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Traceability reports

Types of traceability reports

Forward Traceability

The forward traceability matrix tracks the progress and traceability from Requirements to Defects. Forward traceability displays a full traceability report by using the following pattern:

Requirements → Tests → Executions → Defects

When you select the forward traceability report type, the table is automatically updated to show the issues in accordance with the selected traceability matrix.

note

Forward traceability is used by default.

Forward traceability is used by default.

Backward Traceability

The backward traceability matrix tracks the progress and traceability from Defects to Requirements, that is, the following pattern is used:

Defects → Executions → Tests → Requirements

When you select the backward traceability report type, the table is automatically updated to show the issues in accordance with the selected traceability matrix.

Traceability matrix filters

The traceability matrix has multiple filters that can be used to narrow your search. The filters include primary and secondary filters.

note

The traceability matrix table is sorted based on the Issue ID, and only the first column can be sorted.

The traceability matrix table is sorted based on the Issue ID, and only the first column can be sorted.

Primary filters

Primary filters are the upper row of drop down lists you use to filter the issues displayed in the traceability matrix table. The filters include both Jira and Zephyr filters:

note

The Zephyr filters will include the issues and relationships for what you select as well as issues that are not applicable to any of the existing filters.

We strongly recommend you to set up your relationships and links properly for your issues regarding the relationship between your requirements, tests, test executions, and defects. This will greatly improve your traceability matrix reporting.

The Zephyr filters will include the issues and relationships for what you select as well as issues that are not applicable to any of the existing filters.

We strongly recommend you to set up your relationships and links properly for your issues regarding the relationship between your requirements, tests, test executions, and defects. This will greatly improve your traceability matrix reporting.

Secondary Filters

Secondary filters are the second row of options used to filter the issues displayed in the traceability matrix table. The secondary filters relate to either requirements or test executions. Below is a list of the secondary filters:

note

You can have only one secondary filter selected at a time. You can use secondary filters only if forward traceability is used.

You can have only one secondary filter selected at a time. You can use secondary filters only if forward traceability is used.

Create and export traceability reports

To view a traceability report, click Traceability Matrix in the panel on the left - the Traceability Matrix page containing the report will open:

To create a forward traceability report:

1. Navigate to the Traceability Matrix page by clicking Traceability Matrix in the panel on the left:

2. Click Report Type, and then select Forward Traceability:

3. Use the primary and secondary filters to narrow your traceability matrix to include exactly what you want:

note

You can have only one secondary filter selected at a time. You can use secondary filters only if forward traceability is used.

You can have only one secondary filter selected at a time. You can use secondary filters only if forward traceability is used.

4. Selecting filters automatically updates the contents of the traceability matrix report. The report reflects the traceability matrix information for the selected filters and report type.

In the example below, we selected Story for the Requirement Type primary filter to show only stories and traceability for the corresponding stories:

To create a backward traceability report:

1. Navigate to the Traceability Matrix page by clicking Traceability Matrix in the panel on the left:

2. Click Report Type, and then select Backward Traceability:

3. Use the primary and secondary filters to narrow your traceability matrix to include exactly what you want:

note

You can have only one secondary filter selected at a time. You can use the secondary filters only if forward traceability is used.

You can have only one secondary filter selected at a time. You can use the secondary filters only if forward traceability is used.

4. Selecting filters automatically updates the contents of the traceability matrix report. The report reflects the traceability matrix information for the selected filters and report type.

In the example below, we selected Bug for the Requirement Type primary filter to show only bugs and traceability for the corresponding bugs:

To export your traceability report:

1. Click Export in the top-right corner of the window:

2. Click Export Excel to download an Excel file containing your traceability report:

The downloaded Excel file has four columns:

If you have a forward traceability report, the column order is the following:

  1. Requirements,

  2. Tests

  3. Executions

  4. Defects.

Backwards traceability reports have the following column order:

  1. Defects

  2. Executions

  3. Tests

  4. Requirements.