Requirements-based testing ensures what key aspect of testing?

Requirements-based testing primarily focuses on ensuring that all specified functionality is tested. This approach is grounded in the idea that testing should be directly linked to the requirements set forth at the beginning of the project. By aligning test cases with these requirements, the testing process can effectively verify that the software behaves as expected according to the outlined specifications.

The rationale behind this practice is to ensure comprehensive coverage of the functional requirements. Each requirement is translated into one or more test cases, which means that if a requirement is not tested, the corresponding functionality verification is also missed. Therefore, requirements-based testing plays a crucial role in identifying gaps in test coverage, leading to a more reliable and satisfactory software product.

In a context where the focus is entirely on ensuring that all functionality specified in the requirements is adequately tested, the other options do not align with the essence of requirements-based testing. Automation is not a necessity of requirements-based testing, nor is it focused on defect logging or requiring participation from all team members in the testing process. The key takeaway here is the commitment to validating the functionalities as outlined, which directly correlates to customer satisfaction and software quality.