Groupware architecture for requirements processes in new product development

An organization's ability to create successful products depends on how extensively it collects, analyzes and utilizes requirements information in its product development. Recent advances in groupware technologies allow such information to be shared more effectively in distributed organizations; thus, these technologies hold considerable potential as means of shortening the cycle time and improving the quality of requirements processes. This paper addresses issues in the design and implementation of groupware-supported requirements processes by drawing on experiences from large-scale industrial development projects within Nokia. The primary contribution of the paper is the conceptual design of a generic, groupware-based requirements management system (RMS) which is postulated to help product development organizations improve their requirements processes.