Context-oriented Framework for Determining Requirements Change Documentation Approaches

Requirements change management is one of the core business analyst's activities, directly affecting change impact analysis, stakeholder communication, and the long-term system maintainability. While research on this topic examines in detail change processes, tracking methods, and change type classification, the problem of systematically documenting requirements changes remains underexplored. Existing research lacks a unified classification of change documentation approaches and context-sensitive recommendations for their selection, which limits their effectiveness in managing requirements. To address this gap, this study develops a context-oriented framework for selecting approaches to requirements change documentation. The framework integrates three components: a conceptual model based on the Baseline–Delta–Target State triad, a taxonomy of documentation approaches, and a context-driven selection mechanism grounded in empirical evidence. A systematic literature review was combined with an analysis of the survey of 324 practicing business analysts from Ukrainian and international companies. Statistically significant associations between selected project context attributes and documentation practices were identified using the Chi-square test of independence and Cramer's V, while additional dimensions were supported through evidence from the literature. The framework incorporates six documentation approaches: Full Target State, Delta-only, Target-driven Delta, Delta-driven Target, Parallel Use, and Hybrid Cycle. Four contextual dimensions emerge as key factors: project, environment, resources, and stakeholders. To support context-based selection of the change documentation approach, a matrix was developed that integrates the identified dependencies. The results position requirements change documentation as a context-sensitive knowledge management mechanism rather than a universal procedural standard.