Traceability And Monitoring Approach
The Traceability and Monitoring Approach is an overarching framework that governs how traceability and change management are conducted in a portfolio, program, project, or product. It outlines the methodologies, procedures, and responsibilities associated with both tracing the lineage of product information and monitoring changes to them.
Components of the Traceability and Monitoring Approach
Types of Objects to Trace: The approach specifies which elements such as requirements, models, or other product information are subject to traceability.
Types of Relationships: It identifies what types of relationships will be established between the objects being traced. This can include parent-child relationships, dependencies, or other associations that are important for understanding the context and impact of each object.
Level of Tracing Detail Required: How granular the traceability needs to be is also defined. This may vary depending on the complexity of the project and the criticality of the elements being traced.
Tracking Information: The approach outlines where and how tracing information will be stored and managed, often utilizing specialized traceability matrices or software tools.
Change Proposal and Review: The monitoring aspect delineates the procedures for proposing changes to existing information, reviewing those changes, and the documentation and communication of decisions.
Roles and Responsibilities: Clear roles and responsibilities are set for team members involved in traceability and monitoring activities.
Information Storage: It addresses how the traced and changed information will be stored, whether in a centralized repository or distributed databases.
Adaptive Nature
The traceability and monitoring approach is not static and can be revised over time. As the project progresses and more elements get added, the approach might need to be updated. The purpose of revisiting the approach is to assess its ongoing value and make adjustments as necessary.
Importance
Alignment and Consistency: Ensuring that the project stays aligned with its initial objectives and that changes are consistently managed.
Change Management: Effectively managing changes to requirements or other project elements is crucial for meeting project objectives and timelines.
Auditability and Accountability: Traceability provides a historical record of changes and decisions, aiding in audits and accountability.
Quality and Risk Management: It aids in identifying and managing risks and ensures that the quality of the end product meets the stakeholder requirements.
Decision-making: A robust approach enables more informed decision-making by providing clarity on the impact of changes or the interdependencies between elements.
Therefore, the Traceability and Monitoring Approach serves as a comprehensive plan for ensuring the consistency, integrity, and quality of product information, while facilitating effective change management. It is integral to the project management and business analysis activities within a portfolio, program, or project.