What is the purpose of the Requirement Traceability Matrix?

The software development process is quite big irrespective of development method used and there can be multiple requirements given by the client. Requirement gathering is the very first step of the SDLC. These requirements are dealt by each team and completed for the next stage.

It becomes very difficult for the teams to get to know about the current status of the requirement as to what phase the requirement is for the further process, and this is where Requirement Traceability Matrix comes in picture.

To understand the purpose of Requirement Traceability Matrix let us understand what it is by breaking it word by word.

Requirement is the need of a User, Traceability is the ability to capture or trace, Matrix is the rows and columns in the form of table to store data.

In simple words Requirement Traceability Matrix or RTM (commonly used abbreviation) is the Table which has the requirements in the form of table to trace through the Software Development Life Cycle phases, but it is Mostly used in Testing phase.

The Requirement Traceability Matrix is created by the Business Analyst in the requirement analysis phase of the software development life cycle. It contains all the requirement given reviewed and approved by the client in a table format.

The purpose of the Requirement Traceability Matrix is as follows:

For Meeting Goals:

A well done traceability indicates the life of a requirement in the Software development Life cycle. It begins at the time a requirement is gathers and it continues on throughout the completion of the requirement. So, it makes sure that your requirements suffice the original goals and complete the requirements as desired.

For Managing Projects:

The Requirement Traceability Matrix is also used for managing projects. We will know the exact progress and we will able to manage the scope of the requirements. The requirement traceability matrix also gives us complete visibility of the requirements across the Software development life cycle.

For Tracking the Requirement:

We can easily track the requirements for the current status of the Development. It also allows to identify missing requirements easily. Easy access for the stake holders for update.

For Testing:

One of the Major and important purpose of RTM is Testing. Using RTM for testing focuses on effective test execution and provide the status of the defects in detail as it include all the requirements in details with all the parameters and the test cases derived from the requirements considering those parameters. It allows complete 100% test coverage which ultimately leads to improving the quality of the delivery.

As an Artifact:

The RTM can serve as an excellent Artifact for the record purpose as it has all the requirement and the details progress till the end throughout the software development life cycle.

It can be also be referred in the audit process as having an RTM will make it easy to show that you have complied with regulations that also means we can avoid additional expenses or delays the audit may cause.