ireb requirements engineering

IREB is an independent, globally active organization that has created a standard for in-depth training in the field of requirements engineering with its Certified Professional for Requirements Engineering (CPRE) program. As a non-profit organization, the IREB Board is dedicated to the continuous development and quality assurance of methods, concepts and best practices to support requirements engineers in their daily work. Continuously expanding IREB's reach and influence by globally recognizing their CPRE certification is another important aspect of their work.

If you decide to attend an IREB training or course, you will be introduced step by step to the content and methods that really count in practice. This includes basic knowledge about different types of requirements – functional requirements, quality requirements and constraints - as well as a look at the necessary processes and work structures.

Requirements are first and foremost needs that a stakeholder has. They form the basis for your work as a requirements engineer. The written documentation of these requirements in the form of a requirements specification in turn serves as a contractual basis and as a guideline for the entire project.

Due to its strong practical relevance and clear focus on success in projects, the IREB has become the quasi-standard for requirements engineering. Companies are increasingly relying on certified requirements engineers to ensure that their requirements are elicited professionally and methodically. This is precisely why IREB certification makes a decisive contribution to your further training and professional expertise if you want to become active in this field or are already active.

The abbreviation IREB stands for “International Requirements Engineering Board”. This board is made up of industry experts, consultants, scientists and technical experts from various countries. Their common goal is to professionalize and promote the requirements engineering profession worldwide. For this purpose, there is the IREB certification program, which gives you a reliable orientation for your career with the Certified Professional for Requirements Engineering(CPRE) title.

IREB has made a name for itself primarily through the CPRE standard (Certified Professional for Requirements Engineering) and is now recognized throughout the industry. When you talk about IREB in requirements engineering, you usually mean the methods, techniques and processes that are developed via IREB and taught in training courses and examinations. Over 38,000 people in Germany have acquired the CPRE certificate, which underlines the importance and prevalence of this certification in the German market but also increasingly worldwide.

In today's software development, requirements are the central point for a successful project. Imagine a team developing software without knowing in advance exactly what the product is supposed to do. There is a high risk of bypassing the wishes of the stakeholders and wasting valuable resources. This is precisely why requirements engineering has established itself as a standard discipline in system development and business analysis.

Requirements engineers are responsible for documenting requirements clearly and comprehensibly, defining the scope of a project and always building a bridge between technology and business. Anyone who has ever worked on an IT project knows how important it is for everyone involved to speak the same language. Requirements engineering closes this communication gap by using standardized methods – such as a sentence template for user stories, UML activity diagrams or use cases.

The results of the requirements engineers become visible in work products such as requirements documents, prototypes or specifications. This means that the entire team knows what is important. At the same time, professional requirements engineering is essential for quality assurance – the clearer and more complete the requirements are defined, the easier it is to carry out tests and acceptances.

With its certification program, the IREB ensures uniform qualification and raises awareness of the importance of standards in requirements engineering. Companies appreciate this because they can be sure that certified specialists have the necessary know-how to manage complex IT projects professionally. Requirements engineering training courses are also valuable for software architects, who play a crucial role in the development process.

If you are already involved in requirements engineering or business analysis, you may be wondering why you should go one step further and get certified. After all, there are numerous certifications available on the market – from IREB to PMI-PBA or even CBAP for business analysts.

The answer is very simple: IREB certification gives you a clear advantage in practice because it is specifically geared towards requirements engineering, is regularly updated and is so highly regarded that many companies deliberately require or promote it. In addition, you must achieve a defined number of credit points in the competence areas in order to qualify for higher examination levels.

At a time when the requirements for software projects are changing rapidly, it is important to stay up to date. Your IREB certification confirms that you have the technical skills and methodological knowledge to properly identify and manage requirements. This opens up new opportunities for you:

✅ Improved job prospects: companies are urgently looking for specialists who can manage projects efficiently. With the CPRE title, you prove that you can deliver quality and professionalism in requirements engineering.

✅ Higher salary prospects: Certifications such as IREB are often associated with higher salary levels because your expertise translates into clearly measurable skills.

✅ Internationally recognized qualification: Since IREB is a globally active non-profit organization and the IREB Certified Professional title is recognized globally, you also have an advantage in international projects or with foreign employers.

✅ Network & contacts: Training courses and certifications bring you into contact with like-minded people, experts and potential employers. This allows you to expand your professional network and benefit from mutual exchange.

Particularly in today's day-to-day project work, it is becoming increasingly important that you not only understand requirements superficially, but can also embed them in the context of the entire company and its products. An IREB certification is a “door opener” that signals your willingness to systematically deal with processes and best practices.

