Requirements management tools are essential for systematically recording, managing and tracking requirements in product development.

There are numerous solutions available on the market that have been developed for large companies and complex projects. The leading providers include IBM DOORS Next Generation, Jama Connect, Polarion, Code Beamer and Visure. These tools offer extensive functions, but can pose challenges, especially for medium-sized companies.

This article highlights the most important evaluation criteria of the tools mentioned and then presents ReqSuite® RM before — a solution that is tailored to the specific requirements of SMEs.

IBM DOORS Next Generation

Functions: IBM DOORS Next Generation (DNG) offers a comprehensive, web-based requirements management solution with strong traceability and robust change management that covers the entire life cycle of requirements. It is particularly designed for heavily regulated industries and offers a suitable solution here.

Integration: DNG integrates well with the IBM Jazz ecosystem and also supports interfaces with other tools that use the Open Services for Lifecycle Collaboration (OSLC) framework. These integration options are particularly beneficial for larger companies that use multiple systems.

Usability: Compared to its predecessor, DNG is designed to be more user-friendly, but the learning curve remains high, especially for less tech-savvy users. In order to be able to use all functions efficiently, a certain training period is required.

Customizability: DNG is flexibly adaptable and supports large, complex projects through scripting and various configuration options. However, this adaptability requires a tech-savvy user base to utilize the full potential of the tool.

Prices: DNG is one of the high-priced tools and can be costly for medium-sized companies due to licensing and implementation costs.

Manufacturer support: IBM provides support globally, but this can sometimes cause delays. Medium-sized companies in Europe could find global, standardized support inflexible, even if there are local partners who offer specific support and improve access to local knowledge.

Strengths: DNG offers strong integration with the IBM Jazz ecosystem and is particularly suitable for complex, regulated industries. The tool provides comprehensive traceability and change capabilities.

Weaknesses: Despite improvements in usability, the tool remains complex, especially for smaller, less specialized teams. In addition, implementation costs for medium-sized companies are often high.

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Jama Connect

Functions: Jama Connect offers a flexible and modern platform designed specifically for large, distributed teams. It has strong collaboration and change tracking features that support the entire development process.

Integration: Jama Connect offers a wide range of integration options, including interfaces to JIRA, Git, and various test management solutions. These integrations make the tool particularly suitable for software development projects.

Usability: The Jama Connect user interface is modern and relatively easy to use. However, configuring the tool can be complex and demanding depending on project requirements.

Customizability: Jama Connect is customizable, but deeper, custom workflows are limited, which can be a hurdle for specialized teams.

Prices: Jama Connect is a more expensive tool, particularly for larger teams and in heavily regulated industries.

Manufacturer support: Jama offers good support with regular updates, but support is primarily aimed at the North American market. European companies occasionally report longer response times, depending on the time difference.

Strengths: The tool has strong collaboration features and a user-friendly interface, making it particularly suitable for large, distributed teams.

Weaknesses: Jama Connect can look oversized for smaller projects and offers limited customization options for in-depth workflows.

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Polarion

Functions:

Polarion offers an integrated solution that combines requirements, change and test management. It is particularly common in highly regulated industries such as the automotive and electronics industries.

Integration: The tool is heavily integrated into the Siemens product range, but external tools can also be connected, making Polarion a flexible choice for companies that already use Siemens products.

Usability: The wide range of functions can be complicated and overwhelming for beginners. However, the platform-independent, web-based use of the tool is rated positively.

Customizability: Polarion is highly customizable, but it often requires technical expertise, which can make it difficult for smaller companies to implement and use.

Prices: Polarion is one of the high-priced tools, which is due in particular to deep integration and comprehensive functionality.

Manufacturer support: Siemens offers fast and comprehensive support in Europe, in particular through regional contacts. Medium-sized companies benefit from the proximity to European branches here.

Strengths: Polarion offers full integration of requirements, change and test management in one platform.

