A Requirements Tracing Tool

A software development aid termed the Requirements Tracing Tool is described. Though originally designed to facilitate requirements analysis and thus simplify system verification and validation, it has also proven useful as an aid for coping with changing software requirements and estimating their consequent cost and schedule impacts. This tool provides system analysts with a mechanism for automated construction, maintenance, and access to a requirements data base—an integrated file containing all types and levels of system requirements. This tool was used during the development of a large Navy undersea acoustic sensor system. It is presently being used to support the Cruise Missile Mission Planning Project. An outline version of this tool is under development.