What does the stability attribute of a requirement indicate?

The stability attribute of a requirement reflects the maturity of the requirement. It indicates how likely it is that the requirement will change over time. A stable requirement is one that has been thoroughly analyzed and understood, and is less likely to undergo alteration as development progresses. This attribute is important in managing project scope and expectations, as requirements that are still in an early stage of development or have not been fully fleshed out are more susceptible to change. Understanding the maturity of a requirement helps stakeholders assess risks and make informed decisions about planning and resource allocation in the development process.

In contrast, while the other attributes mentioned—such as the author, priority, and state in the development lifecycle—are all significant in their own respects, they do not specifically denote how mature or stable a requirement is. The author pertains to ownership, priority indicates the importance level for development, and the state reflects where the requirement stands in the development process, none of which directly relates to the stability of the requirement.