From a business perspective, it is difficult to successfully develop software or systems without a structured requirements analysis. Requirements engineering acts as a safety net here to avoid costly mistakes and misunderstandings. Companies are therefore increasingly relying on certified requirements engineers because they:

➡️ make projects more efficient: Certified professionals can quickly elicit, define and prioritize requirements, which speeds up development.

➡️ Provide consistent documentation: Whether requirements specifications, use cases or other work products – a standardized, professional approach ensures transparency and traceability.

➡️ Ensure quality criteria: With sound requirements engineering, you increase the quality of the end products because misunderstandings are detected at an early stage.

➡️ Minimize risks: Projects are more likely to stay on time and on budget if everyone involved knows what is required and how to control changes.

Another aspect is that more and more industries are being affected by digitization. Not only in traditional software development, but also in areas such as the automotive industry, medical technology or finance, the professional recording and management of requirements is seen as indispensable. Here, the IREB certificate helps to establish a common language and set standards so that miscommunication is minimized.

You may have heard of other certifications related to business analysis or software quality, such as the ISTQB (International Software Testing Qualifications Board) or PMI-PBA (Project Management Institute - Professional in Business Analysis). These programs each have their own focus:

• ISTQB focuses on software testing and quality assurance.
• PMI-PBA covers the broad field of business analysis, including project management aspects.
• IREB, on the other hand, focuses specifically on requirements engineering and therefore provides a very specific methodological framework.

This does not mean that these certifications are mutually exclusive. Many professionals in the IT industry, for example, combine ISTQB and IREB to underpin their skills in testing and requirements management. Companies welcome this because it proves that you can work across departments.
If, on the other hand, you want to specialize fully in the systematic elicitation, documentation and management of requirements, the IREB remains the first choice. With the IREB certifications (from Foundation Level to Expert Level), you will find a clear roadmap that will lead you in several steps to true expertise in requirements engineering. The course content is practice-oriented and guarantees that you will benefit directly from your acquired know-how in everyday project work.
To summarize: An IREB certification is worthwhile because it increases your career opportunities, offers companies security and provides you with further qualifications in a highly relevant area. Compared to more general business analyst or quality assurance certificates, you will receive very focused training that will make you a sought-after requirements engineer.

The IREB offers you a certification model that is divided into different levels. This program is called Certified Professional for Requirements Engineering (CPRE) and follows a step-by-step logic that builds on each other. Depending on your level of knowledge and professional experience, you can join the program and progress to the Expert level. The three main levels are

1. Foundation Level - your entry (also referred to as Level 1)
2. Advanced Level - Specialization (also referred to as Level 2: IREB Practitioner and Level 3: IREB Specialist)
3. Expert Level - for experienced professionals (also referred to as Level 4)

The CPRE-FL (Certified Professional for Requirements Engineering – Foundation Level) is aimed at anyone who is new to requirements engineering or has already gained initial experience but would like to expand it in a well-founded way. It teaches you:

Basics: You will learn the most important terms, concepts and methods. This also includes basic knowledge of business analysis, system development and software development to understand the overarching context.
Methods and techniques: How do you elicit stakeholder requirements? How do you document them? What quality criteria do you need to consider? These questions are in the foreground.
Requirements management: You will learn what configuration, requirements specification and traceability are all about. The topics of baseline and Kano model also show you practical approaches to structuring requirements.
CPRE Foundation Level training gives you a solid overview of how requirements engineering processes work, how to validate requirements, and how to work with prototypes and UML activity diagrams. You will become familiar with the different types of requirements, such as functional requirements, quality requirements, and constraints.
After successfully passing the exam, you can call yourself an IREB Certified Professional for Requirements Engineering – Foundation Level. This Foundation Level certification is an important proof of your newly acquired knowledge in requirements analysis and the application of best practices. Many companies consider the Foundation Level to be the minimum standard for being deployed in relevant projects.

If you have already completed the Foundation Level or have sufficient professional experience in requirements engineering, you can move on to the Advanced Level. This is more about specializing and deepening individual subject areas. The IREB offers various modules at Advanced Level, for example

• Requirements Elicitation : Here, the methods of requirements elicitation (elicitation techniques) and conflict resolution options learned at Foundation Level are trained in greater depth.
• Requirements Management: As requirements for IT systems can also change during the course of the project, it is important to ensure that they are always up to date after the requirements elicitation. In the IREB CPRE Advanced Level Requirements Management module, you will learn how to carry out the change process in a systematic and controlled manner so that requirements remain consistent and no errors occur. In particular, this includes methods for evaluating and prioritizing requirements and methods for changing and tracing requirements. 
• Requirements Modeling: In this module, you will deepen your ability to define requirements using suitable modeling languages and diagrams.
• RE@Agile: A module that deals intensively with the interaction of requirements engineering and agile methods.

