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Lookup NU author(s): Dr Paul Arkley, Dr Stephen RiddleORCiD
To modify complex computer-based systems requires a detailed understanding of their functionality. Requirements Traceability can help the engineer to gain that understanding, but several surveys have observed that traceability information is poorly recorded. We argue that the cause is the lack of direct perceived benefit to the main development process. As a consequence traceability information will be incomplete, inaccurate and out-of-date. We propose a method of recording traceability information, a Traceable Development Contract (TDC), as a means of reducing this problem by tackling the issue of an upstream functional development team imposing changes on a downstream development team. The contract makes the recording of traceability information beneficial to the downstream functional team as it provides a means of specifying the obligations on the upstream team. We also consider the practicalities of implementing such a contract and how it could be further exploited to obtain project development metrics.
Author(s): Arkley P, Riddle S
Publication type: Report
Publication status: Published
Series Title: School of Computing Science Technical Report Series
Year: 2005
Pages: 7
Print publication date: 01/04/2005
Source Publication Date: April 2005
Report Number: 906
Institution: School of Computing Science, University of Newcastle upon Tyne
Place Published: Newcastle upon Tyne
URL: http://www.cs.ncl.ac.uk/publications/trs/papers/906.pdf
