Atualização de um guia de gerenciamento de débitos técnicos em requisitos: boas práticas para identificação, mensuração e mitigação

Abstract

Requirements Engineering is essential for clearly defining the functionalities and constraints of a software system, directly influencing the quality and success of the final product. However, the lack of adequate specifications can lead to resource waste, rework, and failure to meet business goals. One of the main challenges in this context is Technical Debt in Software Requirements, which represents the gap between the ideal specification and the actual implementation of requirements. This type of debt can arise from short-term strategic decisions or unexpected changes during the project. Despite its relevance, activities related to the identification and measurement of Technical Debt in Software Requirements are still underexplored in both the literature and professional practice. Thus, this study aims to update the work of Melo et al. (2023) by developing a best practices guide to support the identification, measurement, and mitigation of Technical Debt in Software Requirements, aiming to bridge theory and practice and to provide support for professionals in the software industry. To achieve this, a Systematic Literature Mapping was conducted, analyzing 33 primary studies to map existing approaches, techniques, challenges, and strategies published between January 2021 and October 2025. Additionally, a survey was conducted with 44 software industry professionals to validate and complement the mapping findings with perceptions, practices, and difficulties faced in the organizational environment. As a result, it is found that Software Requirements Technical Debt is technical, organizational, and procedural in nature, being strongly influenced by pressure for deadlines and communication failures. Furthermore, a significant gap is evidenced between the state of the art and industrial practice, especially regarding measurement and the systematic use of automated approaches for managing Requirements Debt. The study also characterizes the emerging role of LLMs as tools for textual productivity, although with limitations in complex analytical tasks. Consequently, this research contributes to the management of Requirements Technical Debt by offering an evidence-based guide with practical guidelines for the identification, measurement, and mitigation of this type of debt in the context of real software development projects, reducing the distance between scientific theory and the operational reality of organizations.