Call for Papers

The objective of the RET workshop is to explore the interaction of Requirements Engineering (RE) and Testing, in research and industry, and the challenges that result from this interaction. While much research has been conducted in the respective fields of requirements engineering and testing, much more can be done to understand the connection between RE and testing activities.

RET provides a forum for exchanging ideas and best practices for aligning RE and testing, and helps foster industry-academia collaboration on this topic. Accordingly, we aim to invite an industry keynote. The workshop encourages participant interaction through panel discussions of presented papers, and by an interactive session during which the participants, basing on the topics worked out in RET'14 together define a roadmap for research in the area of RET.

Submissions should either discuss challenges involved in RET alignment, or propose approaches on how to best align RET. This can include processes, practices, artifacts, methods, techniques, tools and softer aspects like the communication between roles in the development lifecycle. Submissions can vary from short position papers outlining observed problems, to full technical papers employing case studies, experiments, experience reports, etc. We particularly encourage submissions from industrial practitioners or those working with industrial partners.

Topics of Interest

RET'15 solicits papers on the connections between Requirements Engineering (RE) and Testing. Papers are expected to discuss both RE and Testing aspects, as well as the interaction between them. The list of suggested topics is based on the mapping exercise conducted during RET'14:

• Processes and practices for supporting RET alignment
• Requirements-based testing processes and techniques, e.g. optimizing testing according to requirements prioritization
• Testability of requirements, impact of requirements quality to test quality
• Model-based testing, test-driven and behavior-driven development
• Traceability between requirements and tests, also including requirements evolution and regression testing
• Metrics for assessing and monitoring RET alignment
• Context-specific RET alignment, e.g. for distributed and OSS development, continuous deployment, safety-critical systems
• RET at different phases of the development lifecycle
• Scalability of RET alignment, RET for bit data
• RET alignment for non-functional and quality requirements
• Organizational aspects of RET alignment, including training and education
• Automation techniques to support RET (e.g. based on machine learning, information retrieval)
• Collaboration and communication between requirements engineers and testers
• "Good enough" RET alignment, balancing effort and return of investment
• Empirical research on RET alignment
• Tools supporting RET alignment, e.g. management, visualization, monitoring

Paper Formatting

We invite submission of papers of the following types:

• Technical Papers (max 7 pages): Full papers presenting research results or industrial practices related to the coordination of Requirements Engineering and Testing.
• Position papers (2 to 4 pages): Short papers introducing challenges, visions, positions or preliminary results within the scope of the workshop. Experience reports and papers on open challenges in industry are especially welcome.

Technical papers will be evaluated with respect to the research contribution of the work, with preference being given to work that significantly relates requirements engineering and testing. Position papers are short papers that present early results and outline challenges and positions related to the relationship between RE and testing, and will be evaluated according to their ability to generate discussion and suggest interesting areas for future research. Work related to industrial problems or motivated from an industrial context is especially welcome.

Submission and Proceedings

Authors should submit a PDF version of their paper through the RET'15 paper submission site. All papers will undergo a rigorous review by at least three members of the program committee. Accepted papers will be published in the online ICSE workshop proceedings (IEEE).