Using Large Language Models for Natural Language Processing Tasks in Requirements Engineering: A Systematic Guideline

Large Language Models (LLMs) are the cornerstone in automating Requirements Engineering (RE) tasks, underpinning recent advancements in the field. Their pre-trained comprehension of natural language is pivotal for effectively tailoring them to specific RE tasks. However, selecting an appropriate LLM from a myriad of existing architectures and fine-tuning it to address the intricacies of a given task poses a significant challenge for researchers and practitioners in the RE domain. Utilizing LLMs effectively for NLP problems in RE necessitates a dual understanding: firstly, of the inner workings of LLMs, and secondly, of a systematic approach to selecting and adapting LLMs for NLP4RE tasks. This chapter aims to furnish readers with essential knowledge about LLMs in its initial segment. Subsequently, it provides a comprehensive guideline tailored for students, researchers, and practitioners on harnessing LLMs to address their specific objectives. By offering insights into the workings of LLMs and furnishing a practical guide, this chapter contributes towards improving future research and applications leveraging LLMs for solving RE challenges.