A Step by Step Guide to IBM Rational ClearQuest Tool

In terms of project management, different tools are commonly used and recommended depending on client needs and likings. For instance, “Quality Center” is popular for certain projects to handle project information, whereas Rational ClearQuest tool fetches preference for others.

Rational ClearQuest is an IBM Rational software division product, primarily a defect management and workflow automation software. It is extensively employed in projects that deal with testing as a bug tracking and change request tracking tool. ClearQuest allows you to keep an eye on the progress and current state of project development.

Here is a brief rundown of the Rational ClearQuest (CQ) tool.

Significant Uses and Features of IBM ClearQuest:

1) ClearQuest is effective in managing and maintaining project defect details as well as CRs (Change Requests).

2) It functions in a client-server environment, connecting several computers (clients) with a server over the internet.

3) Via ClearQuest, you can observe the project’s present status and analytics by executing queries.

4) The philosophy of “Schema” and “Schema Repository” are used in ClearQuest for arranging project data. The data structure, record kinds, states, actions, and forms are determined by the schema, while the schema repository accommodates one or multiple schemas.

5) It simplifies project administration by merging developers, testers, project heads, managers, and clients together.

6) ClearQuest is made flexible to be customized in alignment with any project’s distinctive processes and requisites.

IBM ClearQuest Installation Guide:

The official website is where you can download IBM Rational ClearQuest. You need to generate an IBM ID before proceeding to download the software. The installation files encompass the IBM Installation Manager, which is integral for the installation course.

To install ClearQuest, IBM Installation Manager must be primary installed on your device. This program is accountable for installing plus updating IBM applications on your system. It can be installed either from the Launchpad program or straight from the product installation files.

The brass tacks of the step-by-step installation process are available in the official documentation provided by IBM.

Launching ClearQuest:

Click on the start menu and navigate to Rational ClearQuest to open ClearQuest.

Every individual needs a distinct login ID to enter ClearQuest. The project manager or ClearQuest administrator provides the login ID. Initially, the login ID “admin” does not necessitate a password.

A project manager or ClearQuest administrator is responsible for generating the required databases and configuring them according to project stipulations.

Generate a Change Request:

A Change Request (CR) must be developed in ClearQuest before initiating development and examination activities for a project. A CR is designed to address software issues, defects, or enhancements usually. A CR’s layout or format is referred to as a “record type.”

For generating a CR, press on the “New Defect” button present on the toolbar. Fill in the required fields and submit the CR. Attach additional pertinent documents if it might give further information about the CR. Once it is delegated to an engineer for further operation, the state of a CR shifts from “Submitted” to “Assigned.”

Producing a New Defect:

A defect symbolizes a lapse or discrepancy from the expected outcome in a software project. Recording defects is critical for communicating problems or issues to the team.

To build a new defect in ClearQuest, go to the “File” menu and choose “New Defect.” Populate the needed fields and press “OK” to generate the defect record. You can also annex any relevant add-ons for additional reference on the defect.

Manipulating Queries:

Queries in ClearQuest serve to view and track records, including changes executed on CRs. By running queries, peculiar data from the project can be parsed and analyzed.

It’s possible to find predefined queries in the “Public Queries” folder in ClearQuest. All ClearQuest users can employ these queries. To utilize a query, just double-click it to execute the query and observe the results in the right section of the screen.

Modify a Query:

In the event that an existing query fails to meet your needs, you may photocopy the query to your project file and modify it suitably. To accomplish this, right-click on the query, proceed to “Edit,” and make the necessary modifications. You can adjust the filters, display layout, and other parameters to customize the query to your exclusive needs.

Formulate a New Query:

Go to the “Query” menu and select “New Query” to write a new query in ClearQuest. Pursue the steps to compose a new query which include entering the query name, selecting the record type, adding filters, grouping filters, and amending the result set. Save the query and run it to view the results.

A Step-by-Step Process of Forming a New Query

These steps will help you form a new query in ClearQuest:

1. Open the “File” menu and choose “New Query”. Provide a name for the query and select the record type (such as, Defect). Click “Next”.
2. In the Query Wizard window, choose the filters you wish to apply for the query. Relocate the desired filters from the Fields Pane to the Filters Pane.
3. If appropriate, select the values for your filters.
4. Group the filters as needed. Right-click a field, press “Group,” and then choose the adjacent field to establish the grouping.
5. Save the query and run it to view the outputs.

Data Importation from Excel:

An Excel file can serve as a source to import data into ClearQuest. Open Excel and steer to “Data” – “Import External Data” – “New Web Query”. Choose the data you want to import and hit “Import”. Designate the location where you want to preserve the imported data and press “OK”.

Data Profusion from CQ:

The result set of a query in ClearQuest can be exported to a file for offline access. Click on the Export icon present on the result set toolbar and choose the chosen export format (.txt or .xls). Specify the file path for the exported data and press “OK”.

Leveraging Charts in CQ:

To visualize project data, ClearQuest lets you employ charts. There are two types of charts accessible: distribution charts and aging charts. Distribution charts offer a graphical depiction of the present state of data, while aging charts represent historical data.

Pre-existing charts in ClearQuest can be modified to adapt to your project’s strictures. Open the chart, proceed to “Edit” – “Properties”, and make the required modifications to the data display format and parameters.

Report Creation in CQ:

Creating a report is possible in ClearQuest; however, a licensed version of Crystal Reports Designer is necessitated to concoct or modify reports. ClearQuest reports are used to display project data in varying modes and can be exported to various document formats.

To craft a report, initially, run a query; then click on the “Create Report” button in the toolbar. Choose the report format, select it, and press “OK”. The report will be generated in line with the query results. You can store the report in your Personal Queries folder for later use.

To execute pre-existing reports, extend the Reports folder in ClearQuest, choose the desired report, right-click on it and select “Run”. The report will be displayed.

Utilizing ClearQuest Favorites:

To set favorites in ClearQuest, right-click on a record type (query, chart, report, etc.), and opt for “Add to ClearQuest Favorites”. Your ClearQuest Favorites section in the left pane will have the item added.

Using ClearQuest Web Client:

A web client interface is a way to access ClearQuest. If the ClearQuest desktop client isn’t installed on your system, you will be automatically directed to the web client. The web client offers the same functionalities as the desktop client does, facilitating access to and tracking of Change Requests, defects, etc.

Recommendations for IBM CQ Usage:

1) In case additional enlightenment on a specific feature in ClearQuest is required, refer to the Help section and look for concerned topics.

2) Result set data display format is adaptable in ClearQuest. Queries lists can be adjusted with the modification of the columns displayed and personalized interface.

3) ClearQuest allows queries, reports, or charts to run automatically upon startup. Right-click on the record in the left pane, select “Run at Startup”, and every time you boot ClearQuest, it will initiate execution.

4) If you have any queries concerning administering ClearQuest, the official documentation provided by IBM would be a helpful reference.

Final Verdict:

The broad guide, brimming with vital information to operate IBM Rational ClearQuest tool efficiently, is beneficial for managing change requests, tracking defects and enhancing project management courses. As familiarity with the tool is achieved, complex queries can be formulated, reports created, and ClearQuest customization can be done suiting specific project necessities. ClearQuest proves to be a crucial tool for tracking and handling defects in developmental projects throughout varied industries.

We trust that this guide has been extremely helpful to you. For additional queries or comments, feel free to get in touch. Happy testing!