What is the purpose of a Requirements Traceability Matrix?

The Requirements Traceability Matrix is an essential tool that is used to map the requirements/ features with its test cases. This is a way to understand if all the user stories have been worked on, tested and if there were any defects or bugs after testing the functionalities. The matrix can be used in different phases of the Software Development Life Cycle.

The traceability can be done forward or backward. Forward traceability is requirements, designing, coding etc backward from coding to requirements.

The Requirements Traceability Matrix can be used in the different phases of the project life cycle:

• While analyzing the requirements gathered
• Analysis of the Design
• The risk analysis phase
• Testing Analysis phase
• Validation phase

Types of Requirements Traceability Matrix.

• Forward traceability: The method is used to track the progress of the project and the direction in which it is progressing. It helps in tracking if every requirement has been added to the product and the test cases positive and negative are prepared. It maps the project from the requirements to the tests.
• Backward traceability: It is a traceability method used to track the progress of the project from test cases to the requirements. It is a way to understand if the scope has not been expanded by adding more features or design elements.
• Bi-directional traceability: All requirements need to be covered by test cases. It further analyses the impact of a change in a requirement that would have occurred due to a defect noticed in the product.

Advantages of a Requirements Traceability Matrix

• All the requirements are tested.
• If any requirement has not been worked on or tested it can be highlighted in the matrix.
• Defects if any that have occurred can be shown on the matrix.
• It helps in ensuring the product is ready for UAT and deployment.
• If any defects or problems during the project have gone unidentified or unresolved the matrix will help us to track back and work on that defect.
• The grid will help us to focus on the things that need to be done but also fix bugs that need to be done as a priority.
• The matrix is also an accountability tool to help track if the team is on the right path.
• It is a visual representation of the association between the business needs or requirements and the product that is being developed.

How to create a Requirements Traceability matrix?

It can be done by mapping the business requirements of the project to the test cases.

Business requirement document or the BRD

Test Case Document

Requirements Traceability Matrix

To make sure that we have achieved our desired goal. We map the business requirements along with the test cases in the Requirements Traceability Matrix.