Title: Challenges to requirements management in complex rail transport projects

Authors: Yu Chen; Julie R. Jupp

Addresses: Faculty of Engineering and IT, University of Technology Sydney, Level 6, Bld. 11, 81 Broadway, Ultimo NSW 2007, Australia ' Faculty of Engineering and IT, University of Technology Sydney, Level 6, Bld. 11, 81 Broadway, Ultimo NSW 2007, Australia

Abstract: This paper presents a study of requirements management practices on rail transport projects, focusing on the planning and acquisition stages. Linear rail networks are comprised of connected cyber-physical systems. As the transport sector embraces digital twinning in support of more strategic approaches to asset lifecycle management, requirements management functions must also handle a complex of asset information requirements. High levels of integration in complex project environments present significant challenges for requirements management. Using literature and interview surveys, challenges to requirements management practices are investigated. Findings highlight deficiencies in enterprise-wide requirements management methods and tools, with challenges compounded by deficiencies in consistent requirements modelling, common data models, and interoperable toolchains to support continuous, integrated model-based requirements management workflows. Findings identify opportunities to integrate systems and digital engineering functions through alignment of data and processes, and increase systems engineering expertise to improve requirements traceability and change management across system review activities.

Keywords: requirements management; systems engineering; digital engineering; asset information requirements; challenges; complex rail transport systems; cyber-physical systems.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPLM.2023.135336

International Journal of Product Lifecycle Management, 2023 Vol.15 No.2, pp.139 - 177

Received: 06 Aug 2022
Received in revised form: 05 Jun 2023
Accepted: 22 Jun 2023
Published online: 05 Dec 2023 *

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