What is test management tool ?

According to Wikipedia, Test management tools are used to structure automated tests and manual test processes, and to easily manage multiple environments. Quality assurance teams use these types of tools as a single application for managing test cases, environments, automated tests, defects and project tasks. Test management tools offer the prospect of streamlining the testing process and allow quick access to data analysis, collaborative tools and easy communication across multiple project teams. Tracking of bugs, defects and project tasks are done within one application, simplifying processes and saving team’s time and money.

Before few months, I started R&D work on this topic alongwith my routing work. To stream my search, I make list of my requirement(s) for this which was as below.

• Open source tool
• Easy to use
• Web based tool (like mantis). So,user can access from anywhere.
• Provide connectivity with our current bug tracking system – Mantis
• Import  test cases created in to excel.

Based on above requirements I found few tools like Rth, Rth Turbo, Testlink etc. I setup local environment for them and use it from end user perspective because before considering any tool I wanted to know their pro(s) and con(s) completely. Based on that experience, I decided to go with Testlink.

Apart from my basic requirement, here is the list of stuff which can be achieved by this test management tool.

• User web based GUI. You can access it from everywhere without installation

• Multiple databases support. TestLink runs with MySQL, PostgreSQL or MSSQL.
• Multiple user supporting with privileges.
• Easy in tracking test cases with version, test case id etc.
•  Multiple project supporting.
•  Attachments and custom fields could be added to particular objects (for example Test Cases, Test results, etc.)
•  Create or import own requirement document and trace requirements to test results. Each test case can be mapped to a functional requirement.
•  We can compose rich test plans containing chosen set of test cases. Each Test Plans can collect test results for particular builds and platforms. Testing can be prioritized, assigned to testers, defined milestones.
• We can import test cases & Requirements directly in to testlink by XML.
•  TestLink allows anyone to view a variety of different test plan reports including: a bug report, a progress report, and failure rate report, and more.
• Export of documentation to HTML, MS Word and MS Excel is supported.
•  User can send reports directly  by email from system itself.

In my next post I will explain, what is basic requirement to configure Testlink in your local environment and how to configure it?

I hope above information save your time while you want to take decision regarding test management tool.

Happy Testing!!!