Test Management Tools: An Underrated Asset in Quality Assurance
Tezza Business Solutions Ltd
Strategy & Consulting I Software Testing/QA I Digital Marketing I Technology & Engineering I USA, Nigeria & Kenya
Testing and quality assurance (QA) in Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) are very crucial activities that are non-negotiable if the standard for a product that suits market demand is to be met. As simple as testing and quality assurance may sound, underneath are ‘rigorous’ tasks to be performed at different phases to attain a successful outcome by delivering a quality product or service.
In this age of technological advancement and digital transformation, the ‘how’ business processes are followed through to achieve the best result has become a thing of concern among stakeholders – that activities are not just done but that they are performed well.
That Testing involves many activities calls for the ability to be able to manage them. Test management is the process of managing testing activities usually by a test manager to ensure high-quality testing of software application. “Test management is the practice of organizing and controlling the process and artifacts required for the verification and validation efforts.” With test management, test activities can be prioritized thereby reducing the time spent on solving software problems. Interestingly, modern tools have been developed for test management against traditional tools such as spreadsheets, word processors, and/or pen and paper.
Test Management Tool: What It Is
“A test management tool is a tool that provide support to the test management and control part of a test process.” It has the capability to manage testware, schedule tests, track progress, log in results, and give test reports. Test management tools enhance productivity and give better visibility that help to handle and control quality assurance process. They help to reduce duplication of data that can occur when testing, correcting defects, or at the requirement gathering stage. Test management tools have played significant roles in the Software Testing Life Cycle. Below is the list of some test management tools:
Reasons to Use Test Management Tools
The following are some of the reasons you should consider using test management tools:
1.Test Prioritization
A test management tools makes much easier to detect risk areas allowing the risk factors to be graded in the custom field and then prioritize them. This helps to save time and gives preference to the test with a higher risk to be executed.
2. Reduction in Data Duplication
As test management tools give comprehensive view of performed tests and any defects found, teams can have access and have the same view of test output reducing data duplication.
3. Assigning and Tracking of Test
Test management tool can help team members to assign specific tasks to individuals and also track how they perform the tasks and by who.
4. Traceable and Tracking of Test
With test management tools, testing every aspect of the application can be traced within a test management system. This can result to better accountability and better test plan in the future.
5. Assists in Regulatory Compliance
A test management tool can automatically keep a log of details for different tests run at different times, making it easy for documentation in regulated industries.
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6. Improving Coverage of Manual Test
Running a manual test through different data sets is often challenging and unproductive as it involves manually trying different sets of data for specific test steps. A test management process can make the process of iterating an existing manual test through a variety of data set easy, thereby increasing the coverage of existing manual tests.
7. Increases Collaboration
Test management tool ensures that developers and QA teams are on the same page, as different testing assets can be viewed as and when added. It helps the silos of information that exist between different teams and gives individuals the same information whenever they need it.
Test Management Tool - An Underrated Asset.
Despite the undeniable and beneficial impact of test management tool in Software Development Life Cycle, it is still underrated among developers and QA teams. They probably might not have known the value and the difference it can create and make in their test management system within the Software Development Life Cycle. A majority of teams still use Excel spreadsheets to organize and manage test cases. The reasons for this may not be far-fetched.
Many testers are comfortable with their familiarity with Excel and its versatility when it comes to test case management. Although change is constant, organizational change is not instantaneous and individuals may be reluctant to adapt to technological changes. Also, organization may not have the capacity to recruit and retrain staff and re-equip with the new technologies.
Considering the many advantages of test management tool, it is worth having among software development testing teams. Test management tool can be said to be an asset with so much value to contribute to the development of software applications and much more help the team to work efficiently and produce effective result. Undoubtedly, the value of test management tools is yet to be appreciated by testers within the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) which could be as a result of the aforementioned reasons. If that is the case, let’s consider going for a good option.
Tezza: A Good Option to Consider
Tezza is an IT company that is well equipped with the resources and technologies to cater for every software testing and quality assurance need. It has multi-skilled resources and tools for test management. Tezza can help with staff augmentation and training with efficient cost. You can reach out for more information via this link: tezzasolutions.com.
References:
1. 6 Reasons Test Management is Critical in an Agile World https://smartbear.com/blog/why-use-test-management-tool/
2. Test Management Tool definition https://glossary.istqb.org/en/term/test-management-tool
3. Why do we need a test management tool? https://www.inspiredtesting.com/news-insights/insights/358-why-do-we-need-a-test-management-tool
4. Test management tools – why they are essentials for you https://www.functionize.com/blog/test-management-tools-why-they-are-essential-for-you
5. A Comprehensive Guide to Choose the Best Test Management Software https://www.softwaretestinghelp.com/buyers-guide-test-management-software