What does the stability attribute of a requirement indicate?

The stability attribute of a requirement primarily reflects its maturity over time, capturing how well-defined and understood the requirement is. A mature requirement has typically gone through sufficient scrutiny, stakeholder discussions, and revisions, indicating that it is less likely to change significantly in the future. In practice, a stable requirement suggests that it has been solidified and agreed upon by the involved parties, thus providing a reliable foundation for development efforts. This stability is vital as it helps manage project risks and resource allocation, reducing the likelihood of late changes that could derail the development process.

In contrast, the other attributes mentioned have different significance. The author of the requirement pertains to who created or is responsible for it, but does not reflect on its stability. The priority indicates the importance or urgency of the requirement but does not measure how much it might change. Similarly, while the state in the development lifecycle indicates the current phase of the requirement (such as proposed, approved, implemented, etc.), it does not speak directly to the maturity or stability of the requirement itself.