What is ISO-IEC 29148:2018?

Introduction

ISO-IEC 29148:2018 is an international standard that provides guidelines for the specification of software and systems requirements. It defines a set of processes and practices to ensure effective communication between stakeholders involved in the development and maintenance of software and systems.

Key Features

This standard emphasizes clear, concise, and unambiguous requirements documentation. It outlines principles and guidelines for requirements engineering and assists organizations in establishing their own requirements engineering processes.

One of the key features of ISO-IEC 29148:2018 is its focus on capturing requirements using natural language. The standard encourages the use of simple and easily understandable language to facilitate communication among different stakeholders, including end-users, developers, and managers.

Benefits

Adhering to ISO-IEC 29148:2018 brings several benefits to organizations engaged in software and systems development:

Improved Communication: The standard ensures that requirements are clearly communicated and understood by all parties involved. This helps reduce misunderstandings and improves collaboration.

Enhanced Quality: Effective requirements engineering leads to better quality products as requirements are accurately captured and addressed during the development process. This results in a reduced number of defects and rework.

Cost and Time Savings: By utilizing the standard's guidelines, organizations can streamline the requirements engineering process, leading to reduced project timelines and cost savings.

Implementation Challenges

While ISO-IEC 29148:2018 provides valuable guidance, implementation challenges may arise. Some common challenges include:

Training and Awareness: Organizations may need to invest in training programs to ensure that all stakeholders are familiar with the standard's principles and practices.

Legacy Systems: Implementation of the standard may require adapting existing requirements documentation processes and tools, which can be challenging for organizations heavily reliant on legacy systems.

Changing Requirements: As software and system requirements evolve, maintaining alignment with ISO-IEC 29148:2018 may pose challenges. Organizations need to establish change management processes to handle evolving requirements effectively.

In conclusion, ISO-IEC 29148:2018 is an important standard that promotes effective requirements engineering. By following its guidelines, organizations can improve communication, enhance product quality, and achieve cost and time savings. While implementation challenges may exist, the benefits of adopting this standard make it a valuable investment for any organization involved in software and systems development.