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What is a Requirements Traceability Matrix (RTM)?

The Requirements Traceability Matrix (RTM) "traces " the project’s deliverables by establishing a thread for each requirement—from the project’s initiation to the final implementation.

Published: Apr 25, 2025
Updated: Aug 20, 2025
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KEY TAKEAWAYS


  • A requirements traceability matrix (RTM) tracks requirements throughout the project lifecycle, ensuring all needs are met and aligned with objectives.
  • RTM enhances visibility by mapping requirements to deliverables, enabling clear communication and accountability.
  • By identifying missed or incomplete requirements early, the requirements traceability matrix minimizes scope creep and ensures project success.

 

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Requirements traceability matrix (RTM) definition

A requirements traceability matrix (RTM) is a document that provides accountability to project requirements by mapping out the relationship between requirements and project work. 

The RTM shows whether or not project requirements are met while providing a record of any testing, issues, and completed items. By using an RTM, teams ensure that test cases are aligned with the needs of the project. 

Example of the fields within an RTM
An example of an RTM, showing some of the fields you can expect to see within the matrix
Download the RTM Template as a Google Sheet

What is traceability? 

Traceability is the foundational component of an RTM. This project management term refers to the ability to trace or map something, which, in this case, is the individual requirements within a larger project life cycle. Traceability tracks project requirements, their status towards completion, and a record of each test that has been run for each requirement. 

Read more: What is Project Management?

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Who uses an RTM? 

RTMs are almost exclusively used by software developers, product teams, and other professionals with highly complex or regulated project needs. One of the main goals of this type of traceability matrix is to trace requirement tests, which is a more specific need for teams creating products such as software and hardware.

While a more general project does typically track project requirements or deliverables, the purpose of an RTM is more geared toward the needs of a technical team that needs to track and test specific features. 

For example, an RTM for a software development team is expected to include heavy details about software testing, issues, bugs, and features to compare product requirements to the sprint backlog. RTMs also help technical teams meet the needs of external stakeholders and clients while communicating with them that those needs have been recorded and met. 

However, for a less technical project, teams sometimes create a much more simplified list that focuses strictly on tracking each team member’s contributions or deliverables, though it would not be considered an RTM specifically. 

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What are the advantages of using RTM?

There are numerous benefits that an RTM provides throughout the project life cycle:

  • Accountability: RTMs help provide accountability to the initial proposal and project terms, making it easier to track requirements and their status against overall project completion.
  • Individual workloads: Because RTMs include information about who requested specific requirements and who is tasked with completing them, they can provide additional clarity on individual contributions and workloads.
  • Project progress: The RTM tracks individual requirements and their status towards completion, highlighting the project’s current progress and estimating its timeline and likelihood of staying on track.
  • Client reassurance: RTMs create a clear record of client requests, reassuring them that their requests and needs are being met and documented thoroughly. 
  • Simplified troubleshooting: If issues arise, the RTM provides a baseline of information for teams to use to troubleshoot failed tests or identify any missing features that should be considered. 
  • Compliance: In hyper-regulated industries, RTMs help ensure compliance not only with client and project needs but also with legal guidelines and regulatory requirements. 
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Free requirements traceability matrix downloadable template

We put together a downloadable template you can use to get started with building your own requirements traceability matrix.

Download the RTM template as a Google Sheet

Tips for completing an RTM

Whether you’re just beginning to draft out a template for your team’s project RTM or have begun filling in essential information, here are top tips to follow to get the most out of the RTM:

  1. Ensure clear expectations: Often, the most critical work when utilizing an RTM comes before the matrix itself is set up. Before you record any requirements within the matrix, make sure that the project team and any internal or external stakeholders are in alignment by meeting to discuss expectations and requirements.
  2. Choose your preferred method: Some teams use RTM software to harness the power of a traceability matrix, whereas others prefer a spreadsheet style or even an old-school paper format. Consider which route is best for your team before diving in.
  3. Make it your own: While RTMs typically include some essential components, you have the option to customize yours to fit the unique needs of your team. Including color coding and labels is more than appropriate to help your team stay organized and make the most out of the matrix. 
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FAQs

Ideally, an RTM should be created as soon as stakeholders and the project team have had the opportunity to discuss project expectations and product specifications. This usually takes place very early in the project life cycle. Once a draft of the RTM has been created, complete with specifications and requirements, it’s a good idea to review it with stakeholders to ensure that all requirements are traced and have translated properly from discussion into the final draft of the matrix. 

Teams are free to personalize the matrix with additional information based on team or project-specific needs, but at a minimum, the requirements traceability matrix should include a list of requirements, test instances, test results, task assignees, and issues. 

Within the RTM model, there are three types of traceability: forward, backward, and bidirectional.

Forward traceability: This refers to the ability to identify and outline future actions towards requirement completion, such as tests and modifications.

Backward traceability: Backward traceability works inversely to forward traceability by mapping test cases and project work back to specific requirements, preventing scope creep and ensuring that no unnecessary work is completed. 

Bidirectional traceability: Bidirectional traceability refers to the ability to trace requirements in a hybrid model of both forward and backward traceability, which provides the most complete method of traceability.

thumbnail Jul Solas

Jewel has been editing and writing professionally for more ten years. She has written for different industries ranging from project management, technology, and retail logistics to media and entertainment. Jewel has created both long-form articles and short-form copies for several multibillion-dollar brands. As a marketing team leader and content manager, Jewel has led a team of talented writers and designers toward creating and achieving collaborative goals.

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