Zephyr Enterprise Test Management Tool Review – How to Use Waterfall Model Assets in Agile Tool

A Comprehensive Look at Zephyr Enterprise Test Management Tool:

For a long time, enterprise quality assurance teams have relied on the waterfall methodology. However, with the rise of agile, many teams are looking to transition but are unsure how to do so. They struggle with choosing the right tool and following the appropriate migration process. In this review, we will explore Zephyr Enterprise Edition and how it enables the reuse of waterfall assets in an agile tool. We will also discuss the key factors to consider when evaluating test management solutions.

Zephyr Enterprise is a robust test management platform designed to handle all aspects of the testing lifecycle. It can be installed on-premise or as a SaaS-based solution. Zephyr is adaptable to various test methodologies, including waterfall, agile, V-Model, and hybrid approaches.

Zephyr’s logical hierarchy, starting from departments to projects, releases, or iterations, coupled with its versatile applications, allows for a flexible yet structured process flow. This adaptability makes it an ideal choice for accommodating changes in the software development lifecycle.

The Waterfall approach to software development has the following key characteristics:

• It follows a structured, well-documented, and disciplined process.
• Multiple projects can run in parallel due to the non-iterative nature of the methodology.
• It is predictive and commonly used for more stable projects.

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The Agile approach to software development has the following salient aspects:

• It is adaptive, fast, and less restrictive.
• It consists of multiple iterations (1-4 weeks), with each iteration being a standalone software project producing fully functional components.
• Continuous communication, re-usability, and final release are key elements.

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In most cases, companies adopt a hybrid approach blending waterfall and agile methodologies to best suit their environment. This hybrid model can involve teams simultaneously following different methodologies or transitioning from one approach to another. Additionally, it may be implemented based on partner or customer requirements. Zephyr facilitates the integration of these hybrid models.

Exploring Zephyr Enterprise User Interface

Zephyr Enterprise Overview Video:

 

Seamless Contextual Release Spaces:

All testing assets in Zephyr are organized using contextual release spaces, enabling a smooth workflow. Assets are grouped by projects and further categorized into releases, iterations, or sprints. Each contextual space contains applications to manage requirements, test cases, scheduling, assignments, results, reports, metrics, and documents specific to that testing lifecycle. Test cases can be reused across multiple projects and releases with the help of the Global Tree mechanism.

Role-Based Customized Testing Desktops:

Every user in Zephyr is assigned a role and provided with a customized testing desktop featuring relevant applications. This setup enables users to perform their tasks more efficiently. Data sharing is facilitated through a centralized repository on the Zephyr server, and communication takes place via a collaborative backbone. Real-time dashboards keep the whole company updated on testing progress and product quality.

Efficient Navigation with Contextual View:

Zephyr’s contextual view allows users to navigate between releases and open multiple applications within a single release. For example, users can work on Release Setup and Requirements Management simultaneously or switch to another release with separate applications. The tab structure at the top of the user interface ensures easy navigation within the tool. Additionally, users can access search functionality and help resources at the top-right corner of the screen.

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Release Setup Application:

The Release Setup application allows users to create new releases or clone existing ones. Cloning provides the option to select specific areas of a release to replicate, such as test case repositories, requirement repositories, attachments and mappings, execution records, and defect mappings.

Requirements Management:

Requirements play a crucial role in the testing lifecycle. Zephyr allows requirements to be imported from external sources like Excel or Atlassian’s JIRA, or they can be created directly within the UI. Test cases can be mapped to requirements, and comprehensive reports can be generated to establish traceability from requirements to test cases to defects.

Repository Setup:

Zephyr’s Repository Setup feature enables users to set folder assignment restrictions for specific test folders (e.g., test suites or phases). Test cases can be added, cloned, or deleted within each folder or subfolder, maintaining a nested folder structure. Linked test cases can be managed within releases.

Test Case Execution and Assignment Setup:

The Testcase EAS application allows users responsible for assigning and scheduling cycles and phases to build overall execution cycles or sprints. Phases or areas of testing are defined within each sprint. Zephyr provides options to incorporate existing phases created during Test Case Creation or create custom phases via search, folder structure navigation, or past sprints.

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Execute Manual and Automated Test Cases:

Zephyr provides a highly intuitive screen that allows users to access and execute both manual and automated test cases. Test cases created in the Test Case Creation application and assigned in the Testcase EAS application can be executed at the step level as well as the overall test case level. Automation can be triggered using Zephyr’s ZBot and ZIPs technology, seamlessly integrating with various automation frameworks.

Defects Management and Integration:

As test cases are executed, defects can be managed within Zephyr or integrated with external defect tracking systems such as Atlassian’s JIRA. Zephyr’s integration with JIRA is unparalleled, allowing seamless integration of a single Zephyr project with multiple JIRA projects and providing metrics within the Zephyr Enterprise UI.

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Metrics and Reports:

The Metrics and Reports application in Zephyr allows users to track distribution, execution, defect, and requirements-based metrics, as well as trend charts. These metrics provide real-time insights into testing progress and can be drilled down for more detailed views. Additionally, metrics can be displayed on project dashboards, accessible to all project members and dashboard users.

Key Features

• Efficient management of testing releases and sprints
• Ability to add and track requirements
• Organized test repositories
• Creation and reuse of manual tests
• Planning and execution of automation scripts
• Integration with leading defect tracking solutions (JIRA & Bugzilla) and over 400 automation frameworks
• Real-time collaboration
• Real-time custom metrics and dashboards
• Unlimited API access
• Enterprise-ready test management
• Available as SaaS or on-premise

Pros:

• Smooth transition to agile
• Ranked #1 for HPQC replacement
• Integration with JIRA and Bugzilla
• Centralized testing
• Automation capability
• Enhanced visibility and traceability
• Open API access
• Flexible pricing options
• Simplified migration process
• Free metrics and dashboards

Cons:

• No integration with TFS or Rally
• Not cost competitive with smaller test management tools
• Lacks a test recorder application
• Only three UI skins available

Elevate Your Agile Testing with Zephyr Enterprise

Zephyr Enterprise Edition stands out as a test management solution, offering rich functionality that enables QA teams and testers to create and execute test cases with minimal effort. This allows more time for actual testing, reducing time-wasting steps. Zephyr also provides project management features, including real-time push-based metrics for informed decision-making and free project dashboards.

Zephyr can be deployed as either a SaaS-based solution or an on-premise deployment with robust security measures. It offers industry-strength scalability, documented APIs, and regular maintenance and upgrades.

Sign up for a free 1-year trial of Zephyr’s agile solution here.

Are you currently using Zephyr as your test management tool? Which features do you find most beneficial, and are there any limitations you have encountered with the tool? Share your thoughts in the comments below.