Exchanging Requirements with ReqIF
When companies collaborate on product development, it’s not just ideas that come together, but also tools, processes, and requirements. The exchange of information is often complex and coordinating it all can be a challenge for collaboration. Tools such as objectiF RM, objectiF RPM and in-STEP BLUE, which support the ReqIF format (Requirements Interchange Format), can help. This open standard makes it possible to exchange requirements in a structured, lossless and tool-independent manner.
The Requirements Interchange Format – ReqIF
The Requirements Interchange Format (ReqIF) is an open, XML-based standard that enables the nondestructive exchange of requirements and associated metadata between different requirements engineering tools. No information is lost and no manual conversions are required.
By standardizing the structure and semantics of requirements, ReqIF facilitates collaboration between companies using different tools. ReqIF is now widely used across all industries, including mechanical engineering, aerospace, and healthcare.
Exchange Requirements in a Structured, Secure and Complete Way Using ReqIF
It is permanently efficient once set up. In our tools, you only need to create an exchange configuration once for each partner, regardless of the tool used. This configuration is saved permanently and is accessible at any time for future requirement exchanges.
This means that repeated exchanges with different DOORS instances or other ReqIF-compatible systems can be carried out with minimal effort and just a few clicks. Subsequent changes can also be easily entered and made available.
This makes the exchange process more effective and ensures consistency and reliability throughout the project.
For data exchange to different tools to work smoothly, not only the content, but also its structure and meaning must be clearly assigned. All exchange information, such as the mapping of stereotypes and properties, can be configured directly in the tool.
Separate exchange configurations can be defined for each partner organization. This ensures that data is interpreted correctly during import and export, even if the tools use different terms or structures. This ensures a lossless exchange in the course of the collaboration.
When exchanging requirements, it’s not just about individual texts or values, but about ensuring that the entire context is preserved. With ReqIF-based exchange in our tools, all relevant information is retained in its entirety – including hierarchies, relations and attachments.
This guarantees that the content not only arrives in the target system, but can also be interpreted correctly in its technical context. This reduces misunderstandings and duplicate work, and ensures consistent traceability.
Your Benefits with ReqIF in our Tools
Integrity
No information is lost in the exchange of requests because the format transmits all content complete and unaltered. Validating the requirements during import allows for the early detection of errors.
Productivity
Collaboration between partner companies is facilitated. Large quantities of requirements can be exchanged automatically without the need for manual adjustments.
Compatibility
Requirements, their attributes, and supporting files can be easily transferred between tools for further processing.
Additional Exchange Formats in objectiF RM, objectiF RPM and in-STEP BLUE
Do you still receive requirements lists from your customers as Excel spreadsheets or as additional documents in Word format? No problem, objectiF RPM imports your Excel lists and transfers all columns, filters and comments. For review and release cycles, you can export your requirements as a Word document in no time at all, which fits seamlessly into the existing review processes. This allows you to combine the flexibility of familiar Office formats with the efficiency of consistent, cross-tool management based on ReqIF.
Use ReqIF with the Suitable Software for Your Projects
Import external ReqIF data into your project with just a few clicks or export your requirements as a standardized ReqIF package. You can try the whole process directly in our free trial version.
objectiF RM
The Requirements Engineering and Management Software.
objectiF RPM
The Requirements Engineering and Project Management Software.
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