Requirements engineering education using expert system and role-play training

In this paper, we propose a method for use in requirements engineering education in a university, and based on 3 principles. (1) A type of expert system, which accumulates business domain knowledge related to the customer´s business field, and answers learners´ question on behalf of the customer is necessary. (2) Group-work role-play training is essential to elicit customer´s real requirements and analyze them from various points of view. (3) A software agent system to monitor learner´s behavior during role-play training, and act as an advisor in giving timely advice to learners is necessary. Learners who have no practical experience in defining requirements may follow a recommended procedure to elicit requirements and analyze them. In order to confirm the effectiveness of the proposed method, we have implemented an exercise for corporate workers and fourth undergraduate students. Requirements modeling skill level of the students was increased to the same skill levels of the corporate workers by using proposed method. The students got to understand the importance of the requirements and get them into shape.