Teaching Agile Requirements Engineering: A Stakeholder Simulation with Generative AI

Abstract

Abstract Context: The active involvement of users and customers in agile software development remains a persistent challenge in practice. For this reason, it is important that students in higher education become familiar with good practices in Agile Requirements Engineering during their studies. Objective: Our objective is to support students in learning how to perform requirements analysis by applying agile practices within a stakeholder simulation using AI Personas. At the same time, the approach fosters a critical understanding of the limitations and ethical considerations associated with the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) in this context. Method: In our courses, we employ a stakeholder simulation using GenAI, in which students conduct interviews with AI Personas through a provided meta-prompt. Based on the outcomes of these interviews, students apply agile practices (e.g., story mapping or impact mapping) to document requirements. The use of GenAI is subsequently reflected upon in a structured group discussion. Results: Through this approach, students gain practical experience by applying state-of-the art agile practices for requirements elicitation and documentation while simultaneously developing an understanding of the technical and ethical limitations associated with the use of generative AI. Conclusion: We have applied this approach over several terms and found that using a meta-prompt provides flexibility, allowing us to remain independent of specific large language model providers.