requirementbased

Requirementbased is an approach that places documented user or system requirements at the core of the development or assessment process. In this model, the entire lifecycle—from concept and design to implementation and testing—is guided by a set of explicit, agreed‑upon requirements. The term is frequently associated with formal methods in software engineering, systems engineering, and quality management, as well as with regulatory frameworks that demand traceability and verification against stated mandates.

Requirementbased processes are characterized by early and continuous specification, rigorous validation of each requirement, and explicit traceability links between requirements, design artifacts, and test cases. The emphasis on traceability is intended to reduce ambiguity, ensure accountability, and facilitate impact analysis when changes occur. For safety‑critical industries—such as aerospace, defense, and medical devices—requirementbased development is often mandated by standards such as DO‑178C, IEC 61508, or ISO 26262. In these contexts, the approach supports compliance audits and provides evidence that safety goals are satisfied through systematic design and testing.

In contrast to risk‑based or goal‑oriented methods, which may prioritize perceived risks or outcome metrics, requirementbased methodology prioritizes the complete and accurate documentation of required behaviour. Critics point out that this can lead to rigid processes, especially in fast‑moving domains where requirements evolve quickly. Nonetheless, hybrid models have emerged, combining requirementbased rigor with iterative feedback loops, enabling organizations to maintain compliance while still benefiting from agile practices.

Overall, requirementbased strategy remains a foundational principle in formal system development, governance, and quality assurance, offering a structured and auditable pathway from intent to deliverable.