9.1 Introduction

Systems engineers and managers need the right instruments to assist them with the requirements management process. A variety of tools currently exist. This chapter presents an overview of one of these tools - DOORS (Version 7.1). DOORS (Dynamic Object Oriented Requirements System) is a leading requirements management tool used by tens of thousands of engineers around the world. The tool was originally created by QSS Ltd, Oxford, and is now developed and marketed by Telelogic.

DOORS is a multi-platform, enterprise-wide requirements management tool designed to capture, link, trace, analyze and manage a wide range of information to ensure a project's compliance to specified requirements and standards. DOORS provides for the communication of business needs, allows cross-functional teams to collaborate on development projects to meet these needs and enables one to validate that the right system is being built, and is being built right. The views provided by DOORS on the screen provide a powerful familiar navigation mechanism.

Throughout this chapter reference will be made to a case study for a family sailing boat.

9.2 The Case for Requirements Management

Today, systems engineers require effective requirements management in order to provide solutions. Requirements management is the process that captures, traces and manages stakeholder needs and the changes that occur throughout a project's lifecycle. Products, too, are becoming more complex, to...