Abstract:
The Success of software projects heavily and critically depends on the effectiveness of Requirements
Engineering (RE) and the Requirements Engineering Process Improvement (REPI). This research study
adopts and applies System Thinking/System Dynamics (SD) approach to the complex and dynamic REPI
process. The research paper presents a unified model for improving quality software and delivery. Review
of the state-the-art practice in RE and REPI literature indicates six categories of problem that motivated
the research work reported in this paper. Poor RE and REPI processes make projects to fall behind
schedule, encounter budget over-shoots and poor software specification and development. The research
study seeks to understand these problems from a feedback control point of view due to lack of
quantitative data and agreement on the nature of deficiencies in the current RE and REPI processes. The
model developed therefore not seen to be an answer to the existing RE and REPI problems, but as an aid
tool for research, researchers and RE stakeholders to advance a deeper understanding needed to answer
them. The study identifies several strategies for performing REPI research from empirical to paradigm
shift and isolates hot areas of research that address RE and REPI needs for effective software product
delivery. Development of the model contributes to research by providing foundation for theory building
on RE and RE improvement management of software projects in learning institutions, RE, REPI and
software stakeholders.
