Knowledge-based approach to requirements engineering using method and domain knowledge

Within information systems development the correct capture of user requirements plays a central role in the construction of effective and flexible systems. This paper views requirements specification as primarily a knowledge intensive activity, and the work reported here follows the premise that the next generation of requirements engineering environments will be knowledge-based. The paper argues that these environments will need to make use of two types of 'requirements analysis' knowledge, namely method and domain knowledge. Method knowledge relates to the design discipline adopted by a systems analyst in order to develop a requirements specification. Much of this knowledge relates to the formalism underlying a particular development approach. The paper discusses how such knowledge may be used to assist analysts, and shows how development methods may be analysed in terms of their conceptual formalisms. It argues that systems analysts make extensive use of domain knowledge when attempting to specify requirements, and analyses the characteristics of this knowledge. A knowledge-based requirements specification environment currently under development is also presented.