Requirements Traceability Matrix (RTM): Definition, Types, & Example

Definition:A需求跟踪矩阵(RTM)shows the relationship between requirements and artifacts (e.g., test cases, defects, etc.). An RTM guarantees that all requirements are validated through test cases, and no functionality is skipped throughout the testing process. This results in an excellent finished product.

A requirement traceability matrix documents requirements, tests, test results, and issues.

让我介绍您的要求可追溯性矩阵，通常称为Traceability Requirement Matrix.

需求可追溯性矩阵（RTM）

Before discussing the requirement traceability matrix, let’s understand the requirement traceability.

Requirements Traceability connects a set of requirements to other artifacts to ensure all product requirements have been met. Mostproject management softwareenables the automatic administration of a traceability matrix and integrates with the tools for defect management; for instance, Jira offers a backlog management system and a system for tracking defects.

Traceability can be performed in both directions; it can be performed by tracing from requirements to test cases as well as by tracing test cases back to requirements.

Importance of Requirement Traceability Matrix

项目经理负责了解客户的要求，确保产品没有缺陷，并满足利益相关者的要求。为了提供无缺陷的产品，测试人员将编写测试用例（正面和负面）。为此，测试人员将把要求分解为许多情况和测试案例。然后，测试仪将分别运行每个测试用例。

由于需要可追溯性矩阵，现在可以保证对每个测试案例进行测试，并且不会忽略任何要求。

可追溯性矩阵以Excel电子表格的形式，其中包括要求，测试用例，优先级和执行状态（通过或失败）。这确保了每个标准都可以通过其步伐。它为测试人员提供了他们所需的信息，以了解应该测试的内容。通过将测试用例映射回每个要求，可以改善测试覆盖范围。

The traceability matrix provides an overview of the project status by looking at the percentage of completed test cases. It is also helpful in preventing scope creep and variations in the product and project scope. Any deviation from the scope can be recognized and addressed during the testing phase.

Who Needs Requirement Traceability?

A requirements traceability matrix is useful for any industry that involves software development or hardware production. Particularly in highly regulated businesses to satisfy compliance requirements.

例如，在航空航天行业中维持飞行数据软件的高质量标准至关重要。需要一个可追溯性矩阵来确保满足所有标准。

要求可追溯性矩阵保证，大型且复杂的项目不会忘记任何要求。

Types of Requirements Traceability Matrix

A requirements traceability can be of three types:

1. Forward Traceability:Test cases are mapped according to the requirements. It ensures that all requirements are tested. It checks if requirements are designed, developed, and tested until the product is completed.
2. Backward or Reverse Traceability:根据测试案例映射要求。有时，在这种情况下，最初的设计或代码更改会被冻结，然后将要求进行映射，以确保范围不受影响。
3. 双向（前向 +向后）可追溯性：它通过查看可交付成果来跟踪“向前”和“向后”来跟踪需求。它确保可以将所有测试用例跟踪到要求，并且每个要求都有有效的测试用例。当需求不断变化时，此矩阵很有用。

Parameters for Creating a Requirements Traceability Matrix

No guidelines define what parameters are included in the requirements traceability matrix. However, the following parameters help trace requirements properly:

• Requirement ID
• 要求类型和描述
• Priority
• Test Case with Status

Below is a requirement traceability sample for reference:

Creating a Requirement Traceability Matrix

The following steps are required to create a requirements traceability matrix:

1. 定义目标和里程碑
2. Gather Required Documents
3. 创建一个可追溯性矩阵
4. Validate the Final Result

#1. Define Objectives and Milestones

As the project manager, you are responsible for establishing theproject’s objectives. After the objectives have been determined, they will be broken intomilestones for monitoring.

Consider an example of a retail application for online shopping. The goal is to make the user’s purchase experience as simple as possible. It requires a login module, product listing module, and payment gateway module.

You can define these modules in the RTM as below:

• BR_001 Login Module:It should allow users to log in.
• BR_002产品清单模块：它应该允许用户使用高级过滤器浏览不同的产品。
• BR_003 Payment Gateway Module:It should allow users to make payments through wallets, credit cards, debit cards, etc.

#2. Gather Required Documents

Gather all required documents for building an effective traceability matrix. Documents include Business Requirements Document (BRD), Functional Requirements Document (FRD), Technical Requirements Document (TRD), and Test Case Scenarios Documents as prepared by the testing team.

让我们提取功能要求，如下：

BR_001 Login Module:

• FR_001 With Mobile Number:It should allow users to sign up with a mobile number and OTP.
• FR_002 With Email ID:It should allow users to sign up with an email id.

BR_002产品清单模块：

• FR_003 Sort by:It should allow users to sort products by different prices, customer ratings, popularity, discounts, etc.
• FR_004 Filters:Based on the size, color, and brand, users should be able to apply filters.

BR_003 Payment Gateway Module:

• FR_005 By Wallet:It should allow users to make payments with wallets like google pay, Paytm, etc.
• FR_006 By Credit Card:It should allow users to make payments with different credit cards.
• FR_007借记卡：It should allow users to make payments with different debit cards.

＃3。创建一个可追溯性矩阵

要求可追溯性矩阵不遵守任何特定结构，并且可以根据项目要求进行修改。可以使用用Excel编写的电子表格，用Word编写的文档或自动化项目管理应用程序构建和维护它。

以下是Excel中列出的测试用例：

Consolidating everything, here is the requirements traceability matrix:

As shown above, a requirement traceability matrix will:

• Show the required coverage in test cases
• Design and Execution status of each test case
• 如果有any User Acceptance Testing (UAT), then UAT status can also be captured on the same matrix.

因此，要求可追溯性矩阵是一站式商店，适合所有要求，直到用户接受为止。

#4. Validate the Final Result

一旦创建了需求矩阵的需求，就必须验证所有模块和测试方案均已开发和测试。

要求可追溯性矩阵的示例

The following image shows an example of a requirement traceability matrix.

Advantages of Requirements Traceability Matrix

• Identify Extra Requirements:A requirements traceability matrix connects requirements to the artifact; it gives an idea about missed requirements and identifies if any requirement being developed is not requested by any stakeholder.
• Streamlines the Testing Process:Traceability helps identify requirements that must be tested. High-priority requirements will be traced to ensure they are tested thoroughly.
• Better Change Management:如果有a change request, traceability will show how the change will take place before it is implemented.Stakeholderscan make better decisions by planning to adapt to changes in advance.
• Helps Prioritize Defects:Prioritization is difficult in the case of bulk defects backlog. In such situations, mapping defects to requirements helps address defects efficiently.
• Guaranteeing Project Success:可追溯性有助于控制成本并防止项目延迟，因为避免了不必要的要求。可追溯性提供了要部署的资源的预测以及可用于完成项目的预算。新万博登录手机版
• 易于合规和审计：A proper requirements traceability matrix will help prove compliance faster, and without fear,组织可以获取审核的项目计划。

Conclusion

A requirements traceability matrix, also known as a traceability requirement matrix, is a matrix that divides a project into pieces that can be traced to ensure that each scenario is developed and tested. It ensures that the project will provide a product with the required functionality and fewer flaws or none.

In circumstances where the project contains many flaws, a requirements traceability matrix will assist in prioritizing the flaws that need to be corrected in order of priority. As a result, it is essential to have an accurate requirements traceability matrix to ensure the project’s success.