Rational Quality Manager

Foundations

Rational Quality Manager (RQM)

IBM's web-based, collaborative test management solution for planning, constructing, and executing tests across the lifecycle.

Test Management

Organizing test planning, design, execution, and reporting so quality is managed systematically.

Collaborative Quality

RQM enables teams to collaborate on quality across roles and integrates with other tools in the lifecycle.

Traceability

Linking requirements, test cases, executions, and defects so coverage and impact are clear.

Planning

Test Plan

A document defining scope, objectives, schedule, and approach for testing an effort.

Test Objectives

The goals a test effort aims to achieve, guiding what to test and how.

Test Schedule

The plan for when testing activities occur, aligned with delivery.

Authoring

Test Case

A specification of inputs, steps, and expected results that verifies a piece of behavior.

Test Script

The detailed steps (manual or automated) executed to run a test case.

Test Suite

A collection of test cases grouped for execution together.

Reusable Test Artifacts

Test data, keywords, and shared steps that reduce duplication and ease maintenance.

Execution

Test Execution

Running test cases and recording pass/fail results and evidence.

Test Execution Record

A record capturing the result of running a test case in a specific configuration.

Test Environment / Configuration

The setup under which tests run, tracked so results are meaningful.

Manual vs. Automated

RQM supports both manual test execution and integration with automated tools like RFT.

Defects

Defect Tracking

Recording and managing defects found during testing through to resolution.

Linking Defects to Tests

Associating defects with the test cases that found them for traceability.

Reporting

Quality Dashboards

Visual summaries of test progress, coverage, and defects for decision-making.

Coverage

The extent to which requirements are verified by tests, tracked via traceability.

Quality Metrics

Measures like pass rate, defect trends, and coverage used to assess and manage quality.

Integration

Jazz Platform Integration

RQM integrates with requirements and change tools on the Jazz platform for end-to-end traceability.

Best Practices

Test Management Best Practices

Clear plans, traceable test cases, consistent execution records, and quality reporting for reliable results.