ABSTRACT. This paper presents a framework that guides the requirements engineer in the implementation and execution of an effective requirements generation process. We achieve this goal by providing a well-defined requirements engineering model and a criteria based process for optimizing method selection for attendant activities. Current models address only portions of the requirements process or include activities defined at higher levels of abstraction; this often obscures the implementation aspects of the requirements process. Our model, unlike other models, addresses the complete requirements generation process and consists of activities defined at more adequate levels of abstraction. Additionally, activity objectives are identified and explicitly statednot implied as in the current models. Activity objectives are crucial as they drive the selection of methods for each activity. Thus, our model guides the requirements engineer through the requirements generation process by providing a clear transition path for requirements through adequately decomposed, welldefined activities. Our model also incorporates a unique approach to verification and validation that enhances quality and reduces the cost of generating requirements. To assist in the selection of methods, we have mapped commonly used methods to activities based on their objectives. In addition, we have identified method selection criteria and prescribed a reduced set of methods that optimize these criteria for each activity defined by our requirements generation process. Thus, the defined approach assists in the task of selecting methods by using selection criteria to reduce a large collection of potential methods to a smaller, manageable set. The model and the set of methods, taken together, provide the much needed guidance for the effective implementation and execution of the requirements generation process.
This paper presents a unique approach to connecting requirements engineering activities into a process framework that can be employed to obtain quality requirements with reduced expenditures of effort and cost. It is well understood that early detection and correction of errors offers the greatest potential for improving requirements quality and avoiding cost overruns in the development of software systems. To realize the maximum benefits of this ideology, we propose a two-phase model that is novel in that it introduces the concept of verification and validation (V&V) early in the requirements life cycle. In the first phase, we perform V&V immediately following the elicitation of requirements for each individually distinct function of the system. Because the first phase focuses on capturing smaller sets of related requirements iteratively, each corresponding V&V activity is better focused for detecting and correcting errors in each requirement set. In the second phase, a complementary verification activity is initiated; the corresponding focus is on the quality of linkages between requirements sets rather than on the requirements within the sets. Consequently, this approach reduces the effort in verification and enhances the focus on the verification task. The second phase also addresses the business concerns collectively, and thereby produces requirements that are not only quality adherent, but are also business compliant. Our approach, unlike other models, has a minimal time delay between the elicitation of requirements and the execution of the V&V activities. Because of this short time gap, the stakeholders have a clearer recollection of the requirements, their context and rationale; this enhances the feedback during the V&V activities. Furthermore, our model includes activities that closely align with the effective requirements engineering processes employed in the software industry. Thus, our approach facilitates a better understanding of the flow of requirements, and provides guidance for the implementation of the requirements engineering process. This paper describes a well-defined, two-phase requirements engineering approach that incorporates the principles of early V&V to provide the benefits of reduced costs and enhanced quality requirements.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
customersupport@researchsolutions.com
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.