The State of Requirements Management

© 2007 Jama Software

The State of Requirement Management


Portland, OregonDowntown Headquarters

John Simpson


About the Survey

203 professionals worldwide

40% business analysts

Companies big and small

Diverse industries


© 2007 Jama Software© 2008 Jama Software

“Managing the rapid change of requirements and traceability is our toughest challenge.”

Take-away: Fundamentals still apply

- Survey participant



“We’re a fast follower. We watch the

competition closely and then make it better.”

Take-away: Speed does matter




“Lavish R&D budgets don’t deliver better

performance. Customer focus does.”

Take-away: Ask your customers

- Booz Allen Hamilton,Global Innovation 1000 Report

© 2007 - 2009 Jama Software. All rights reserved.

How often do you elicit requirements from your customers?

Live Poll Question



“Our goal is to deliver quality software in a

reduced timeframe using an iterative approach to

development and systematic testing.”

Take-away: Enhance and release




Take-away: Complexity impacts success

TeamScope Success



“You have to manage change effectively, or it

will manage you.”

Take-away: Change is a reality – manage it



Is change management an issue for your team?

Live Poll Question



“To avoid conflicts, teams should all agree on the

shared goals and metrics as much as possible.”

Take-away: Satisfaction #1, but get consensus

- Jeff Lash, author of blogHow to Be a Good Product Manager


Is your team in sync on how you measure success?

Live Poll Question





“Some of the biggest problems come from

pursuing what the customer says they want, without determining what

they really need.”

Take-away: Success rates still suffer




“It depends highly on the project characteristics,

so it varies from Waterfall to Agile.”

Take-away: Many companies use a mix



Which process does your team use?

Live Poll Question




“Requirements management is a communication process.

Collaboration happens when everyone has the same

understanding of the requirements.”

Take-away: Documents still dominate, but collaboration in RM is on the rise.




What’s your favorite genre of music?

Live Poll Question


Summary: So, what did we learn?

No substitute for the fundamentals

Customers really do rule

Change and complexity – deal with it

Companies use a mix of processes

Collaboration meets requirements


Participate in the 2009 Survey

10 Minutes 20 Questions

Next Step


Questions?

John Simpson

[email protected]

The State of Requirements Management

Business

deliverquality software

survey participant

live poll questionwhats

requirements management

team use

success rates

communication process

complexity deal