The Advanced Level also focuses more on project practice and complex application scenarios. You will learn how to manage requirements in large projects or in a distributed team constellation, how to make optimum use of tool support (tooling) and how to manage requirements in different phases of a life cycle.
At the Advanced Level, you will develop into a real expert in requirements engineering. Here you can already pursue a specialization that best suits your working environment or career goals. Companies particularly value this qualification when they are looking for specialists who not only have basic knowledge, but also expertise in specific areas.
In addition to the content subdivision at Advanced Level, the IREB distinguishes between two sub-certifications in the respective area:

• Level 2: IREB Practitioner: Here you deepen your knowledge from the Foundation Level (Level 1) and expand your skills in your chosen area of requirements engineering (see Elicitation, Management, Modeling or RE@Agile above).
• Level 3: Specialist: Here you should apply the skills you have learned in practice and demonstrate your abilities more in terms of specific practical scenarios.

The Expert Level is the highest level of the IREB certification program and is aimed at experienced requirements engineers who want to scientifically substantiate their knowledge and apply it at the highest level. Here you can work as a manager, lecturer, coach or mentor or in research and develop or refine new methods, techniques and best practices in requirements engineering.
To reach the Expert level, you usually need extensive practical experience and demonstrate that you have already proven yourself in challenging projects. This level of the CPRE program often includes:
● Professional publications or project work: You demonstrate that you can contribute to the further development of requirements engineering.
● Mentoring and coaching: Experts share their knowledge by advising teams, leading classroom training or facilitating virtual classrooms.
● Quality assurance at the highest level: You evaluate standards and methods in companies in order to initiate continuous improvements.
With the IREB CPRE Advanced Level or even the Expert Level, you position yourself as a leader in the field of requirements engineering. This qualification is particularly highly regarded in companies that develop complex systems and rely on smooth processes. Your certificate is also proof that you have dealt intensively with the quality criteria of requirements, the skills and the techniques that are necessary for the successful implementation of projects.
In most cases, the ideal learning journey looks like this: You start with the Foundation Level as a solid base. When you have more routine, you move on to the Advanced Level, where you specialize. Initially at Level 2 as a Practicioner, in order to delve deeper into the RE methods. As you gain more experience, you can take the Specialist certificate (Level 3) and discuss your experiences in writing and develop mature concepts in response to the exam questions. And if you then want to delve even deeper into the subject matter and manage projects of the highest complexity, you can qualify for the Expert Level. The IREB thus covers the entire spectrum: from newcomers to highly specialized professionals.
Note: Depending on your professional situation, it may not make sense to go through all levels one after the other. The Advanced Level and the Expert Level require a certain amount of professional experience, which you can gain in various projects, for example. Thanks to this practical experience, you will understand the challenges of requirements engineering in depth and can apply what you have learned from the IREB training courses in the best possible way.

Before you register for an IREB certification, you will certainly want to know what you can expect in the exams. Basically, the IREB exams are based on the content of the syllabus and therefore the respective IREB training courses and require exactly the knowledge that you acquire there. Nevertheless, it is helpful to have a rough overview.

The exam content reflects the core areas of requirements engineering. You should therefore familiarize yourself with the following aspects:
● Types of requirements: These include functional requirements, quality requirements and constraints.
● Documentation and work products: For example, use cases, user stories, UML activity diagrams or phrase templates are addressed here.
● Requirements specification: How do you structure requirements? What is a baseline or configuration?
● Kano model and other methods for prioritizing and classifying requirements
● Processes and work structures in requirements engineering: Validation, versioning and conflict resolution are important keywords.
● Tool support: How do you use tools to manage requirements? Which best practices help?
For the Foundation Level, basic knowledge is required. At the Advanced Level, you can expect more detailed questions on special topics and case studies that test your skills in practical application. The Expert Level can also include scientific papers or project reports.
In addition to pure specialist knowledge, it is also important that you are able to view requirements from a holistic perspective. This means that requirements engineering does not end with the mere recording of requirements, but also includes strategic integration into the project, the company and the area of software development and continuous actualization.

The IREB exams are administered by independent certification bodies and can be taken either online (e.g. as a virtual classroom session) or in a face-to-face training course. This gives you the opportunity to choose the option that suits you best. Typically, the exam includes:

🔘 Multiple-choice questions: At Foundation Level, this is the only question type.

🔘Free-text questions: Starting at Advanced Level (Level 3 Specialist), you have to comment on a specific case in writing in text form. This is intended to test complex relationships.

🔘 Case studies: Case studies are used at Advanced Level in particular to ensure that you can apply methods in practice.

