Quantitative Analysis of Requirements Evolution across Multiple Versions of an Industrial Software Product

Requirements evolution is one of critical problems influencing software engineering activities. Despite there is much research on requirements evolution, there still lacks quantitative understanding of requirements evolution. In this paper, we quantitatively analyze requirements evolution across multiple versions of an industrial software product. Based on data of requirements evolution and defects, we analyze the relationship between requirements evolution and requirements as well as between defects and requirements evolution. We also analyze the evolution characteristics about requirements modification. Our findings include estimation of the number of defects using evolved requirements may increase accuracy of defect estimation and business rule is the most volatile part in requirements. These findings deepen our understanding of requirements evolution and can help software organizations manage requirements evolution.