Requirement Traceability Matrix (RTM)

Requirement Traceability Matrix (RTM) is a document that helps establish and maintain the relationship between requirements and the various stages of the software development life cycle. It provides a systematic way to track and ensure that all requirements are properly addressed throughout the development process. The RTM captures the mapping between requirements, design elements, test cases, and other related artifacts, enabling traceability and facilitating quality assurance efforts.

Requirement ID	Requirement Description	Design	Development	Testing	Defects
REQ-001	Product Search Functionality	Design Document	Implemented in Code	Test Cases TC-001, TC-002	Defects D-001, D-002
REQ-002	User Registration	Design Document	Implemented in Code	Test Cases TC-003, TC-004	–
REQ-003	Add to Cart Functionality	Design Document	Implemented in Code	Test Cases TC-005, TC-006	Defects D-003

In this example, the RTM includes three requirements:

Product Search Functionality (REQ-001), User Registration (REQ-002), and Add to Cart Functionality (REQ-003). Each requirement is associated with different stages of the software development life cycle.

Under the “Design” column, the relevant design documents or artifacts that address the respective requirements are mentioned. This indicates that the design takes into account the specific requirements.

The “Development” column shows that the requirements have been implemented in the code. The unique requirement identifier is often referenced in the code to establish traceability.

In the “Testing” column, the specific test cases that are designed to validate each requirement are listed. These test cases ensure that the requirements are thoroughly tested.

The “Defects” column tracks any defects found during testing that are associated with the respective requirements. Each defect is assigned a unique identifier (e.g., D-001) for traceability.

The RTM helps stakeholders understand the status and progress of each requirement throughout the development lifecycle, ensuring that all requirements are adequately addressed and tested. It enables traceability and facilitates quality assurance efforts by providing a clear mapping between requirements, design, development, testing, and defect management.