Modelling the Strategic Alignment of Software Requirements using Goal Graphs

TL;DR

This paper proposes a goal graph-based methodology with metrics and confidence levels to better demonstrate the strategic alignment of software requirements with business objectives, supported by a tool and case study.

Contribution

It introduces a novel methodology that quantifies goal contributions in goal graphs, enhancing the analysis of requirements alignment with business goals.

Findings

Quantification of goal contributions improves clarity

Methodology supports explicit linkage between requirements and business problems

Case study demonstrates practical applicability

Abstract

This paper builds on existing Goal Oriented Requirements Engineering (GORE) research by presenting a methodology with a supporting tool for analysing and demonstrating the alignment between software requirements and business objectives. Current GORE methodologies can be used to relate business goals to software goals through goal abstraction in goal graphs. However, we argue that unless the extent of goal-goal contribution is quantified with verifiable metrics and confidence levels, goal graphs are not sufficient for demonstrating the strategic alignment of software requirements. We introduce our methodology using an example software project from Rolls-Royce. We conclude that our methodology can improve requirements by making the relationships to business problems explicit, thereby disambiguating a requirement's underlying purpose and value.