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Requirements Traceability Matrix

Template Library

Requirements Traceability Matrix Template

Connect requirements to source evidence, stakeholders, use cases, verification methods, and downstream engineering impact.

ES-102 Traceability Evidence Chain

Template purpose

Use this template to preserve the evidence chain from vision to requirements and from requirements to downstream engineering work.

Traceability helps reviewers understand why requirements exist, who they serve, how they will be verified, and where they affect planning, architecture, design, testing, release, operations, and governance.

Project

<Project name>

Document control

Field Value
Artifact owner <owner>
Primary reviewers <reviewers>
Status <draft / in review / accepted / revised>
Last updated <YYYY-MM-DD>
Related Engineering Stage ES-102 — Requirements and Constraints
Project workspace target docs/project-workspace/requirements/traceability_matrix.md

Requirement traceability matrix

Requirement ID Requirement Summary Source Evidence Stakeholder / Need Use Case Verification Method Downstream Impact Status
FR-001 <summary> <source> <stakeholder / need> <UC-ID> <test / review / inspection / analysis> <planning / architecture / design / testing / governance / operations> <draft / reviewed / accepted>

Source coverage matrix

Source Evidence Related Requirement IDs Coverage Notes
docs/project-workspace/vision/problem_statement.md <FR/NFR/C IDs> <notes>
docs/project-workspace/vision/vision_statement.md <FR/NFR/C IDs> <notes>
docs/project-workspace/vision/stakeholders.md <FR/NFR/C IDs> <notes>
docs/project-workspace/vision/scope.md <FR/NFR/C IDs> <notes>
docs/project-workspace/vision/assumptions.md <FR/NFR/C IDs> <notes>
docs/project-workspace/vision/success_metrics.md <FR/NFR/C IDs> <notes>

Verification coverage matrix

Requirement ID Verification Method Evidence Expected Later Owner
<FR/NFR/C ID> <test / review / inspection / monitoring / analysis / audit> <test result, review record, monitoring signal, audit evidence> <owner>

Downstream impact matrix

Requirement ID Planning Impact Architecture / Design Impact Testing Impact Release / Operations Impact
<FR/NFR/C ID> <impact> <impact> <impact> <impact>

Requirements without source evidence

Requirement ID Issue Action
<requirement ID> <issue> <action>

Requirements without verification approach

Requirement ID Issue Action
<requirement ID> <issue> <action>

Requirements with unresolved AI, data, or governance implications

Requirement ID Concern Follow-up Needed
<requirement ID> <concern> <follow-up>

Traceability review notes

<Notes from review.>

Review checklist

  • [ ] Requirements trace to source evidence.
  • [ ] Requirements trace to stakeholders or needs.
  • [ ] Use cases are linked where relevant.
  • [ ] Verification methods are identified.
  • [ ] Downstream impact is visible.
  • [ ] Untraced requirements are listed.
  • [ ] Requirements without verification are listed.
  • [ ] AI, data, and governance traceability gaps are visible.

Continue to Requirements Review

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