PLP: an automated tool for the processing of requirements

The proper specification of the functional requirements for a real-time system is now recognized as a major consideration in the system develooment cycle. The functional reouirements document is used by the customer, the requirements writer, management, the software designer, ana the system test team. GTE Laboratories is developinq a Requirements Language Processor (PLP) which checks functional requirements for real-time systems for the presence of ambiguity, redundancy, and inconsistency. This paper examines the needs of the users of functional requirements documents, describes the effects that these needs have on the design of the RLD, and describes the implementation of the PLP system.