Model element characteristic preservation is provided when instantiating unified modeling language elements of a unified modeling language model. Requirements management tool elements become associated with a stereotype via, for instance, user assignment of the stereotype to a requirements type of the requirements management project. A stereotype assignment is obtained for a requirements management tool element, and the stereotype is automatically applied when instantiating a UML element representative of the requirements management tool element. Nesting and traceability relationships between the requirements management tool element and other requirements management tool elements are additionally preserved.