Mastering Requirements Volatility: Strategies for Dynamic Environments and Multiple Stakeholders in Government Software Projects

Government software projects face challenges due to requirement volatility, dynamic environments, and multiple stakeholders. This study examines these challenges through a case study of the Brazilian National Textbook Program (PNLD) software platform. We analyze qualitative and quantitative data from user stories, support tickets, and stakeholder interviews to assess the impact of stakeholder centralization on requirement stability and development efficiency. Our findings indicate that reducing the number of stakeholders significantly decreases volatility and improves project alignment and communication. The data shows enhanced issue resolution efficiency, especially in backend operations and post-centralization. We also identify key themes related to communication, coordination, and agile methodologies that influence project outcomes. Based on these insights, we propose guidelines and best practices to optimize software development in dynamic, multi-stakeholder environments. These recommendations highlight the importance of streamlined stakeholder roles, robust communication channels, and balanced agile practices. This research offers practical strategies for improving the stability and efficiency of government software projects.