Integrated Test Management With reqSuite® rm

Requirements and test management belong together

In modern product and software development, requirements management is a central component of quality assurance. It defines what a system should do, which functions are necessary and which framework conditions must be fulfilled. However, even the best requirements are of little use if it is not ensured that the developed solution actually fulfills them. This is where test management becomes important.

Test management encompasses all activities that are necessary to systematically check the quality of a product or software. This includes the definition of test cases, the execution of tests and the analysis of test results.

A common problem in many companies is that requirements management and test management are considered separately. Requirements are managed in one tool, while tests are documented in a separate solution. As a result, valuable information is lost and there is hardly any complete traceability between requirements and tests.

An integrated approach to requirements and test management ensures that each requirement is directly linked to suitable test cases. This ensures:

• All requirements are tested and nothing is overlooked.
• Tests can be systematically planned and executed.
• Changes to requirements automatically show the effects on tests so that specific adjustments can be made.

reqSuite® rm is a powerful solution that seamlessly integrates requirements management and test management - and thus significantly increases quality, efficiency and transparency in the development process.

‍

From requirements to test cases

A well-documented requirement does not guarantee error-free implementation. Only targeted tests can check whether a requirement has actually been fulfilled. The link between requirements and tests is made via test cases, which specifically check whether a function works as desired.

• Each requirement should have at least one associated test case to verify its implementation.
• Test cases are based directly on requirements, ensuring that all defined expectations are checked.
• If a requirement changes, the associated test cases must also be checked and adapted if necessary.

Without a direct link between requirements and tests, changes or errors can go unnoticed, leading to undetected problems in the product.

‍

Important test management concepts

Comprehensive test management requires a clear structure. The following four concepts help to systematically plan and carry out test activities.

1. Test cases

A test case describes a specific test execution, including the necessary prerequisites and expected results. It is used to check whether a specific requirement has been implemented correctly.

A test case typically contains:

• A clear description of the steps to be performed.
• Expected results for each test condition.
• References to the requirement being tested.

Practical example (e-bike): A test case for motor assistance at a certain speed may contain the following tests:

1. Rider pedals at 15 km/h → Expected result: the electric motor noticeably increases the pedaling force.
2. Rider rides without pedaling → Expected result: the motor stops providing assistance.

2. Test instances

A test instance is the actual execution of a test case within a test run. During the test instance, it is recorded whether the test was successful or whether errors occurred.

Important elements of a test instance:

• The test result (pass/fail).
• Date and time of execution.
• The observed misbehavior.

Practical example (e-bike): A tester performs the test instance “Motor assistance at 15 km/h” on March 18, 2025.
The result: Test failed because the motor does not respond.

3. Test runs

A test run is a collection of test instances that are carried out in a specific phase of development. It can be defined for specific releases, milestones or sprint cycles.

Objectives of a test run:

• Verification of a specific system version.
• Documentation of the test results.
• Identification of problems before a release.

Practical example (e-bike): The first functional prototype of the e-bike drive system is checked with regard to motor performance, battery consumption and sensor control.

4. Test plans

A test plan is a collection of logically related test cases. It is used to systematically organize tests and ensure that all relevant functions are checked.

Test plans contain:

• A list of all requirements to be tested.
• The associated test cases.
• The planned test runs.

Practical example (e-bike): A test plan for the e-bike motor system includes all test cases for power output, energy consumption and emergency shutdown.‍

‍

Test management with reqSuite® rm

With reqSuite® rm, requirements and tests can be managed in a single platform, ensuring direct traceability between specifications and test results. This enables efficient, transparent and error-free quality assurance, as every change or addition to requirements is automatically taken into account in test management.

Linking requirements and test cases

One of the greatest strengths of reqSuite® rm is the seamless connection between requirements and the associated test cases. Each requirement can be directly linked to one or more test cases, ensuring that all functional and non-functional requirements are systematically checked. If a requirement changes, it is automatically displayed which test cases are affected and need to be adapted. This ensures that tests are always up to date and guarantees seamless verification of product quality.

Automated creation of test cases

A special feature of reqSuite® rm is the automatic creation of test case proposals based on existing requirements. Using intelligent algorithms, the system analyzes the requirements and generates test cases that cover the respective specifications. This not only saves time, but also ensures that no requirements remain untested. This allows test managers to concentrate on optimizing the test strategy instead of having to create test cases manually.

Automated management of test plans and test runs

With reqSuite® rm, test cases can be converted into structured test plans to enable systematic and targeted test execution. These test plans serve as the basis for test runs in which specific test cases are executed and the results documented. Test execution is thus standardized and traceable, enabling test teams to work more efficiently and identify errors at an early stage.

Collaboration and transparency

Efficient test management requires close collaboration between requirements management, development and quality assurance. With reqSuite® rm, all relevant stakeholders have access to current test results and the status of requirements. This enables teams to communicate efficiently across departmental boundaries and work together to ensure that all requirements are met. At the same time, integrated change management ensures complete traceability so that every adjustment is documented and its impact on tests and requirements is immediately apparent.

Evaluation and quality control

To make informed decisions about product quality, reqSuite® rm provides comprehensive reports and dashboards that enable detailed analysis of test results. Companies can evaluate test results in real time, identify trends and derive measures to improve quality. Errors and weaknesses can thus be identified at an early stage before they lead to serious problems in production or at the end customer.‍

By combining these powerful functions, reqSuite® rm offers a holistic solution for integrated test management that helps companies to make their development processes more efficient and of higher quality.‍

‍

The next step

By integrating requirements management and test management with reqSuite® rm, test cases can be generated automatically, tests can be managed efficiently and test results can be evaluated systematically. This allows errors to be detected at an early stage, development processes to be optimized and product quality to be sustainably improved.

Arrange a free demo now and experience how reqSuite® rm seamlessly integrates your requirements and test management.