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The traceability matrix enables you to determine the extent of relationships between requirements and other requirements and between requirements and tests.
Traceability matrix overview
The traceability matrix helps you verify that all requirements are met and identify changes to the scope of your requirements when they occur.
The traceability matrix lists source requirements and their associated requirements and tests. The total number of relationships is listed for each source requirement. A low value may imply that the source requirement is not associated with enough requirements or tests. A high value may imply that the source requirement is too complex and can perhaps be simplified. A zero value indicates that no relationship exists.
Prerequisites of traceability matrix
Before configuring and viewing requirement traceability matrix, make sure you complete the following:
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Add requirement traceability links. For details, see Trace requirements.
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Create test coverage. For details, see Create test coverage.
Configure traceability matrix
Define which source requirements and their associated requirements and tests are included in the traceability matrix.
To configure the traceability matrix:
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In the Requirements module, select View > Traceability Matrix.
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Click the Configure Traceability Matrix button to open the Configure Traceability Matrix wizard.
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In the Define Source Requirement step, filter and sort the source requirements in the Requirements module. For more details on filtering, see Filter dialog box.
Note: Filter settings are not applied to child requirements.
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In the Filter by Linked Requirement step, define the requirements linked to and from the source requirements.
UI Element
Description
Clears the defined configuration.
Set Filter/Sort. Filters and sorts the linked requirements. For more details on filtering, see Filter dialog box.
Clear Filter. Clears the defined filter.
Filter by linked requirements Filters the source requirements by linked requirements.
Include source requirements affected by traced from requirements Shows the source requirements that are impacted by the selected requirements.
Include source requirements not affected by traced from requirements Shows the source requirements that are not impacted by the selected requirements.
Include source requirements affecting direct children and traced to requirements Shows the source requirements that impact their child requirements and their traced to requirements.
Include source requirements affecting direct children Shows the source requirements that impact their child requirements.
Include source requirements affecting traced to requirements Shows the source requirements that impact their traced to requirements.
Include source requirements not affecting direct children and traced to requirements Shows the source requirements that do not impact their child requirements and their traced to requirements.
Include source requirements not affecting direct children Shows the source requirements that do not impact their child requirements.
Include source requirements not affecting traced to requirements Shows the source requirements that do not impact their traced to requirements.
Show source requirements linked to more than <number> of the requirements specified above Shows the source requirements that are linked to more than the specified number of requirements.
This option is available when one of the following options is selected: Include source requirements affected by or Include source requirements affecting.
Show source requirements linked to less than <number> of the requirements specified above Shows the source requirements that are linked to less than the specified number of requirements.
This option is available when one of the following options is selected: Include source requirements affected by or Include source requirements affecting.
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In the Filter by Linked Tests step, define the requirements linked to tests.
UI Element
Description
Clears the defined configuration.
Set Filter/Sort. Filters and sorts the linked tests. For more details on filtering, see Filter dialog box.
Clear Filter. Clears the defined filter.
Filter by linked tests Filters the source requirements by linked tests.
Include source requirements linked to the following tests Shows the source requirements that are linked to the specified tests.
Include source requirements not linked to the following tests Shows the source requirements that are not linked to the specified tests.
Show source requirements linked to less than <number> of the tests specified above Shows the source requirements that are linked to less than the specified number of tests.
This option is available when the Include source requirements linked to the following tests is selected.
Show source requirements linked to more than <number> of the tests specified above Shows the source requirements that are linked to more than the specified number of tests.
This option is available when the Include source requirements linked to the following tests is selected.
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In the Filter by Linked Test Configurations step, define the requirements linked to test configurations.
UI Element
Description
Clears the defined configuration.
Set Filter/Sort. Filters and sorts the linked test configurations. For more details on filtering, see Filter dialog box.
Clear Filter. Clears the defined filter.
Filter by linked test configurations Filters the source requirements by linked test configurations.
Include source requirements linked to the following test configurations Shows the source requirements that are linked to the specified test configurations.
Include source requirements not linked to the following test configurations Shows the source requirements that are not linked to the specified test configurations.
Show source requirements linked to less than <number> of the test configurations specified above Shows the source requirements that are linked to less than the specified number of test configurations.
Note: This option is available when the Include source requirements linked to the following test configurations is selected.
Show source requirements linked to more than <number> of the test configurations specified above Shows the source requirements that are linked to more than the specified number of test configurations.
Note: This option is available when the Include source requirements linked to the following test configurations is selected.
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Click OK.
View traceability matrix
In the Traceability Matrix view, analyze and review the traceability links between requirements, and the links between requirements and tests.
Traceability matrix grid
The traceability matrix grid shows the number of linked requirements and tests of a selected requirement.
| UI Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Name | The requirement name |
| Number of linked tests | The number of tests associated with a selected requirement. |
| Number of traced from requirements | The number of requirements that affect a selected requirement. |
| Number of traced to requirements | The number of requirements that are affected by a selected requirement. |
| Show Full Path | Displays the path of the requirements in the requirements tree. |
Traced From Requirement tab
This tab displays requirements that affect a selected requirement.
This tab is available when the Include source requirements affected by or Include source requirements not affected by option is set in the Filter By Linked Requirements step of the Configure Traceability Matrix wizard. For details, see Configure traceability matrix.
Traced To Requirements tab
This tab displays requirements that are affected by a selected requirement.
This tab is available when the Include source requirements affecting or Include source requirements not affecting option is set in the Filter By Linked Requirements step of the Configure Traceability Matrix wizard. For details, see Configure traceability matrix.
Linked Tests tab
This tab displays tests that are linked to a selected requirement.
This tab is available when the Include source requirements linked to or Include source requirements not linked to option is set in the Filter By Linked Tests step of the Configure Traceability Matrix wizard. For details, see Configure traceability matrix.
