qTest eXplorer Review: The Ultimate Tool For The Agile Tester!

If you’re on the hunt for a Test Management System capable of meeting the demands of Agile Testing and keeping pace with the rapid iterations of agile development, QASymphony’s newest product may just be what you need. The firm just launched an integration of its Test Management tool, qTest, and its Exploratory Testing instrument, qTest eXplorer.

This comprehensive testing system intends to be the all-in-one choice for testers, dealing with the complete lifecycle from requirements and test case formulation, through test execution and glitch tracking, to real-time reporting on the status and quality criteria.

You can quickly utilize this cloud-based solution within a matter of minutes. It supports both scripted and impromptu (Exploratory) Testing techniques.

Now, let’s scrutinize the features of this program:

Read on to this related piece: => Comprehensive Analysis of qTest Test Management Tool

qTest eXplorer Setup

You won’t need to undergo an installation process for qTest as it’s a cloud-based product. Just follow a few simple steps to create an account and establish your project:

#1) Obtain qTest first – The trial registration process is pretty straightforward. Simply visit the qTest website and click on the free trial button.

#2) Post-registration, you’ll receive a trial activation link in the email address furnished by you.

#3) Use your selected credentials to log in. You’ll be greeted with a sample project and a collection of tutorials.

#4) Setting up qTest Explorer – On the top part of the screen, you’ll find a link that urges you to download and install eXplorer. Alternatively, you can opt for it from the drop-down Help menu.

#5) The download size is less than 20MB, and the installation process is swift and simple. Input your login details in eXplorer, and it will automatically synchronize with your qTest setup.

Initiating the Process

The qTest system boasts an intuitive design, ensuring users can promptly get started. The menu entries are self-descriptive, and video tutorials are also available. Additionally, you have the choice to book a live demo, proving to be beneficial for effortless and speedy onboarding.

Upon installing eXplorer, it will auto-launch with qTest. You’ll observe a tiny widget on your screen’s right-hand side that expands into view when you navigate your mouse over it.

You can position this widget as per your preference, and the configuration process is straightforward. For comprehensive instructions, just click on the small triangle at the widget’s top to bring up the drop-down menu and select Help.

Attributes of qTest Explorer

Collection of Valuable Features:

• Support for Agile testing
• Smart multi-screen capture
• Auto-recording of all clicks and screen activities
• Cross-application snipping
• Benefits to append notes and annotations
• Capability to submit test cases and defects

A chief highlight of the qTest platform is its elevated level of customization. By clicking on the small gear symbol at the top of qTest, you can tailor every aspect of your project. The Integration Settings option permits you to link existing glitch tracking systems and databases such as Bugzilla, FogBugz, JIRA, Rally, or Version-One.

Before you start working with qTest, it’s advised to arrange your Field Settings and Notification Settings. You can designate the precise field names you wish and incorporate custom fields to your project in qTest. After establishing your new project, adding and setting up user accounts, it’s time to investigate the eXplorer tool.

#1) Document all actions: The eXplorer tool operates behind the scenes, recording each testing action taken throughout a testing session. It subsequently auto-generates comprehensive documentation that includes textual descriptions of the conducted actions, supplemented by screen captures.

Choosing the gear symbol on the eXplorer widget unveils various settings that empower you to define testing time types, delegate hotkeys for actions and notes, append templates, and establish connections to defect tracking systems. You can decide to record everything, an active window, or a definite area of the screen.

Note: This screenshot captures a single step in a wide-ranging test case that involves a Google search.

Upon pressing the record button, a popup box will show up, urging you to input a title. You also have the possibility to include a description and set an estimated duration. Furthermore, you can choose which open applications should be included in the test, thus making it easy to neglect applications like instant messengers or email clients that may be active but not included in the test.

#2) Snip only what’s vital: You can also stipulate the number of screens to be stored by maintaining only the last 20 screens, thereby restricting the necessary storage space. This allows you to keep eXplorer running incessantly, making sure to document vital information for any anomalies reported.

#3) Comprehensive set of screenshot editing tools: At the conclusion of a session, clicking the stop button provides a sequential analysis of your actions during the test. You can edit, remove, and annotate each step and screenshot. The editing toolset incorporates functions like text input, area highlighting, and cropping.

Screenshots are listed on the screen’s left side. By selecting “Session”, you can modify session details and view a breakdown of your test based on time types. You can also opt for the Environment choice to procure extensive system information and the employed application version.

#4) Auto-Creation of Test Cases: Once happy with the recorded steps, you can submit them directly into qTest to auto-generate a test case for scripted testing. Alternatively, you can send them to your glitch database as Word or JPG attachments. Exporting them as Excel documents is also feasible.

All the preserved data, along with the corresponding environment, will be incorporated into these submissions. You have the discretion to decide whether to include all screenshots or choose selective ones that elucidate the defect.

Submitting to qTest will provide you with a Test Case ID hyperlink that you can follow. By default, all test cases formulated from eXplorer are classified under the eXplorer Test Case section in qTest. You can edit and move them as needed.

If you wish to utilize the exploratory test session recorded with eXplorer as the basis for a new defect or create a test case for regression testing, the process is swift and uncomplicated due to the automatic pre-population of relevant data.

#5) Quick Compilation of User Manuals, Training Documents, and Guidance Manuals: The combined strength of the qTest test management system for organizing and monitoring your project and the eXplorer tool for capturing extensive step-by-step documentation genuinely equips you with all you need for scripted and impromptu testing requirements.

The “what”, “when”, and “how” of each testing situation become clear through automatic capture, enabling your testers to concentrate on detecting new defects instead of being burdened by documentation.

#6) A Substantial Time-Saver for UAT Testers: qTest eXplorer significantly aids UAT testers in submitting comprehensive glitch reports. This proves to be particularly handy as UAT testers often encompass business users who may not be skilled at writing appropriate defect reports.

Ease of Use

The auto-tracking of test sessions is hugely advantageous and streamlines the tasks of testers and developers. A cloud-based Test Management solution considerably reduces the burden on IT and renders qTest remarkably user-friendly and rapidly implementable.

Every test session and glitch have a clear traceability chain, and all relevant data is auto-recorded. The platform’s usability primarily stems from the automation process and its ability to lighten the tester’s workload.

Aspects to Enhance

• Currently, the qTest eXplorer solution only extends support for Windows 7 or 8. Testers using Mac OS or Linux would desire compatibility with their chosen operating systems.
• Backing for iOS and Android mobile platforms would also be a worthy addition, particularly for those performing mobile app testing.

Conclusion

Extending qTest with qTest eXplorer and capitalizing on its step-by-step test session recording capabilities for generating test cases is highly advisable.

Software development has seen swift advancements, leaving agile testers scrambling for adequate tools. In terms of swiftness, competence, and transparency, qTest coupled with qTest eXplorer outperforms its rivals. Its fast and straightforward setup, adaptable nature suited to various project stages, and unwavering commitment to empowering testers render qTest genuinely exceptional.

About the Author:

This review was compiled by Kaushal Amin, the Chief Technology Officer for KMS Technology, an IT services facilitator operating throughout the software development lifecycle. KMS Technology has offices in Atlanta, GA, and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

Take some time to examine this tool and experience its massive capacity for your test management tasks, including test case formulation, defect recording, screen snipping, image editing, and much more.