Combining Graphical Scenarios with a Requirements Management System

Bo Jiang

Thesis submitted to the
Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies
in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of
Master of Computer Science

Under the auspices of the Ottawa-Carleton Institute for Computer Science
	
University of Ottawa
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
June 2005

© Bo Jiang, Ottawa, Canada, 2005


Abstract

Scenarios have gained in popularity for the description of functional
requirements. However, scenarios cannot specify all types of requirements,
and often they are expressed separately from other requirements. In
order for scenarios to be used in cooperation with complementary
general requirements, both views must be linked in a way that supports
traceability, navigation, and analysis. This thesis proposes an approach
to introduce graphical scenarios (represented as Use Case Maps – UCMs)
into a requirements management system (namely, Telelogic DOORS) and to
maintain relationships from and to external requirements as both views
evolve over time.

In the first part of the thesis, an export mechanism is added to the
Use Case Map Navigator tool that enables the export of UCM models in
a format that can be understood by the target requirements management
system, i.e., DOORS.

In the second part of the thesis, DOORS is enhanced with an import
mechanism to create or update UCM models based on the information
generated by the UCM tool.

Finally, the approach is illustrated with a case study (a supply chain
management business process) that demonstrates how the UCM model, the
external requirements, and their links can be kept consistent as both
views evolve.