CAPM Business Analysis Frameworks Practice Question
A business analyst is creating a requirements traceability matrix (RTM) for a project. Which of the following is the primary purpose of an RTM?
⚠ Common exam trap
PMI often tests the misconception that the RTM is used for resource assignment or cost tracking, leading candidates to confuse it with other project documents like the WBS or cost management plan.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
To track requirements from identification through delivery and testing.
The primary purpose of a Requirements Traceability Matrix (RTM) is to link each requirement from its origin through the entire project lifecycle, including design, development, testing, and delivery. Option C correctly identifies this end-to-end traceability function, which ensures that every requirement is accounted for and validated against test cases and deliverables.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
To document the final version of requirements after project closure.
Why it's wrong here
An RTM is built and maintained throughout the project lifecycle to link requirements to design, build and test artefacts; documenting a frozen final set is a closure or archival activity. It is tempting because the RTM does hold requirement text, yet its value lies in live bidirectional traceability, not post-closure records.
- ✗
To assign requirements to specific team members.
Why it's wrong here
An RTM maps requirements to their sources, deliverables and test cases to verify coverage; assigning work to named individuals is resourcing, handled in a responsibility assignment matrix such as RACI. It is tempting because the matrix's rows do list owners, but ownership tracking is a secondary by-product, not the primary purpose.
- ✓
To track requirements from identification through delivery and testing.
Why this is correct
An RTM provides bidirectional linkage, mapping each requirement to its source, design, build and test artefacts. This satisfies the stem's need to track requirements from identification through delivery and testing, exposing gaps, gold-plating and unverified scope across the project lifecycle.
- ✗
To estimate the cost of each requirement.
Why it's wrong here
An RTM traces requirements to sources, deliverables and verification evidence; costing each requirement is performed during estimating, using techniques such as analogous or parametric estimating. It is tempting because the matrix lists every requirement, so costs could be appended, but cost estimation is not its purpose.
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