What is the impact of neglecting to track the origin of requirements when gathering them?

Neglecting to track the origin of requirements when gathering them can lead to significant challenges in the requirements management process. By not maintaining a clear record of where each requirement originated, it becomes difficult to ensure that all requirements are accurately understood and implemented according to stakeholder needs.

One major impact is that when there are questions about specific requirements, such as their purpose or the stakeholders’ intent behind them, it can be challenging to clarify these points without origin information. This can hinder the development team's ability to make informed decisions and adjustments. Additionally, it may complicate the process of tracing requirements through to design, implementation, and testing, which is critical for ensuring that the final product meets the intended objectives.

Furthermore, if changes to requirements are necessary later in the development lifecycle, understanding their origin will help assess the impact of these changes and manage stakeholder relationships effectively. Therefore, the inability to track the origin can create confusion, misalignment, and potentially lead to the implementation of requirements that fail to meet user needs, resulting in a product that doesn’t align with stakeholder expectations.

Consequently, tracking the origin of requirements is vitally important to maintain clarity and facilitate proper management throughout the project lifecycle, making option B comprehensive in capturing the challenges linked to neglecting this practice.