When can a traceability matrix be considered complete?

A traceability matrix is considered complete when the origin and status of each requirement are tracked. This means that every requirement can be traced back to its source, allowing for a clear understanding of where it came from, its purpose, and how it relates to other requirements, as well as its current status in the project lifecycle.

Complete traceability ensures that every requirement has been accounted for, which is crucial for ensuring that nothing is overlooked or misunderstood during the entire development process. This completion helps stakeholders understand how requirements interconnect, facilitates impact analysis during changes, and supports verification and validation processes.

Documenting all requirements, implementing them, or verifying them through testing, while important stages in the requirements lifecycle, do not, in themselves, ensure full traceability. If the origin and status of the requirements are not tracked, it would be difficult to confirm that all requirements have been addressed correctly or to manage changes effectively.