Model-based approach for change propagation analysis in requirements

Abstract

The need for support related to the complexity management of systems engineering problems, specifically for requirements management and changes is especially necessary during the early stages of the systems engineering process. Indeed, these stages have a tremendous impact on the overall outcome of a project. If not anticipated at early stages, changes in requirements are leading to changes in the design and in the later implementation stages, resulting in an unexpected increase in costs (monetary, time, etc.). The framework proposed in this article for requirements change prediction consists of a three steps process. First, requirements are modeled using SysML with predefined relationships. Second, all the relationships between requirements in the SysML model are transformed into an adjacency matrix also named DSM. A higher order Dependency Structure Matrix is applied; this matrix-based methodology allows support in the prediction of which requirements will be affected after a change in a specific requirement. Third, the change propagation path is visualized. Using this framework, it is possible to predict the possible propagation of changes in requirements. In addition, it is also possible to identify the requirements that can be reused. This can help to save the time and cost for developing a new system.