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Traceability Matrix

A Traceability Matrix is a document that links and maps project requirements to their corresponding test cases. It is used to ensure that every requirement is covered by at least one test case, and conversely, that every test case is linked to a valid requirement. This document is a critical tool for quality assurance teams to ensure that all project requirements are met and that the software is thoroughly tested.

The main purpose of a traceability matrix is to:

  • Verify Coverage: Ensure that no requirement has been missed during the testing phase.

  • Identify Gaps: Highlight any requirements that do not have a corresponding test case.

  • Streamline Maintenance: When a requirement changes, it is easy to identify which test cases need to be updated.

  • Prove Compliance: Demonstrate to stakeholders that all specified requirements have been tested.

    Example: A development team is building a new application with two key requirements for the login feature:

  • Requirement R1: The system must allow a user to log in with a valid email and password.

  • Requirement R2: The system must display an error message for invalid login attempts.

To ensure these requirements are fully tested, the quality assurance team would create a Traceability Matrix to link them to their test cases. The matrix would show that:

  • Requirement R1 is covered by Test Case TC-001 (Verify successful login).
  • Requirement R2 is covered by Test Case TC-002 (Verify failed login with incorrect password) and Test Case TC-003 (Verify failed login with incorrect username).

This simple matrix confirms that both requirements are being validated and provides a clear record of the testing effort.