How to use the Requirement Traceability Matrix Template
- 1. List requirementsOne per line: ID, description and priority.
- 2. Add test cases and defectsLink each test to one or more requirement IDs, with its status; add defects against tests.
- 3. Build the matrixSee coverage and each requirement's status, then download the Excel RTM.
What an RTM shows
A requirement traceability matrix maps each requirement to the test cases that check it. Reviewers and auditors use it to answer two questions: is every requirement tested, and did those tests pass? Here a requirement is Passed only when every linked test passed, Failed if any linked test failed, Blocked or In progress while tests are blocked or not run, and Not covered when no test links to it. Open defects are carried across from the tests they were raised against. The tool also flags test cases that refer to unknown requirements, and tests linked to nothing. Everything runs in your browser; nothing you enter is uploaded.
The Excel file has three sheets: the matrix (requirements down, test cases across, with ✓, ✗, B and ○ marks), the test case list, and a summary with coverage.
Worked example
The sample has 5 requirements for a student portal, 7 test cases and 2 open defects. Four requirements have tests, so coverage is 80.0%, and 2 are fully passed (login and the course list). Password reset is Failed, because TC-03 failed and BUG-11 is open. The receipt PDF is Blocked, and the Excel export (REQ-05) is Not covered, which is the gap to fix before release.
Tips
- Write requirements so each one can be tested on its own; split "login and logout" into two.
- Keep IDs stable; renaming REQ-03 breaks every link to it.
- Update the matrix after every test cycle, not just at the end.
Frequently asked questions
Is this a forward or backward RTM?
Both: rows go from requirements to tests (forward) and the test sheet goes from tests back to requirements (backward).
Can I paste from Excel?
Yes. Copy rows with columns separated by | or edit the text; one requirement or test per line.
Is the RTM generator free?
Yes. You can open the RTM generator and fill in everything without signing up. When you build the matrix for the first time, we ask once for your name and WhatsApp number; after that it, and every other Uncodemy tool, opens straight away.