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Linking Requirements and Implementation

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Part of the book series: Embedded Systems ((EMSY))

Abstract

During system creation, many aspects of the system are contemplated by architects and designers. Choices regarding the design are made. These choices effect the architecture and implementation of the system. During the design phase, many people involved are aware of the choices made, and information flows freely from person to person. In literature it is reported, and confirmed by our observations, that the information known to everyone during the design phase is not always consolidated into documentation. This can result in links between requirements and implementation being lost over time. When evolving a system, the links between requirements and the actual implementation of the system become crucial in determining the impact of a change, and for estimating the resources required for making that change. In this chapter we show that linking requirements and implementation can be done with little additional effort during the design phase. This ensures that relevant design decisions are documented, and thereby prevents relevant design decision from being lost over time.

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Acknowledgements

I would like to thank all the people from Philips Healthcare MRI that contributed to my work in the Darwin project. Many people from different parts within the organization have provided me with helpful insights and information. For the modelling work regarding the use case, I would specifically like to thank G. Peeren, M. van Helvoort, and P. van Liere. I would also like to thank D. Weertman, who made the measurement sessions at OTM-7 and OTM-23 enjoying.

I would also like to thank the reviewers P. van de Laar, P. van der Spek, R. Theunissen, and P. America for their useful feedback on earlier versions of this chapter.

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Correspondence to Alexander U. Douglas .

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Douglas, A.U. (2010). Linking Requirements and Implementation. In: Van de Laar, P., Punter, T. (eds) Views on Evolvability of Embedded Systems. Embedded Systems. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-90-481-9849-8_9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-90-481-9849-8_9

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-90-481-9848-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-90-481-9849-8

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