How to Create a Requirements Traceability Matrix(RTM)

How to Create a Requirements Traceability Matrix

Introduction
A successful project cannot be achieved without the project manager having an excellent organizational skill set. Information must be readily available upon demand. A good project manager will be able to identify what works and what is broken in an instant. Having a requirements traceability matrix is an invaluable tool to accomplish this.

Things You'll Need
· Project deliverables
· Business requirements catalog
· Use cases

Steps:

Step One:
Create a template. There are many on the web from which to choose. The project manager, sponsor and decision makers will thank you when they are receiving information in a consistent and logical format.

Step Two:
Transfer data from your Business Requirements Catalog. You will need, at bare minimum, the exact requirement identified from the Business Requirements Catalog that you need to have already created.

Step Three:
Identify the requirement with a unique ID. The business requirements document should have already assigned an identifier that you will use in this matrix. If not, you will create one now and insert it next to the applicable requirement.

Step Four:
Copy the Use Case ID into the traceability matrix. You may or may not have used use cases to develop your requirements. If you did, you will have an identifier on your use case. You must transfer the ID to this matrix in order to see out of what data or scenario this requirement was born.

Step Five:
Insert the System Requirements Specification (SRS) ID into the traceability matrix. You might not be the actual author of the SRS, but there must be a line on the matrix to trace the business requirement to the corresponding system requirement needed.

Step Six:
Insert the testing data into the traceability matrix. There are many different testing methods and procedures that can be used in any project. The traceability matrix must account for the types of tests used in this project. This should clearly indicate the specific test type, the date tested and the outcome of pass/fail.

Step Seven:
Review your data. Your matrix should now clearly show the specific deliverable requirements from conception clearly through testing. This will ensure that nothing gets moved into production haphazardly and when asked, the Project Manager now has this information at the ready.


Sample Example: