Introduction to ETRM

The Engineering Toolbox Requirements Manager (ETRM) is a tool for complete requirements engineering in the browser. It follows the working methods of large requirements management systems such as IBM DOORS Next and makes them accessible without installation, training or licence hurdles.

What ETRM offers

• Configurable data model: Each project defines its own artifact types (e.g. stakeholder requirement, system requirement, test case), attributes with required fields and allowed values, and link types. A profile based on ISO/IEC/IEEE 29148 is included as a template.
• Modules as documents: Requirements are kept in modules with chapters and calculated numbering. The same artifact can appear in several modules; a change applies everywhere.
• Traceability: typed links (“is derived from”, “verifies” …) with suspect links after changes, traceability matrix, coverage and impact analysis.
• Review and approval: reviews with a decision per artifact and reviewer, approval of baselines with name and function, change requests with an impact list.
• Managing states: immutable baselines, comparison of two states, complete history per artifact.
• Quality: wording check with hints on vague terms or open points, sentence templates based on EARS, glossary with term highlighting, metrics.
• Data exchange: ReqIF import with reconciliation of repeated deliveries, ReqIF, Excel, CSV and Word export, JSON backup, REST API.

The fastest way to get started

1. Register and found a group or join a group (Collaboration in groups).
2. Take a look at the sample project battery management system. It contains all features with realistic content.
3. Create your first project (Creating and managing projects): empty, from a ReqIF file or from a backup.
4. Follow the requirements engineering process, which also structures this help.

What is deliberately not included

ETRM does without features whose effort rarely pays off in small and medium-sized teams: no streams, change sets or branches (baselines and change requests cover the need), no diagram or storyboard editors and no OSLC connection (a REST API instead).

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Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Is ETRM free of charge? Yes, with the basic membership. Subscriptions remove advertising; the features are the same (Subscriptions).

Who is ETRM made for? For teams that have to specify and demonstrate requirements across several levels, for example in automotive, medical technology, rail or mechanical engineering, and just as much for smaller projects with a single requirements specification.

Where is my data stored? On servers in Germany, with encrypted transfer. Every project can be exported completely at any time (Data exchange).