Traceability matrices can be established using a variety of
tools including requirements management software, databases, spreadsheets, or
even with tables or hyperlinks in a word processor.
A traceability matrix is created by associating requirements
with the work products that satisfy them. Tests are associated with the
requirements on which they are based and the product tested to meet the
requirement.
Above is a simple traceability matrix structure. There can be
more things included in a traceability matrix than shown. In traceability, the
relationship of driver to satisfier can be one-to-one, one-to-many, many-to-one,
or many-to-many.
Traceability requires unique identifiers for each requirement
and product. Numbers for products are established in a configuration management
(CM) plan.
Traceability ensures completeness, that all lower level
requirements come from higher level requirements, and that all higher level
requirements are allocated to lower level requirements. Traceability is also
used to manage change and provides the basis for test planning.