A Structural Equation Modeling Based Evaluation of Relationship between
Software Requirement Qualities and Project Success Factors
Abstract
Context: Successful software projects control the challenges of
project delays, cost overrun and delivering quality software products
that satisfy customer needs. The specified software requirements are
fundamental input of planning, executing, monitoring and controlling
software development processes. In addition, software requirements drive
software design, code, test cases, and documentation of software
product. Therefore, quality of software requirements hold a critical
importance for a successful software project. Objectives: This
study empirically evaluates the perception of software professionals
regarding relationship between qualities of software requirements and
project success factors. Method: The study comprises of two
steps. First we conducted a systematic mapping study and we identified
16 requirement qualities and their related 4 project success factors
through analyzing 25 primary studies published between 2000 and 2024. In
addition, we proposed a research model using the requirement qualities
and the success factors. Second, we statistically validated the research
model based on a survey among 202 software professionals. The Structural
Equation Modeling (SEM) is applied on the survey responses to identify
statistically significant requirement qualities and their relationship
with the success factors. The SEM uses exploratory and confirmatory
factor analysis and hypothesis testing. Results: The SEM
confirms that survey responses of software professionals fit the
research model. It confirms strong belief of software professionals that
ten out of sixteen requirement qualities (RQ) are related to project
success in terms of the cost containment, quality of software products,
and effective software project management. The RQ include frozen system
requirements, volatile requirements, requirement creep, unattainable
requirements, and requirement change control, gold plating, requirements
forward traceability, requirements backward traceability and verifiable
requirements. Discussion: This study identified and evaluated
requirement qualities related to project success factors. We recommend
project managers to consider the proposed research model in better
planning and executing requirements management process during software
development life cycle.