, deadlines, estimated time of arrival (ETA), and more.
Project Management at the Next Level
SPOTO Learning is proud to answer your requirements traceability matrix questions, and we encourage you to continue your professional development! Enroll in our PMP Certification Training Course if you’re ready to take your project management career to the next level and learn the ins and outs of RTM.
The globally recognized PMP certification can assist you in obtaining lucrative positions in IT, manufacturing, finance, healthcare, and other exciting industries. Individuals with the PMP certification drive better project performance and are frequently rewarded with significant pay raises.
