Some ideas for a method-independent requirements environment

There exist dozens of unique approaches for the specification of software and system-level requirements. Some are state-based some are dataflow-based and some are asynchronous machine-based. Each approach possesses some unique characteristic or quality that makes it appropriate for the specification of some aspect of requirements. The paper explores the problem of using multiple approaches for requirements specification, and offers alternative solutions. One particular solution, a requirements environment based on a method-independent metamodel of requirements will be further explored. The authors describe the Lucite box approach to method-independent requirements engineering. They describes three alternatives for the development of the Lucite box: a classical database; an object repository; and a graph theoretic alternative. Finally they summarise their progress in building the Lucite box