Weaknesses: The tool has a steep learning curve and is complex to implement for companies without Siemens infrastructure.

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Codebeamer

Functions: Codebeamer offers comprehensive ALM features that cover the entire life cycle of software projects. The tool is particularly aimed at heavily regulated industries such as medical technology and the automotive industry.

Integration: The tool offers good integration options with DevOps tools and version control systems, which makes it particularly attractive for software development projects.

Usability: The variety of features can quickly overwhelm smaller teams, as the tool is described as complex. However, it is well-structured for companies that manage the entire ALM cycle.

Customizability: Codebeamer is highly customizable and can flexibly represent industry-specific requirements in regulated industries. This flexibility is supported by extensive configuration options.

Prices: The tool is in the upper price segment, especially when the ALM functions are fully used.

Manufacturer support: Codebeamer offers solid support in Europe, but there may occasionally be delays when implementing new features. Regional partners provide specific support for European companies.

Strengths: The tool features strong DevOps integration and comprehensive ALM functionality.

Weaknesses: Codebeamer is often too complex and functionally overloaded for medium-sized companies that do not need a comprehensive ALM approach.

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Visure

Functions: Visure offers specialized requirements management functions with a strong focus on traceability and compliance, making it particularly suitable for safety-critical industries such as aviation or rail.

Integration: Visure is easy to integrate into existing systems and offers industry-specific interfaces, especially in heavily regulated environments.

Usability: The usability of the tool is good, particularly in terms of traceability. However, initial setup can be complex.

Customizability: The tool is very flexibly adaptable to the needs of companies in heavily regulated industries, but the adjustment process can be time-consuming.

Prices: Visure is also in the upper price segment, particularly for companies with high compliance requirements.

Manufacturer support: Visure provides solid, industry-focused support, but delays can occasionally occur due to specialization. European companies benefit from local support through partnerships in the region.

Strengths: Visure offers very strong traceability and compliance features.

Weaknesses: For less regulated projects, the tool can often appear oversized and requires a high level of implementation effort.

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ReqSuite® RM

Functions: ReqSuite® RM is a full-fledged, modern requirements management tool that can functionally keep up with major competitors. It covers all essential functions and is clearly and intuitively designed, which makes it particularly suitable for medium-sized companies.

Integration: ReqSuite® RM offers solid integration options with common tools that meet the typical requirements of medium-sized companies. However, the scope of integrations is a bit more limited compared to larger tools.

Usability: ReqSuite® RM is characterized by a particularly user-friendly interface and easy operation. The tool is quickly ready to use without much training, making implementation easier.

Customizability: The tool offers high flexibility and is easy and fast to adapt to industry-specific and regulatory requirements due to visual editors.

Prices: ReqSuite® RM offers excellent value for money and is less expensive than most competitors, making it particularly attractive for medium-sized companies.

Manufacturer support: For European customers, ReqSuite® RM is supported directly by the manufacturer in Germany, which is a great advantage especially for companies in Central Europe. Response times are short and support is offered in English or German. For North American customers, there is local partner in Canada.

Strengths: ReqSuite® RM impresses with its ease of use and quick implementation, making it particularly suitable for medium-sized companies.

Weaknesses: For heavily regulated industries such as aviation or medical technology, some highly specialized functions could be missing.

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Conclusion

IBM DOORS Next Generation, Jama Connect, Polarion, Codebeamer, and Visure are powerful requirements management tools, but they are often oversized and costly for medium-sized companies.

ReqSuite® RM offers an attractive alternative here: The software is specifically designed for the requirements of medium-sized companies and offers a user-friendly, cost-effective solution with fast implementation times.

Thanks to local support in Europe and North America and extensive customization, ReqSuite® RM is particularly suitable for companies that need a state-of-the-art requirements management tool without unnecessary complexity.

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Disclaimer
This article was written by an independent third party on the basis of publicly available reviews on the Internet.