Agile SDLC is considered one of the best SDLC methodologies, providing methods and procedures to execute a project in an agile manner. It includes the entire process of designing, building, testing and deployment.

Combining iterative and incremental process approaches, the Agile SDLC breaks down the development process into increments that are iteratively delivered. It prioritizes process flexibility and customer satisfaction by providing functioning software rapidly. It also enables testers, developers and stakeholders to work together to provide user stories that fully satisfy end-user requirements.

Here, we will see how the process of managing tests can impact Agile to make it more effective.

What is Test Management?

• Test management is a process that involves monitoring and managing software application testing.

• Test management aims to prioritize major tasks and assign the appropriate expertise to accomplish them.

• The process gathers the requirements of a project, creates a test plan, executes the tests and collects the execution result.

• Test management is an activity that testers perform to test an application from end to end and ensure that high standards are maintained.

A few test management tools are listed below:

• Test Rail 
• Zephyr Enterprise 
• Tuskr 
• Testo 

Test management follows certain guidelines like planning, methodizing, controlling, estimating risk analysis, and confirming traceability.

The Need for Test Management

• We need test management because it gives us a better image of keeping the whole process on track and coordinating the test activity.
• It allows us to fine-tune the testing process by supporting, communicating and analyzing data.
• It provides bug-free applications that meet the customer requirements of delivering the product within tight deadlines.

Effective Test Management Processes 

Modern software teams adopt an agile workflow in test management to keep the report on track and improve software testing. The advantages of using agile test management are continuous flexible testing and testing in sprints, helping testers to work more productively. This process reduces design-related flaws and increases collaboration between teams.

To make Agile more effective, we can follow the user stories/tasks with some simple statuses, asdipicted below

Process Flowchart

Challenges in Agile Test Management 

Communication 
Communication plays a significant role in software development and testing. One of the biggest challenges is communication between team members and the off-shore team.

Frequent Changes in Requirement

In most cases, clients’ needs remain unclear and may change frequently. Screenshots and wireframe documents will not be provided for reference.

Focusing on Scrum Velocity

The Scrum master focuses extensively on scrum velocity. For example, if a team had worked on ten story points in the previous sprint, the Scrum master expects 15 story points to be completed in the upcoming sprint. When it comes to the test phase, there is a limited timeline for completing the sprint.

Delivering Good Products Within Timelines

When there is no proper plan, design and execution, it is hard to deliver the product within the timeline.

Why Test Management Plays a Critical Role

Prioritizes testing

The test management tool makes identifying and focusing on risky areas simple. 

Reduces data duplication

When teams that work together fail to communicate, it results in data duplication. However, when it comes to testing management, we can review the tests that have been executed and the defects found, thus reducing data duplication.

Improves test coverage 

When manual tests are performed with a wide range of data sets, it becomes challenging to understand what is done and what is not done. The best way to use the test management solution is to keep you on track.