The basis for successful RE is a common understanding of the terms used. The CPRE Glossary covers the core terms of Requirements Engineering—it is the central reference work across all CPRE modules and levels!
The glossaries are also available in various languages for download.
The CPRE Glossary: An overview of the most important Requirements Engineering terms
Please note that the definitions of terms in the glossaries are deliberately in English only in order to exclude any ambiguities or scope for interpretation that may result from translations.
The capability of a ↑system to achieve an acceptable level of probability that the system, under defined conditions, will not reach a state in which human life, health, property, or the environment is endangered.
Safety ↑requirements may be stated as ↑quality requirements or in terms of ↑functional requirements.
The range of things that can be shaped and designed when developing a ↑system .
The degree to which a ↑system protects its data and resources against unauthorized access or use and secures unobstructed access and use for its legitimate ↑users.
Security requirements may be stated as ↑quality requirements or in terms of ↑functional requirements.
The meaning of a sign or a set of signs in a ↑language .
The provision of some ↑functionality to a human or a ↑system by a provider (a system, organization, group or individual) that delivers value to the receiver.
A ↑requirements specification pertaining to a software ↑system .
Abbreviation: SRS
An ↑iteration in ↑agile development, particularly when using ↑Scrum.
A person or organization who influences a ↑system’s ↑requirements or who is impacted by that system.
Influence can also be indirect. For example, some stakeholders may have to follow instructions issued by their managers or organizations.
A ↑requirement expressing a ↑stakeholder desire or need.
Stakeholder requirements are typically written by stakeholders and express their desires and needs from their perspective.
A formal, possibly mandatory set of regulations for how to interpret, develop, manufacture or execute something.
In RE, there are RE-relevant standards issued by ISO/IEC and IEEE.
A diagrammatic representation of a ↑state machine .
A ↑state machine having states that are hierarchically and/or orthogonally decomposed.
A word having the same meaning as another word.
The rules for constructing structured signs in a ↑language .
The part of a ↑system’s environment that is relevant for the definition as well as the understanding of the ↑requirements of a ↑system to be developed.
A ↑requirement pertaining to a ↑system .
A ↑requirements specification pertaining to a ↑system .
A system requirements specification is frequently considered to be a synonym for ↑requirements specification.
Abbreviation: SyRS