What is requirements traceability?

Question

Accepted Answer

**Requirements traceability** — tracking requirements through project lifecycle.

**Purpose:**
- Ensure all requirements are implemented.
- Track changes to requirements.
- Verify test coverage.
- Support impact analysis.

**Traceability matrix:**
```
Requirement ID | Design | Code | Test | Status
BR-001         | D-001  | C-001 | T-001 | Done
BR-002         | D-002  | C-002 | T-002 | In Progress
BR-003         | D-003  | -     | -     | Pending
```

**Types:**
- **Forward traceability** — requirement to implementation.
- **Backward traceability** — implementation to requirement.
- **Bidirectional** — both directions.

**Benefits:**
- Complete coverage.
- Change impact analysis.
- Audit support.
- Quality assurance.

Business Analyst: What is requirements traceability?