Workflow Overview

TestTrack Pro's workflow consists of states, events, and transitions that define the path an issue follows throughout its lifecycle. Item link definitions and automation rules can also control the workflow. TestTrack Pro's workflow engine is extremely powerful, flexible, and completely customizable.

Know the State of Every Issue

The state of every issue is clearly visible in the issue list views...

...while the complete event history is front-and-center when you view an issue's details.

Configuring Workflows

You have complete control over TestTrack Pro's workflow. Define issue states, the events that can occur to change the states, the transition rules that govern how an issue changes state for each event, and the user assignment rules.

States

TestTrack Pro states indicate a step in the workflow. For example, Active - Task, Failed Verification, or Closed.

You can define an unlimited number of states for your process. TestTrack Pro also lets you set an attribute with each state that determines whether it is in process (Open) or at the end of a process (Closed).

Events

In TestTrack Pro, events specify the action that can be performed at each state or step in the workflow. For example, Assign, Estimate, or Verify. Workflow events are stored with the issue record history.

TestTrack Pro gives you full configurability of events, including their resulting state, assignment options, time tracking options, file attachment options, custom fields, custom icons for the user interface, and field label names.

State Transitions

TestTrack Pro's workflow transitions specify the initial state when a defect is created and the events that can be added for each state. Transitions move records from one state to another. For example, Open to Fixed or Fixed to Closed.

When configuring workflow transition rules, TestTrack Pro's handy grid interface simplifies the task. You can also validate and diagram the workflow at any point in the configuration process.

Flexible Assignment Rules

TestTrack Pro's workflow engine lets you set rules to manage assigning issues to one or more users depending on the state of the issue. A few examples of this flexibility include:

Verifying Bug Fixes

Anyone on the quality assurance team can verify and close a bug fix. The first person to verify the fix moves it to the closed state.

Reviewing Design Documents

All stakeholders on the distribution list must mark the design document as reviewed before it moves to the next state.

Fixing Defects

Only the assigned developer can fix the defect and move it to the verification state.

TestTrack Pro easily handles these and more complex assignment rules. Assignment rules specify how state assignment events are processed, letting you restrict which users can enter an event, specify multi-user assignment options, and change the rules order.

 

Automation Using Triggers

TestTrack Pro triggers provide a powerful way to automate and enforce your processes without the need to write code. Triggers automatically perform actions based on issue activities. Common actions you can automate with triggers include:

• Automatically assigning records based on workflow state
• Automatically assigning records based on a field value
• Preventing users from saving a record without screen shots if the bug is tagged Cosmetic
• Prepending a record summary with information based on a field selection
• Sending record information to an external reporting system

Triggers are completely defined within TestTrack Pro, making them easy to implement. To create a trigger, define a precondition the issue must satisfy (a TestTrack Pro filter), the event that initiates the trigger (e.g., a record was modified), and an action to perform (e.g., send an email notification or modify a field).

 

Escalate Important Issues

TestTrack Pro's escalation rules let you define actions to perform on issues after a specific period of time has passed. While triggers execute on an event, escalation rules can execute when a desired event does not happen. Common actions you can automate with escalation rules include:

• Raising the priority of defects after a period of inactivity
• Automatically re-assigning defects that have not been modified within a time frame
• Emailing testers about aged verify assignments
• Sending aged defect information to an external reporting system

Time-based escalation rules are defined by their precondition (a TestTrack Pro filter), an activity schedule, and actions to perform. TestTrack Pro escalation rules can send emails, modify data, enter events, or run external applications.

Workflow Examples

TestTrack Pro sample workflows for you to use and customize.

Development		The default workflow demonstrates how a simple process of assigning, fixing, verifying, and closing defects.
Compliance		This workflow demonstrates compliance features, most often used by the following industries: pharmaceutical, medical, life sciences, health care, financial, military, and organizations that use Sarbanes-Oxley, FDA 21CFR11, ITIL, or other rigorous quality control processes.
Financial Services		This workflow demonstrates the defect tracking and test case management features commonly used by financial services companies.
Workflow and Automation Rules		This workflow demonstrates how automation rules can simplify and enforce complex workflow processes.