Traceability Standards

Enforcement

Execution mode: Reference library; load standards on-demand for traceability tasks.

Prohibited actions:

• Do not create unidirectional links; all traceability must be bidirectional
• Do not duplicate specification content in code comments; use cross-references
• Do not skip the quality verification step after applying traceability standards
• Do not load all standards at once; load progressively based on current task

Constraints:

• Each piece of information must have one authoritative location (single source of truth)
• All specifications must link to implementation code and vice versa
• Documentation must evolve through lifecycle phases (pre-implementation, during, post)
• Link accuracy must be verified whenever referenced files change
• For document markup syntax (link format, cross-references), see pm-documents:ref-asciidoc

Standards for connecting specification documents with implementation code, establishing bidirectional traceability, and maintaining documentation throughout the implementation lifecycle.

Scope Boundary

This skill covers linking between documents and code: bidirectional navigation, API documentation references, test coverage documentation, and link maintenance. For creating and maintaining document content (structure, SMART principles, ID schemes, lifecycle management), see pm-requirements:requirements-authoring. For what belongs in specifications vs. API documentation, see standards/information-distribution.md.

Core Principles

Holistic System View

Effective documentation provides a complete view at multiple levels:

• Requirements level: What the system must accomplish
• Specification level: How the system is designed
• Implementation level: How the code actually works

Proper linkage ensures seamless navigation between these levels.

Single Source of Truth

Each piece of information should have one authoritative location:

• Specifications: Architectural decisions, standards, constraints
• Implementation code: Detailed behavior, algorithms, edge cases
• API documentation: Usage guidance, API contracts, implementation notes

Documentation Lifecycle

Documentation evolves through implementation phases (PLANNED → IN PROGRESS → IMPLEMENTED). For the complete lifecycle model, see pm-requirements:requirements-authoring → standards/documentation-lifecycle-management.md. This skill provides the traceability-focused subset in the "Documentation Update Workflow by Phase" section below.

Workflow

Step 1: Load Applicable Traceability Standards

CRITICAL: Load traceability standards based on task context.

1. Always load information distribution standards:

``text Read: standards/information-distribution.md `` Defines what belongs in specifications vs API documentation.

1. Load standards based on task context:

- If linking from specifications to code: ``text Read: standards/specification-to-code-linking.md ``

- If linking from code to specifications (API documentation): ``text Read: standards/code-to-specification-linking.md ``

- If updating documentation through implementation phases, use the phase guidance below.

- If documenting test coverage and validation: ``text Read: standards/verification-and-validation-linking.md ``

- If maintaining existing traceability links: ``text Read: standards/cross-reference-maintenance.md ``

- If verifying traceability quality: ``text Read: standards/quality-standards.md ``

Step 2: Apply Traceability Standards

Apply the loaded standards to your specific task:

For New Implementation:

1. Add API documentation specification references using code-to-specification-linking templates
2. Update specification with implementation links using specification-to-code-linking templates
3. Follow the Documentation Update Workflow by Phase section below

For Documentation Updates:

1. Determine current lifecycle phase (PLANNED/IN PROGRESS/IMPLEMENTED)
2. Apply appropriate updates from the Documentation Update Workflow by Phase section below
3. Ensure information distribution standards are followed

For Test Documentation:

1. Add specification references to test classes
2. Update specification Verification sections
3. Document coverage using verification-and-validation-linking standards

For Maintenance:

1. Follow cross-reference-maintenance workflows
2. Verify quality using quality-standards checklists
3. Update links as needed

Step 3: Verify Quality

Use quality-standards checklists to verify:

• All specifications link to implementation
• All code links to specifications
• All tests reference specifications
• Links are accurate and current
• Navigation is bidirectional
• Status indicators are correct

Documentation Update Workflow by Phase

Traceability-specific guidance for updating documentation through implementation lifecycle phases. For the complete lifecycle model (PLANNED → IN PROGRESS → IMPLEMENTED → DEPRECATED), see pm-requirements:requirements-authoring → standards/documentation-lifecycle-management.md.

Pre-Implementation (PLANNED)

• Write comprehensive specification with design and expected API
• No implementation links yet — spec defines "what" and "how"

During Implementation (IN PROGRESS)

• Add implementation links as source files are created
• Add API documentation (JavaDoc, docstrings, JSDoc) with specification references (see code-to-specification-linking.md)
• Document implementation decisions and library choices
• Update status indicator

Post-Implementation (IMPLEMENTED)

• Complete all traceability links (spec → code → tests)
• Add test references in Verification section
• Remove redundant code examples that duplicate implementation
• Keep architectural guidance and design rationale
• Refer readers to API documentation for detailed behavior

Separation of Concerns

Use cross-references instead of duplicating information across these layers. Update links immediately when source files are created.

Related Standards

Related Skills in Bundle

• pm-requirements:requirements-authoring - Standards for creating requirements and specifications that form the traceability foundation
• pm-requirements:setup - Standards for setting up documentation structure in new projects
• pm-requirements:planning - Standards for planning documents that track implementation tasks

External Standards

• pm-dev-java:javadoc - JavaDoc specification references (Java projects)
• pm-dev-frontend:javascript - JSDoc specification references (JavaScript projects)
• pm-documents:ref-asciidoc - AsciiDoc formatting for specification documents