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 teams time and money.
Contents |
Test management tools give teams the ability to consolidate and structure the test process using one test management tool, instead of installing multiple applications that are designed to manage only one step of the process. Test management tools allow teams to manage test case environments, automated tests, defects and project tasks. Some applications include advanced dashboards and detailed tracking of key metrics, allowing for easy tracking of progress and bug management.
A test management tool that includes everything needed to manage the test process can save testers the hassle of installing separate applications that are necessary for the testing process. They can be implemented with minimal programming ability, allowing for easy installation and monitoring of the test process across multiple project groups. Once installed, teams have instant access to a user interface and can immediately start running and recording test cases. These types of applications are designed to simplify the test management process with high levels of automation and tracking built in, yet don’t require advanced programming skills or knowledge to implement. They are useful for teams who manage a variety of test cases and for larger teams who need an all-inclusive application for project management.
Once a project has kicked off, a test management tool tracks bug status, defects and projects tasks, and allows for collaboration across the team. When administering test cases, users can access a variety of dashboards to gain access to data instantly, making the test process efficient and accurate. The type of dashboard used is determined by the scope of the project and the information and data that needs to be extracted during the testing process. Data can be shared and accessed across multiple project teams, allowing for effective communication and collaboration throughout the testing process.
The following is a list of tools that have some test management capabilities. The items in this list are either commercial or OpenSource tools.
| Product | Creator | License | Automated unit tests |
Automated GUI tests |
Manual tests |
Defect management |
Launch date |
Additional comments |
Refs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enterprise Tester | Catch | proprietary | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | 2009-03-10 | Tight integration with Atlassian tools. Automated tests are integrated using the Duette plugin. | [1] |
| HP Quality Center | Hewlett-Packard (formerly Mercury Interactive) | proprietary | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Unknown | ||
| IBM Rational Quality Manager | IBM (formerly Rational Software) | proprietary | |||||||
| QAComplete | SmartBear | proprietary | 2010-11-02 | [2] | |||||
| QADirector | Micro Focus International | proprietary | As of October 2011, this product is no longer listed on the Micro Focus product list. | [3] | |||||
| QMetry | QMetry | proprietary | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 2008-11-01 | Bi-directional integration with Atlassian tools, including JIRA. Integration with automation tools like Selenium, QTP, Sahi etc.. | [4] |
| SilkCentral Test Manager | Micro Focus International (formerly Segue Software) | proprietary | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Unknown | [5] | |
| Team Foundation Server | Microsoft | proprietary | |||||||
| TestLink | TeamTest | GNU General Public License | [6] | ||||||
| Testopia | Mozilla | Unknown | [7] | ||||||
| TestWave | Automation Consultants | proprietary | No | No | Yes | Yes | 2011-01-01 | Cloud-based test management tool | [8] |
| XStudio | XQual | proprietary + GNU Lesser General Public License | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 2008-11-01 | Integration with around 30 test automation frameworks (i.e. Selenium, JUnit, QTP etc.) + manual tests | [9] |