Cross-discipline identification of a unified set of requirements engineering process patterns

The importance of improving requirements engineering (RE) approaches is recognized as a critical problem for computer-based systems in the 1990s. This thesis is an investigation of RE approaches and case studies across disciplines in order to identify any unifying set of RE process patterns. One hypothesis is that computer-based systems design can benefit from lessons learned in other disciplines, to include how to work with users and obtain client agreements, the need to define context and identify scenarios, and the importance of reviewing design history. Similarly, other disciplines may also benefit from RE approaches in computer-based systems.;This dissertation offers the following potential contributions to RE: evidence for the applicability of patterns to RE processes for cross-discipline use, enhancement and generalization of the Gause and Weinberg framework with a unified set of RE process patterns, and cross-discipline sharing of RE process patterns. A concept underlying the RE process patterns is selection of learn-by-doing and learn-before-doing knowledge acquisition strategies appropriate to the problem domain. Limitations include use of retrospective case studies and focus on problem situations versus innovation.;The approach included literature research and case study analysis based on Yin (1993). The exploring requirements framework of Gause and Weinberg (1989) formed the baseline for a set of context-free questions for comparison of RE across disciplines. As a result, case studies were selected and a unified set of RE process patterns were identified for detailed analysis across computer science, management information systems (MIS), product design and manufacturing, physical structure architecture, and systems engineering. Analysis of published cases recognized as successes and failures from each discipline provided supporting evidence for RE process patterns identified in the initial discipline approach research. The RE process patterns analysis was applied against an additional case study based on systems engineering and other discipline activities for the Denver International Airport automated baggage handling system (ABHS). Development of a detailed RE process pattern handbook is recommended. A proposed visualization maps the RE process patterns to a tetrahedron with the chain of designers, other stakeholders, context/action space, and problem/design space nodes.