System Requirements Development Under a Dual‐Prime Contracting Model

Abstract

Developing requirements for a highly coupled complicated system is a challenging prospect for any project. The task gets more complicated if multiple organisations are needed to deliver the required solution. This paper relates the practical experience of ‘dual prime contracting’ where two organisations take the lead for the delivery of a system in response to the requirements of a common customer. The first part of the paper describes real motivations and contractual elements that underpin a dual prime contracting model. The technical body of the paper describes how a single requirement set is allocated and flowed to two prime contractors and introduces the common product breakdown structure. The allocation and flow down of non‐functional transversal requirements is given special treatment. The paper closes with useful insights for dual‐prime contractors, emphasising the value of early planning and preparation of joint collaboration strategies.