Cutting through the Jungle: Disambiguating Model-based Traceability Terminology

Traceability, a classic requirements engineering topic, is increasingly used in the context of model-based engineering. However, researchers and practitioners lack a concise terminology to discuss aspects of requirements traceability in situations in which engineers heavily rely on models and model-based engineering. While others have previously surveyed the domain, no one has so far provided a clear, unambiguous set of terms that can be used to discuss traceability in such a context. We therefore set out to cut a path through the jungle of terminology for model-based traceability, ground it in established terminology from requirements engineering, and derive an unambiguous set of relevant terms. We also map the terminology used in existing primary and secondary studies to our taxonomy to show differences and commonalities. The contribution of this paper is thus a terminology for model-based traceability that allows requirements engineers and engineers working with models to unambiguously discuss their joint traceability efforts.