Towards a deeper understanding of quality in requirements engineering

Abstract

The notion of quality in requirements specifications is poorly understood, and in most literature only bread and butter lists of useful properties have been provided. However, the recent frameworks of Lindland et al. and Pohl have tried to take a more systematic approach. In this paper, these two frameworks are reviewed and compared. Although they have different outlook, their deeper structures are not contradictory. The paper also discusses shortcomings of the two frameworks and proposes extensions to the framework of Lindland et al. The extensions build on social construction theory and the resulting framework should contribute to understanding quality in requirements engineering and conceptual modelling.