Matching Conceptual Graphs as an Aid to Requirements Re-use

The types of knowledge used during requirements acquisition are identified and a tool to aid in this process, ReqColl (Requirements Collector) is introduced. The tool uses conceptual graphs to represent domain concepts and attempts to recognise new concepts through the use of a matching facility. The overall approach to requirements capture is first described and the approach to matching illustrated informally. The detailed procedure for matching conceptual graphs is then given. Finally ReqColl is compared to similar work elsewhere and some future research directions indicated. 1. Introduction In making the transition from the informalities of the real world into the unambiguous, clearly-defined representations which are needed for computer manipulation, various types of knowledge must be used. Problems arise from the insufficient knowledge which a software designer commonly has about the application domain of the required software. Conversely the end user, or client, often has limit..