Case Study: The IRS Got Audited, Leading It To Improve Software Requirements Practices

When faced with a mandate to improve its software requirements practices, the United States Internal Revenue Service's (IRS) Business Rules and Requirements Management (BRRM) team stepped up to the plate and embraced the opportunity for improvement. It created a robust requirements engineering framework that is customizable based on a project's characteristics. The team uses the company's business rules engine to manage a series of tailoring questions and create a project team's customized methodology and list of required project artifacts. The team also supports the IRS's improvement of software requirements through a comprehensive training program, consulting and coaching services, and proactive outreach. Organizations seeking to improve their software requirements can learn a lot by applying these best practices.