What does a requirements traceability matrix do?

The requirements traceability matrix is a crucial tool in business analysis and project management that serves to establish a clear connection between requirements and their origins, ensuring that each requirement is tracked throughout the project lifecycle.

Choosing this option reflects an understanding of its primary function: it systematically documents and maintains a record of requirements, linking them back to their original source—whether that be stakeholder requests, business objectives, or specific regulations. This linkage helps ensure that the requirements are not only captured but also adequately addressed and fulfilled during the development process. By maintaining a correspondence between what was requested and what is delivered, the matrix aids in managing change and verifies that each requirement is accounted for in the final product.

Furthermore, a requirements traceability matrix is instrumental in validating that all requirements have been met and helps avoid scope creep by providing a clear reference point during the project development phases. This systematic method enhances communication among stakeholders and supports testing efforts, as testers can refer to the matrix to ascertain that all requirements have been satisfied before project completion.