A method for implementing a project for a customer. Business requirements are developed for the project and are reviewed for acceptability in accordance with Business Requirements Review (BRR) exit criteria. System requirements are developed for the project and are reviewed for acceptability in accordance with system requirements review (SRR) exit criteria. Component requirements are developed for the project and are reviewed for acceptability in accordance with Preliminary Design Review (PDR) exit criteria. The business requirements are decomposed into the system requirements. The system requirements are decomposed into the component requirements. A Requirements Traceability and Verification Matrix (RTVM) is generated when the business requirements are established. The RTVM is updated throughout the life of the project. The RTVM includes verification information relating to the business requirements, the system requirements, and the component requirements. The RTVM depicts hierarchical relationships between the business requirements, the system requirements, and the component requirements.