Efficient Test Management detects errors before it's too late. And we all know, the saying "you learn from mistakes" is not always a good argument. Especially when developing software, testing is an important part of quality assurance. After all, a system must not only function, but also work efficiently and, above all, be secure. With Jira, the entire Test Management can be carried out in a very agile manner in just one tool.
Test Management is a continuous process and includes all activities for the development of a software with high quality. It is primarily concerned with ensuring software quality through various software tests. Test Management usually runs through several phases of software testing – mostly based on the test process according to ISTQB. ISTQB (International Software Testing Quality Board) is a general certification body for software testers, which has developed a standardized training for professional software testers over many years and has defined the following test phases in the testing process:
Test Managers are responsible for the tasks in Test Management and ensure quality assurance in software development with the help of a Test Management tool. This helps to identify errors in the test case and verify that the system meets the specified requirements, including functionality, performance, and reliability. Tests can be performed manually or automated. They are divided into different types of tests: component tests, integration tests, functional tests, end-to-end tests, acceptance tests, performance tests and smoke tests.
Test Management aims to establish a predictable and reliable testing process. This should help to efficiently develop and put into operation high-quality software. In addition to test planning, creating test cases based on collected requirements, test analysis, execution cycles, defect documentation and reporting, the Test Management process also includes measuring the testing process itself. This enables Test Managers to continuously improve their testing based on data. True to the credo: "Quality can't be measured, but it can be discussed and assessed".
The right software – meant the right Test Management tool – is crucial for efficient Test Management. Test Management tools serve Test Managers as an all-encompassing instrument in software testing and promote test automation in the process. They link all interfaces between the process steps and guide the testers through the process – from planning to developing test cases to execution.
Why use resource-intensive Test Management tools as external software when it also works with Jira Software? Jira was originally developed for bug tracking – the perfect prerequisite for using it as a tool for Test Management. After all, the testing process is primarily about finding and fixing bugs in software. As an established Project Management tool, every test process can be mapped out-of-the-box in Jira. What is needed for optimal Test Management are suitable add-ons that offer extended testing functions. One add-on that we like to use in Jira is the app Xray.
Easily and agilely perform all steps of Test Management in Jira: Xray seamlessly integrates into Jira and extends the software with all important tools needed in Test Management. In this way, the management of the test process comes together in one central place, remains extremely agile due to the direct Jira integration, and scores above all with cost-effectiveness and user-friendliness. With the integration of Xray in Jira, predefined issue types can be used to map the test entities. Both automated tests and manual testing are possible with Xray in Jira. Xray independently distinguishes between test project, in which the tests are stored, and requirement project, which contains the requirements to be tested (e.g. stories, bugs, requirements, changes). The tool also supports the concept of a test repository. Here, the test cases are organized in folders. The app also follows standards such as ISTQB and guides Test Managers through the following test phases:
Efficient Test Management stands and falls with good organization. In the pre-condition, conditions for tests can be specified and reused later. Manual tests, automatic cucumber tests and automatic tests with generic automation connection can be selected as tests by default.
The test set and test repository functions help to organize the test process. Here, test cases can be set up as well as tests be combined in order to use them in a well-structured way in further test planning. Depending on the project, entire test suites or small test sets can be created.
Test planning can be used to define both test strategy and the processes to be validated. In doing so, the app allows flexible determination of whether tests will be executed manually or automatically, how resources will be used, and at what time the tests will be executed by which Test Manager.
Test execution focuses on the functionality of the tests in the target environment. After test execution, reporting records which tests have passed, failed, are being executed or are still waiting to be executed.
Many advantages usually result from a structured Test Management with clear tasks, roles and responsibilities. These include:
Throughout product development and continuous improvement, we also support our customers as an IT service provider in testing. With the right tools we build an individual Test Management software with Jira that meets all requirements and projects. In doing so, we rely on proven best practices as well as frameworks such as ISTQB and ITIL (ITSM). If desired, we also provide our own test team, offer training for testers or Test Managers and ensure long-term quality, resources and agile teamwork in the company.