The duration of the exam varies depending on the level, but is usually between 75 and 90 minutes for the Foundation Level and can be longer for the Advanced modules. At Level 3 (IREB Specialist) and above, a free-text assignment must be completed and submitted as a term paper. The cost of the exam varies depending on the level and region. At Foundation Level, they are usually around 250 euros or more, while the Advanced Level exams can be somewhat more expensive and cost around 780 euros.

In any case, it is worth considering the costs as an investment in your further training. Precisely because companies place so much value on the IREB Certified Professional title, you usually have a good chance of quickly recouping the money invested through better projects, higher pay or faster career progression. At trendig in Berlin, for example, you can also complete the training as part of educational leave (also known as Bildungszeit), which means that your employer must release you from work for the days of the training while continuing to pay your salary, without you having to take leave.

If you need the qualification for your current employer, you can ask them whether they will cover the full costs of an IREB training course and subsequent examination for you, as your company will also benefit significantly from your qualification.

The decision to take the IREB certification has been made – now it's time to prepare for the exam. A good strategy is crucial so that you get the most out of your study time and feel confident when things get serious.

Whether you are aiming for the CPRE Foundation Level or the Advanced Level, a clear learning method will help you to understand and retain the material quickly. Here are a few tips:

1. Structure and plan: Create a learning plan. Divide the official IREB learning objectives into smaller learning units and build in buffer times.
2. Repetition: Use spaced repetition to reinforce important concepts and models, such as the Kano model or the sentence template.
3. Link to practice: Try to apply what you have learned in your current job, for example by re-documenting requirements or structuring your stakeholder meetings differently.
4. Study Groups: If possible, join forces with like-minded people. Through team discussions, you will deepen your understanding and gain different perspectives.

Requirements engineering in particular thrives on communication and practical examples. Therefore, try to combine theory and practice as closely as possible. If you are already working on a relevant project, use real requirements as learning objects.

You should use various sources for your preparation. These range from free materials to professional training and coaching.

Free resources

• Official syllabi (curricula) of the IREB.
• Professional articles and blog posts on requirements engineering and IREB.
• Online forums and communities where you can exchange ideas with other participants.
• YouTube channels with tutorials on the CPRE Foundation Level and further topics.

Paid resources

• Classroom training or virtual classroom courses that systematically convey the learning objectives and provide you with exercises and test exams.
• Official IREB textbooks or specialized literature on topics such as Requirements Modeling or RE@Agile.
• Advice and coaching from experienced requirements engineers who can prepare you specifically for your exam.

Free offers are great to give you an initial overview. However, if you want to ensure that you are fully prepared for the exam content, it is often worth investing in an IREB training course. Here you will be trained by professionals, can ask questions and often receive comprehensive materials.

Both classroom training and online training have their advantages and disadvantages:

Classroom training

Advantages

✅ Direct contact with trainers and participants

✅ Group discussions on professional challenges outside of the training content

✅ Questions can be answered directly

✅ Practical exercises in groups

✅ More intensive due to on-site presence, as there are fewer distractions

Disadvantages

❌ Usually more expensive

❌ Associated with travel costs

❌ Additional time required
 

Online training

Advantages

✅ Independent of time and location

✅ Often flexible time management

✅ Usually more cost-effective

✅ No additional travel costs

Disadvantages

❌ Little to no personal exchange

❌ Possibility of technical difficulties

In the end, your decision often depends on your learning style and your circumstances. If you value personal interaction, then choose face-to-face training. If, on the other hand, you need to combine work, family and further education, an online course may be more convenient.

No matter which option you choose: Make sure that the training course is IREB-recognized. This will ensure that the content is aligned with the Certified Professional for Requirements Engineering standard and that you are optimally prepared for your exam.

IREB certification opens the door to the exciting world of requirements engineering. Thanks to the clearly structured CPRE roadmap and the practical content of the IREB training courses, you will develop a deep understanding of how to identify (elicit), document and manage requirements in a business context. Whether you opt for the Foundation Level as a solid basis or go all the way to the Expert Level, you will lay a strong foundation for your professional future.

At a time when technologies and customer requirements are changing rapidly, requirements engineering is the backbone of every successful project. An IREB certification makes you a sought-after professional who can reliably elicit, prioritize and document requirements. It will also give you a competitive edge on the job market.

If you are now wondering how you can get started: Use our IREB training courses and workshops at trendig to familiarize yourself with the subject matter step by step. We accompany you from the first basics to the successful exam. With practical examples, experienced trainers and a motivated learning group, you will get the most out of your learning time.

Take the first step today and secure your place on one of our training courses - we look forward to accompanying you on your way to becoming an IREB Certified Professional for Requirements Engineering!