ReqIF project groups

Task and objective

Clients and contractors often manage requirements using different requirements management (RM) systems, which complicates the coordination processes in distributed product development. The Requirements Interchange Format (ReqIF) enables the exchange of requirements between different tools based on an XML file. The objective of the ReqIF Implementor Forum (ReqIF IF) is to ensure the interoperability of the tools used for ReqIF exchange. This project group is where vendors come together to agree on conventions that go beyond the standard, conduct interoperability tests, discuss insights gained in the field and prepare benchmarks.
The activities pursued by the prostep ivip Association in the field of requirements management are supplemented by the ReqIF Workflow Forum (ReqIF WF), where user companies examine common exchange processes and scenarios. The aim of the project group is to promote wider dissemination and industrial application of the standard. Since 2018, the efforts of both forums have been supported by regular benchmarks that make it possible to evaluate the use of ReqIF when exchanging requirements and improve the interoperability of RM systems.

Focus and concrete results

The ReqIF IF and ReqIF WF work together to monitor and process use cases and problems dealing with the standard format. Proposals for solutions to three existing issues relating to ReqIF 1.2 were submitted to the OMG. A discussion on what a future ReqIF 1.3 standard could look like was launched. The issue of how to deal with the reuse of requirements was also the object of intense discussion by the ReqIF IF this year.
Both forums work together continuously and also prepare the ReqIF benchmarks together. Two joint workshops were held last year to improve collaboration with the benchmark team. In these workshops, those involved clarified the objective of the benchmark and presented the results.
A fifth benchmark for independently evaluating data exchange between RM systems using ReqIF was brought to a close in 2023. The import of a requirements package, which had been modified by the OEM, into the supplier's RM system was evaluated, among other things. Requirements and test cases were defined by the WF, which also managed the benchmark, while the vendors in the IF provided the software to be tested. A short version of the results of the benchmark is available to the public; a more detailed report is available to members of the prostep ivip Association and VDA.

Organizational and technical challenges

Coordinating and executing this year's benchmark, with a total of 56 system combinations and 2,800 criteria to be evaluated, was an exciting and at the same time challenging task. The ongoing close cooperation with vendors was essential for successful execution of the benchmark and made an important contribution to optimizing ReqIF-based data exchange.

Planning for the current year 2024

In 2024, the ReqIF WF will continue to work on existing use cases and define new use cases, while ReqIF IF will implement existing and new requirements such as exporting specific versions of specifications. Both project groups will also plan a sixth benchmark, which will be launched this year. The test scenario, test data and test criteria are to be adapted based on the experience gained from the fifth benchmark and the requirements from the WF, with the aim of making targeted improvements to the interoperability of the RM systems in the context of ReqIF-based requirements exchange.

What the project coordinator says:

"Coordination of the three project groups, ReqIF WF, IF and BM, has been excellent, especially when problems cropped up unexpectedly. Particularly worthy of note here are the joint workshops, which improved collaboration significantly and speeded up decision-making."

What the project manager says:

"The results of the 2023 benchmark indicate that the loss-free exchange of requirements is not always possible. The reasons for this are limitations imposed by the RM systems themselves and non-ReqIF-compliant exchange files. We hope that the next benchmark will show participating vendors where there is further potential for improvement so that the exchange of requirements can be made even more efficient."