Francisco A. C. Pinheiro

Universidade de Brasilia

Departamento de Ciência da Computação

facp@cic.unb.br

Abstract. We discuss some formal and informal issues regarding requirements tracing. Our view is that requirements tracing needs are guided by necessity and not by any pre-defined structure. On the other hand the use of formal techniques and formalization of requirements tracing itself is essential for an efficient automation and has many benefits such as allowing verification. We present an abstract formal model for tracing with some capability to meet the informal needs of requirements tracing such as the use of informal or unstructured information and the need to trace information not thought of in advance.

Keywords: Requirements traceability, requirements models, requirements processes