TraceabilityMatrix

TraceabilityMatrix is a structured artifact used to document relationships between sets of project artifacts, most commonly between requirements and their associated design elements, implementations, and test cases. It serves as a concise record of how each requirement is addressed by the system and how its validation is planned and executed. The primary purpose is to establish bidirectional traceability: every requirement can be traced to one or more design components and test cases, and every test case can be linked back to the requirement it verifies. This supports verification, validation, change impact analysis, and auditability throughout the project lifecycle.

Common forms include the Requirements Traceability Matrix (RTM), which maps requirements to design, implementation, and tests, and the Test Traceability Matrix, which links test cases to requirements or design nodes. A Design Traceability Matrix may also be used to show coverage from requirements to specific design elements. Construction involves identifying the artifacts to trace, defining the link types, and populating a matrix grid. Rows often represent requirements, while columns represent design elements or test cases, though the orientation can vary. Each cell records whether a link exists and may carry metadata such as status, priority, or rationale.

Usage spans requirements elicitation, design, development, testing, and release readiness. Benefits include explicit coverage, easier impact analysis, and improved change management. Limitations include maintenance overhead, potential for becoming out of date, and reliance on consistent naming and tool support. Tools range from spreadsheets to specialized requirements management or ALM systems.