Software production has been around for a while, and the industry is continuously evolving. That said, when the first piece of software hit the market, it likely had numerous flaws that developers knew nothing about. The first bug reporting tools relied on human knowledge, and even the best could fall victim to error. As time progressed, test management tools became smarter, simplifying the resolution process. In this article, you can find out how these tools transformed conventional testing practices.
They Offered Automation
When a piece of software was created in the past, the testing process was simple: the developer would send the code to the tester, who would run it and send it back with the found errors. Depending on the project, these tests may have been small but frequent, requiring a lot of time.
Modern defect tracking software brought automation to the table, making it easier to perform tedious, repetitive tests. This would eventually save precious time.
They Improved Visibility
The standard way of reporting bugs was through spreadsheets and documents delivered to the employees’ desks or through email. This could cause documents to be missed because team members did not know they received the update.
Test case software offers better visibility through a variety of features. Stakeholders can view the status of the issue in their dashboards, determining whether or not the problem was addressed. Advanced communication features also ensure they are notified immediately, preventing potential delays.
They Improved Prioritization
Bugs have different priority levels, depending on how much they affect the functionality of the application. Multiple tests are performed to determine how important they are to resolve. This is a crucial step, as high-priority errors have a higher potential of causing costly delays.
A modern test case management system often relies on AI to determine which type of defect is a priority. It can tap into databases within seconds, compiling a priority list with all the information available.
They Offer Integration
As a tester, there is a good chance that you may be using other applications to gather data. In the past, all that information was manually transferred into spreadsheets, which would take a significant amount of time.
Modern data management tools can be integrated with other applications, improving delivery. The information can either be imported through a click or is automatically updated once a modification is made.
They Provide Better History Tracking
When launching an application, multiple tests are done from the beginning to the end. Depending on the project’s complexity, this could mean numerous tests per day. Old documents are often removed when traditional spreadsheets are used to prevent crowding. It is also difficult to determine who made a modification.
The modern bug tracking system will keep every version of a document organized, enabling easy access. This way, if you need an old version of a code or want to know who modified what, test case management systems make the data easily searchable.
The Bottom Line
Test management tools have significantly revolutionized the testing process in recent years. Errors are easily found or reviewed, and delays are also reduced considerably. So, do your research to find the right program and benefit from these modern features.
