In the world of project management, ensuring that all project requirements are met sounds like a daunting task. Really it is. At this point, there are some tools that project managers will use. They make their work easier as they use it. As an experienced project manager, I can say that I have witnessed firsthand the benefits that requirements traceability matrix brings to the table.
It would be wrong to see it as just another document that you have to deal with to keep the project going. To me it is a vital project product. It always helped me to find out which way should I go.
Entering the world of project management, I admit that I had my doubts about how useful requirements traceability matrix could be. To be honest, I thought it was too simple to expect such huge benefits from a tool. Some of my colleagues thought it would be time consuming to create and I was impressed with their feedback. However once I got really into the action my judgments from what I heard when I was a freshman project manager were shattered. Using it is not a chore, it is a must.
When we think that unmet needs will always negatively affect the success of the project, it can be said that using this tool in accordance with its purpose will increase the chances of success of the project.
Requirements traceability matrix played a key role in my work in defining project scope. I was able to efficiently direct the efforts of the project team. Also, when it comes to quality management, I have increased traceability thanks to requirements traceability matrix. I was able to improve the overall quality of the project outputs by ensuring that every requirement was rigorously tested and verified.
We can say that the Requirements traceability matrix shows its effect in various project performance domains. The most important of these is the planning performance domain, which helps create a clear roadmap for meeting requirements. In the delivery performance domain however its use is very important as it provides continuous monitoring of requirements to ensure on time delivery. Additionally, within the measurement performance domain, we can leverage requirements traceability matrix's ability to provide a comprehensive view of requirement progress and project success metrics.
How to use - An example - Case Study
Step 1: Requirements Gathering
You start by collaborating with stakeholders, including the marketing team, designers, developers, and quality assurance experts, to gather all the project requirements. These could include user interface specifications, payment gateway integration, product filtering options, and security measures.
Step 2: Creating the RTM
This matrix has rows representing each requirement and columns for various stages of the project lifecycle, such as design, development, testing, and deployment.
Step 3: Mapping Requirements
You cross-reference each requirement to its corresponding activities throughout the project. For example, Requirement R1 (User Interface Specifications) may be mapped to Design, Development, and Testing stages, ensuring that the user interface is thoroughly reviewed and tested before deployment.
Step 4: Identify Gaps
You can easily identify any gaps or missing links between requirements and project activities. If, for instance, Requirement R2 is not linked to the Development stage, it indicates a gap in the project plan, prompting you to address the issue proactively.
Step 5: Enhancing Accountability
As the project progresses, it holds team members accountable for fulfilling each requirement. By tracking their progress against the matrix, you should monitor the completion status and ensure nothing slips through the cracks.
Step 6: Change Management
If there are changes in requirements during the project, you update it accordingly. This helps in assessing the impact of changes on different stages and allows for better decision making and resource allocation.