What is requirements traceability and why is it important?

Question

Accepted Answer

**Requirements Traceability** — linking requirements to their sources, design, code, and tests.

**Why important:**
- Ensures all requirements are implemented.
- Helps impact analysis when requirements change.
- Supports audit and compliance.
- Identifies orphan or missing requirements.

**Traceability Matrix:**
```
| Requirement | Source   | Design | Code     | Test     |
|-------------|----------|--------|----------|----------|
| REQ-001     | Stakeholder | UC-1 | Auth.ts  | TC-001   |
| REQ-002     | Legal    | UC-2   | Audit.ts | TC-002   |
```

**Types of traceability:**
- **Forward traceability** — requirement to implementation.
- **Backward traceability** — implementation to requirement.
- **Bi-directional** — both directions.

Systems Analyst: What is requirements traceability and why is it important?