REDEST - 14 best practice SME experiments with innovative requirements gathering techniques

The paper aims to convey the ongoing achievements of the REDEST project (EC funded). REDEST encompasses 14 independent SME experiments with new requirements gathering techniques. Project structure - 3 groups of SME experiments (Spanish, German, Hungarian), Local Coordinators (CARSA - Spain, ATB - Germany, MTA-SZTAKI - Hungary), and Technical Support (SQS - Spain). Each SME is developing and implementing their own innovative requirements engineering (RE) techniques into a baseline project. The SMEs design, manufacture and market their own equipment, and all possess different levels of RE experience and knowledge (very basic to skilled). The challenge of this project is not just to advance the technical capabilities of each SME through experimentation, but to connect 14 independent experiments, nurture experience-sharing, and tackle related issues such as organisational obstacles, communication, user involvement, etc. Aside from the technical, RE has a very definite human angle. The paper conveys efforts in this area.