What is the purpose of the Requirement Traceability Matrix?

The Requirements Traceability Matrix (RTM) is a document that ensures the requirements defined for a system are linked at all points during the verification process.
Requirements: Requirements of a particular project from the stakeholder.
Traceability: The ability to trace the tests.
Matrix: The data which can be stored in rows and columns form.
A Requirement Verification Matrix (RVM) is typically made up of the following elements:
1. A requirement identification code,
2. Requirement traceability to higher level documents
3. Verification methods to be used
4. The stage(s) where verification occurs
5. The verification procedure identification code.
Purpose of Requirement Traceability Matrix:
A Requirements Traceability Matrix (RTM) is a document used in a software development project to validate that all requirements are linked to test cases. This helps to ensure that all requirements are met during the testing phase.
Requirements traceability is very important to manage our requirements in effective manner.
Meeting Goals:
Requirement Traceability Matrix is a proof that we have completed the project on time and we are met compliance requirements.
Running the Test Case:
Requirement Traceability Matrix will help the user what needs to be tested and it will mapping the each test cases. So that user can implement the requirements correctly.
Decision Making:
Requirement Traceability Matrix plays a vital role in taking the decision making for throughout the product development.
Parameters of Requirement Traceability Matrix:
• Requirement ID
• Requirement Type and Description
• Test case ID
• Test case status

Requirement ID Requirement Description Test Case ID Status
163 Login Database T22, T23, T24 T22 – Pass
T23 – Pass
T24 – Fail
185 Create Letter T34, T35, T36 T34 – Pass
T35 – No run
T36 – Fail
198 Close the Task T98, T94, T97 T94 – Pass
T98 – Pass
T97 – Pass

The above table shows the Requirement Traceability Matrix status. It contains the Requirement ID of the project, Requirement description of the project, Test case ID of the project and status. Here, we can find the status of each requirement and the progress of the requirement.
Benefits of Requirement Traceability Matrix:
This is more effective and easier way to trace the progress and how impact the project. For each stage will have the documentation and will have the more attention of missing requirements of the project. We can track the defect easily and it can be faster solution.
There are three types of requirement traceability matrix,
• Forward Traceability Matrix
• Backward Traceability Matrix
• Bidirectional Traceability Matrix

Requirement Traceability Matrix is required to determine the project goals, and about the project direction is going on right way or not and the timelines of the project.
We can create the requirement Traceability matrix in excel and will have all the requirement in spread sheet and it can be documented, so that it is very easier to validate and check the status and issues.

Sample Template:
Requirement Traceability Matrix
Project Manager: Project ID:
Project Sponsor: Project Title:

Requirement Information Relationship Traceability
ID Category Requirement Priority Source Business Objective Deliverables Verification Validation
Req 1 Mandatory Customer able to login system High Production Increase productivity UAT