vaatimuskehys

Vaatimuskehys is a Finnish term that translates to "requirements framework" in English. It refers to a structured approach for eliciting, documenting, analyzing, and managing the requirements of a project, especially within software development and systems engineering contexts. A vaatimuskehys provides a common vocabulary and set of practices that help stakeholders communicate effectively and reduce the risk of misunderstandings.

The concept emerged in the early 1990s as part of Finland’s growing emphasis on quality and efficiency in public sector IT projects. Over time the framework has been influenced by international standards such as the International Requirements Engineering Board (IREB) Good Practice Guidelines and ISO/IEC 25010. In Finland, agencies such as the Ministry of Finance and the Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra have adopted specific guidelines that are often referred to colloquially as a vaatimuskehys.

A typical vaatimuskehys contains several key components: a taxonomy of requirement types (functional, non‑functional, domain, or business requirements), templates for capturing requirement details, a traceability matrix linking requirements to design artifacts, and quality criteria that assess completeness, consistency, and feasibility. It also defines roles and responsibilities for requirement owners, reviewers, and the project governance body.

Practitioners use a vaatimuskehys in project planning meetings, requirements workshops, and during the verification phase. The framework assists in early risk identification, supports automated requirements management tools, and facilitates alignment between technical teams and business stakeholders. While the framework itself is not a standard, many Finnish organizations have embedded vaatimuskehys principles into their project management and procurement processes, contributing to higher success rates and greater transparency in public and private sector initiatives.