Test Management with TestLink

TestLink is a great open-source tool to manage test cases. It helps to organize all the testcases, version control and the testing process. It can be integrated with any bugtracking tool (mantis, bugzilla… etc). Also, TestLink can be use to see if all requirements are covered with testcases. and it provides varies kind of test reports too. Before working with TestLink, let’s have some knowledge about the test case.

What is in a test case?

Testcase describes action and reaction of a feature in a software product. In one hand, test case document can be use as a breakdown of requirement document. On the other hand, it can be use to estimate testing effort. Testcase document contains these fields.
Test Case ID, Test Case Title, Test Case Summary, Precondition, Step actions, Expected Result, Actual Result, Inputs, Status(Pass/Fail)

This is a template of a test case document.

Install TestLink

Just like Mantis, You can install TestLink with five easy steps (in a windows server). For more details, Check the installation manual locate at <testlinkfolder>\docs\testlink_installation_manual.pdf.

1) Install xampp or wamp (apache, mysql, PHP package) -http://www.wampserver.com/en/

2) Download the latest stable version of TestLink - http://sourceforge.net/projects/testlink/files/

      3) Extract mantis to wamp project location (example - C:\wamp\www\)

4) In config.inc.php  file, change

                        log directory ($tlCfg->log_path) edit the path to C:\wamp\www\testlink\logs

                        upload directory ($g_repositoryPath) to C:\wamp\www\testlink\upload_area

5) Browse the project from your web browser (example -http://<ip>/Testlink) and follow the installation instructions.

Note : Default credentials to login testlink are, user: admin; password: admin

Excel to TestLink

Now, the most important part! Before you start working with TestLink, I recommend you to create a test case document in a excel sheet. Have a look at my sample test case document – (click here to download). Your testcase document need to be exactly same format.

Important! – Look at the steps and expected result numbering system. Don’t use 1) 2) ... instead of 1. 2. ...  that will cause errors.

TestLink only understand XML format of the testcase document. So, now you need a tool to convert your excel testcase document to XML format. Click here to download the XMLConverter. Double click the “Exceml.exe” file inside the “XMLConvert\Debug” folder. Browse and locate the excel testcase document and “Convert to Xml”. You will find the converted file inside “Xml” folder. Now you are ready to upload testcases to TestLink.

Work with TestLink

1. Create a Project – First you need to create a project. Go to the “Test Project Management” section to create a project. 
   


2. Select the Project – Make sure you are currently selecting the correct project. 
   


3. Create Test Plan – Use “Test Plan Management” to create a test plan.
   


4. Create a Test Build/Release - Specify the Build of the Project you are going to test.
   


5. Import Test Cases for the project. - Now you need to import your testcase XML file from test specification. 
   


6. Add test cases to the Test Plan – In "Test Plan Content" section, click “Add / Remove Test Cases” to add selected testcases to the test plan. 
   


7. Assign Test Cases to Test Engineers. 
   


8. Test case execution. 
   


9. See Reports and Charts. 
   

Tip: You can integrate TestLink with your bug tracking tool. Click “Issue Tracker Management“ under “system” and set configurations. Make sure to assign and activate the bug tracker when you creating projects.