Want to know the secret behind some of the industry’s greatest software projects?
Although your first thought may be the sophistication of the code or the speed of the release cycle, it actually has a lot to do with the efficiency and discipline of the test management process.
That’s because behind every smooth launch and every satisfied end user is a team that understands the importance of planning, executing, and reporting on software testing with precision, transparency, and rigor.
Whether your team is working to establish a test management process or enhance the effectiveness of their current approach, this guide is the perfect end-to-end reference for quality assurance (QA) managers who want a clear playbook for structuring their testing process.
Test management is the systematic process of creating, organizing, executing, documenting, and monitoring test cases throughout a software development project. It involves not only writing test scripts but also planning, controlling, and monitoring the entire testing process.
At its core, test management provides traceability, ensuring that every requirement identified is mapped to a test case, every defect is tracked, and every outcome is documented.
Ultimately, the purpose of testing is to validate that a software design is fit for purpose, free of defects, and meets quality standards. When done well, test management not only improves efficiency, reduces costs, and prevents software flaws from reaching customers, but it also establishes a repeatable process that enables teams to consistently meet customer expectations.
In other words, software testing with a sound test management approach goes beyond catching defects. Done well, it fosters collaboration across teams and provides a unified, predictable process that aligns QA with business objectives.
The result is a software development process that yields faster delivery, fewer production issues, and higher user satisfaction.
Test management is more than an administrative checkbox; it is the backbone of effective quality assurance. This is because test management:
Test management is a team effort. Although each QA team is unique, generally they are comprised of several key roles:
Every project has its own unique constraints that shape the level of effort, time, and resources required. Because of this, QA managers have learned to leverage the strengths of both manual and automated tests.
At a high level, manual testing requires testers to walk through each test case, using sample data or inputs to validate the functionality or presence of a requirement. Manual testing relies on human judgment, exploration, and adaptability to replicate what “real-world” end users may encounter when using a piece of software.
Automated testing, on the other hand, is executed by test automation tools running test scripts. Although automated testing provides repeatability, speed, and scalability, its results are binary “success” or “fail,” without any room for subjective judgment.
A QA manager must know when and how to balance the strengths and weaknesses of each test approach and bring them under one framework, ensuring they complement each other to validate software functionality effectively.
Test management is not a one-and-done activity. In fact, the most effective test management plans follow cyclical testing models that evolve with the software design, allowing it to unfold across stages to ensure consistency from requirements to reporting.
Similarly, whether the software being evaluated is a full-scale, initial launch, or a dot release, sound test management should follow a structured process, including the following stages:
A strong foundation begins with well-formed and complete requirements. Therefore, QA managers need to ensure that stakeholders are aligned on what the software should achieve, what security elements need to be in place, and which risks need attention.
Requirements can also be unique to the individual software being developed or include universal requirements defined by industry standards, compliance rules, or internal best practices.
Pro Tip: Secure agreement on requirements and risks before testing begins. Misalignment here ripples into wasted effort when testing begins.
Requirements capture the functional and nonfunctional (i.e., performance, security, and usability) features of software. Once established, they are translated into test cases that testers can use to validate the presence of each feature in the software.
Often, these test cases are organized into test suites, or test runs, for easier analysis and coverage tracking or as a way to make best use of tester time, which is often borrowed from their other roles.
Ultimately, a well-designed test management process ensures each case has a purpose, that no requirement is left untested, and that each test can be directly tied to one or more requirements.
For both traditional “waterfall” development and Agile, QA managers can use test runs to assign specific cases to testers with clear timelines. Often, these test runs are grouped into milestones—or, in the case of Agile, “stories”—with key checkpoints that align with release cycles or major deliverables.
This is also the stage in which test data is made available to replicate the ultimate production version of the software, and related test environments are prepared for more realistic results.
Execution is where test planning meets reality. Testers follow cases, log results, document bugs or defects, and report issues.
Pro Tip: Provide testers with clear instructions and streamlined, secure feedback channels to avoid confusion and lost insights.
Progress tracking is vital not only to monitor performance against the defined schedule and resource plan, but also to measure other metrics to evaluate software quality, test coverage, and defect resolution. Progress tracking can also aid in identifying resourcing bottlenecks.
Bugs and issues shouldn't be taken lightly. As they are discovered, duplicate issues should be removed, priorities should be set, and ownership for resolution or acceptance should be assigned.
Throughout testing, managers should always have a clear picture of what is fixed, what defects remain open, and how close the project is to release.
Want to take your test management approach to the next level? Here are some proven best practices your team can use to amplify the impact of your testing effort:
A leading test management platform delivers the key elements and functionality that QA managers need to keep the testing process structured and efficient. These elements include the ability to create and manage:
Selecting the right test management tool is a critical decision for every QA team. Whether you’re looking to upgrade your current platform or are on the hunt for your first solution, here are the key elements your team needs to know:
If your team still relies on spreadsheets, disconnected bug trackers, or manual reporting, it is a sign that your current system has reached its limits. The result is wasted time, gaps in test coverage spots, and tester burnout.
There are many test management platforms out there. However, not all systems are created equally. The leading test management tools do more than centralize test activities; they also provide:
As we’ve covered in this guide, test management is more than running a list of test scripts. Instead, it is a repeatable, structured, and proven method for determining whether a software design meets its objectives on time and with confidence.
One of the most effective ways to ensure that your QA team reaps all the benefits of a thorough test management approach is to leverage a platform designed for QA teams: TestMonitor.
TestMonitor is an end-to-end test management solution built for modern QA teams, giving them all the tools they need—from setup to reporting and sign-off—within one secure, customizable, and cloud-available environment. TestMonitor facilitates each stage of the test management process, no matter when and where your testers work.
The result?
Want to see firsthand how TestMonitor can streamline quality assurance on your next software project?