Software Engineering – Dr Ghazy Assassa Page 1 of 4

Software Engineering

Requirements Traceability Matrix (RTM):

Template
and Examples
Software Engineering – Dr Ghazy Assassa Page 2 of 4

Requirements Traceability Matrix (RTM)

Displays
ƒ all of the functional requirements from the SRS (S/W Requirement Specification),
ƒ the design components that address each requirement,
ƒ the source files and procedures within them that implement the requirement, and
ƒ the test cases that verify the proper implementation of the requirement.

RTM commercial tools available: (see http://www.incose.org/workgrps/tools/contacts.html).

How to build RTM

ƒ Start the RTM as soon as the SRS has been base lined.
ƒ Populate it as development progresses, rather than waiting until the end of the project to fill in all the boxes.
ƒ By entering information into the matrix as it becomes available, the matrix becomes a working tool that helps to prevent problems
with the final product, not just a time-wasting overhead activity.
Software Engineering – Dr Ghazy Assassa Page 3 of 4

Requirements Traceability Matrix (RTM) Template

System: System Start Date:
Client: System Scheduled Delivery Date:

Filling sequence

S/W Development Phase

Requirement Design Implementation Testing
Architect

(Class/ Method /
ure
Use Case #/

Programmer
Procedure)
Diagram: (Unit (Pass

Function /
S/W Test
Story #

Tester
Req Req Class/ Source / / Test
Priority

Subsyste Case
Analyst

# Name Sequence/ file Sys) Fail) Comments

m/ #
State Test Test
Module
Software Engineering – Dr Ghazy Assassa Page 4 of 4

Requirements Traceability Matrix (RTM) Template

System: System Start Date:
Client: System Scheduled Delivery Date:

Filling sequence

S/W Development Phase

Requirement Design Implementation Testing
Architect

(Class/ Method /
ure

Use Case #/

Programmer
Procedure)
Diagram: (Unit (Pass

Function /
S/W Test

Story #

Tester
Req Req Class/ Source / / Test
Priority
Analyst Subsyste Case
# Name Sequence/ file Sys) Fail) Comments
m/ #
State Test Test
Module

R1.1 Balance Inquiry L A Balance bal_1.c get_Balan IA Unit 3.1

A ce and 3.2
sys
R1.2 Cash withdrawal H A Cash cash_1.c withdraw IB 9.1
A 9.2
9.3

R2 Cash deposit M A Cash cash_1.c deposit IA 5.1

H 5.2

R4 Bill payment L S