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PAT-068 - SwRR - Software Requirements Milestone Review Checklist

AI (gpt-4o)

The Software Requirements Review (SwRR) exit criteria detailed in NASA-HDBK-2203, Topic 7.09, are designed to ensure that the software requirements for a project are fully defined, documented, traceable, and ready for the next phase of design and development. The SwRR verifies that the requirements align with mission objectives, system-level requirements, and stakeholder expectations. Meeting these criteria reduces the risk of design errors and ensures a solid foundation for software development. Below is a summary of the Software SwRR Exit Criteria:

Summary of Software SwRR Exit Criteria

1. Requirements Completeness:
   • All software requirements must be identified, documented, and reviewed for completeness.
   • Requirements should cover functional, performance, interface, safety, reliability, security, and operational aspects.
2. Requirements Traceability:
   • Software requirements must be traceable to system-level requirements and mission objectives.
   • Bidirectional traceability must link high-level requirements to detailed software specifications and vice versa.
3. Interface Definition:
   • All internal and external interfaces related to the software must be defined and documented.
   • Interface requirements must reflect integration with hardware, other software components, systems, and external dependencies.
4. Accuracy and Consistency:
   • Requirements must be consistent, unambiguous, and free of contradictions.
   • Updates to requirements must not introduce errors or conflicts.
5. Feasibility and Risk Assessment:
   • Each requirement must be assessed for technical feasibility within project constraints (time, cost, resources, etc.).
   • Risks related to requirements (e.g., incomplete, overly complex, or overly ambitious requirements) must be identified with mitigation plans documented.
6. Verification and Validation Planning:
   • All requirements must include measurable acceptance criteria to enable verification and validation (V&V) during testing and development phases.
   • A clear plan should outline how requirements will be verified (tests, analyses, inspections, etc.).
7. Safety and Security Requirements:
   • Safety-critical and security requirements must be identified and fully specified.
   • Hazards linked to software must be assessable and mitigated through corresponding requirements.
8. Stakeholder Approval and Alignment:
   • Requirements must reflect stakeholder inputs and be formally reviewed and approved by project leadership, system engineers, and software assurance teams.
9. Documentation Completeness:
   • All requirements documentation, including the Software Requirements Specification (SRS), must be complete, reviewed, and accessible to relevant personnel.
   • Supporting artifacts like requirements matrices, dependency analyses, and risk assessments should also be finalized.
10. Plans for Updates and Maintenance:
    • Processes for managing requirement changes or updates during development must be established, including mechanisms for ensuring traceability and assessing impacts of changes.

Key Purpose of Software SwRR Exit Criteria

The SwRR exit criteria ensure that the project has a clear and agreed-upon set of software requirements, providing the foundation for subsequent phases such as design, implementation, and testing. Specifically, the SwRR:

• Confirms that requirements are complete, consistent, feasible, and traceable.
• Reduces downstream risks caused by incomplete or incorrect requirements.
• Ensures stakeholder alignment and buy-in for the project's scope and goals.
• Prepares the project team to proceed confidently into design and development.

Conclusion: The SwRR exit criteria are critical for establishing the baseline requirements for software development. By thoroughly addressing these criteria, NASA ensures that the project begins with a strong foundation, minimizing risks and ensuring that the software will meet mission objectives efficiently and effectively.