Trace A Matrix

What do you mean by traceability?

Traceability is the ability to trace something as it moves through a process. In product development, it refers to the ability to track and trace requirements to artifacts, test runs, and anything else in the product lifecycle.

Requirement Traceability Matrix

What is RTM?

It is a testing artifact that keeps all user requirements and details of test cases mapped to each of those requirements.

It is a documented proof that all the requirements have been accounted for and validated to achieve their end purpose.

Traceability Matrix is a tabular document that helps in determining the

Completeness of a relationship by correlating any two baselined using

Many to many relationships comparison.

This documents mainly show the requirements, tests, test results and

Issues.

This document prove that requirements have been fulfilled.

Important steps for preparing the Traceability matrix:

· Identify all the requirements for the project, which can be defined as user stories.

· Create a list of test cases for each requirement or user story.

· Execute the test cases and record the results.

· Identify any defects or issues that arise during testing.

· Lastly create a matrix that links each requirement to its associated test cases and any defects that were found.

The traceability matrix is a useful tool for ensuring that all requirements are met and changes are properly managed and tracked through the development process.

Who prepares the requirement traceability matrix:

It is usually prepared by 'Business Analysts' or the project 'Architect' depending upon organization or project structure.

Types Of Traceability Test Matrix

Traceability matrix can be divided into three major components as mentioned below:

• Forward traceability: This matrix is used to check whether the project progresses in the desired direction and for the right product. It makes sure that each requirement is applied to the product and that each requirement is tested thoroughly. It maps requirements to test cases.

• Backward or reverse traceability: It is used to ensure whether the current product remains on the right track. The purpose behind this type of traceability is to verify that we are not expanding the scope of the project by adding code, design elements, test or other work that is not specified in the requirements. It maps test cases to requirements.

• Bi-directional traceability (Forward and Backward): This traceability matrix ensures that all requirements are covered by test cases. It analyzes the impact of a change in requirements affected by the defect in a work product and vice versa.

Advantages of Requirement Traceability Matrix

· It confirms 100% test coverage

· It highlights any requirements missing or document inconsistencies

· It shows the overall defects or execution status with a focus on business requirements

· It helps in analyzing or estimating the impact on the QA team’s work with respect to revisiting or re-working on the test cases

Parameters of requirement traceability matrix:

· Requirement ID

· Risks

· Requirement Type and Description

· Trace to design specification

· Unit test cases

· Integration test cases

· System test cases

· User acceptance test cases

· Trace to test script

These can be modified as per the requirements.

Good understanding of topic by following points-

To guarantee adherence

The final deliverables may be linked to a business need and all defined requirements have been satisfied. Additionally, it guarantees that all requirements are taken into account, which are

useful for design and analysis each business need must be transformed into a requirement

before becoming a technical specification, which subsequently becomes a deliverable, according to requirements traceability.

Impact of change analysis

Traceability assists in identifying the affected workflow, design, and test cases in the event that a requirement change occurs.

Provides thorough test coverage

The execution of the appropriate test cases, which are mapped to the requirement under test, is ensured via requirement traceability. Since all of the test cases are taken into account, this further enhances test coverage.

In the event that there are changes, not all of the produced test cases must be run. An ideal test procedure is achieved by using traceability to help identify damaged parts and then executing the appropriate test cases.

Aids in monitoring the development of a project

Monitoring the project's development involves analyzing the requirements and test findings and tracing it back to its beginnings. It also aids in monitoring whether or not timelines will actually be met by keeping an eye on reality.

Making and analyzing decisions

Any modifications to the business needs will directly affect the requirements, which will then have an impact on the development and testing phases.

The test cases linked to the impacted requirements are found and updated as a result. That makes it simpler for the teams to evaluate the change's overall impact.

More rapid time to market

Release cycles are accelerated by requirements traceability, which also speeds up the overall development process. The traceability of requirements has an inverse relationship with the amount of defects. Because it is simpler for the development team to comprehend and relate to, as well as for the testing team to comprehend the context and scope of testing, the defect rate decreases as traceability rises.

Greater customer assurance

With enhanced transparency, requirements traceability aids in earning and sustaining the trust and confidence of customers. Clients may rest easy knowing that all of their business demands have been taken into consideration.

If the customer is happy with the product everyone is satisfied.

Overall while the basic concept of traceability matrix remains the same, the specific approach and usage may differ based on the methodology being used.

In all the cases it is a useful tool for ensuring that all requirements

are met, and the changes are properly managed and tracked throughout the process.

Thankyou for reading!