Microsoft Test Manager–configurations

 

I’ve been asked about the managing of test configurations. In the sample below I have two test configurations set up as I add test cases they are automatically assigned both test configurations.

You can have multiple test configurations set to be the default. Which means all test cases are assigned these default configurations.

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When I click on a Test Case then the icon Configurations I can override the default and remove one or both configurations from the selected test case.

You can select all your test cases in a test suite (using the std Microsoft selection hotkey) and then click Configurations to update a bunch at once.

I just added a new configuration named My Added Configuration. When I select the test case and click Configurations the Select Test Configurations opens. I then have to click All configurations and my view looks like display below:

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If you do not click All configurations you will not see the newly added configuration(s). It’s a trick I know why not just show them all. Hey, were tester’s we should be enjoying the challenge!

Hope this help ..

Testa Smile

Why Software Fails - your not using TFS2010 & Test Manager?

A colleague emailed asking if anyone had seen this article. It was written in 2005 and is very enlightening to read even today. I thought I’d post it for people to read. Click here Why Software Fails

As outlined in the article here are the most common factors:

  • Unrealistic or unarticulated project goals

  • Inaccurate estimates of needed resources

  • Badly defined system requirements

  • Poor reporting of the project's status

  • Unmanaged risks

  • Poor communication among customers, developers, and users

  • Use of immature technology

  • Inability to handle the project's complexity

  • Sloppy development practices

  • Poor project management

  • Stakeholder politics

  • Commercial pressures

Has this changed, in my opinion not enough yet. As a strong advocate of Agile and a user of Microsoft TFS2010 and Test Manger - the communications is available we just need to get better at it and share the responsibilities as a team.

Testa Smile

Microsoft Test Manager - Feature Pack 2 is available

Feature Pack 2 is now available and includes the following: Click to Download 

  • Codes UI Test [CUIT] Editor

      • new CUIT Editor, opens by selecting the UIMap.uitest in Solution Explorer

      • click here to see Editor

  • LightSwitch applications [Microsoft]

        • tested and works well with LightSwitch applications

    • Microsoft VS 2010 Test Package for Silverlight 4
        • test Silverlight apps and other desktop applications

        • enables testing with Coded UI tests and record, playback in Microsoft Test Runner

        • data and diagnostics can be collected during runtime however, Intellitrace logs are not as of yet

        • tested to work with Silverlight 4.0 apps hosted in IE (adding Silverlight apps in future)

        • Note: read the “about” for restrictions

    • Microsoft VS2010 Test Package for Mozilla FireFox

        • enables playback and UI actions for Firefox 3.5 and above
        • enables testing with Coded UI tests (CUIT), automated Web Performance and Manual fast-forward tools
        • you can create a set of tests once and execute on both IE and Firefox from Microsoft Test Runner

    You need to download KB2403277 which can be done before installing or during the installation process of Service Pack 2.

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    Click to Download 

    Testa Smile

    Microsoft Test Manager– Test Plan shortcuts

    Quick access to Test Plans using the “Copy URL for plan” option in the Testing Center window.

    Steps:

    1. 1. Open Test Manager
    2. 2. Open the TFS Team Project that your Test Plan resides in
    3. 3. Highlight the Test Plan by selecting that you want to create a shortcut for
    4. 4. Click on the Copy URL for plan icon in the toolbar menu (see below)

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    (Note: when you click the “Copy URL for plan” icon the URL address to the plan is stored on your clipboard)

    5. Next, go to your desktop and right click, select New then select Shortcut

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    6. The Create Shortcut window opens, paste the URL from the clipboard, using either Ctrl-V or right-click Paste, now click the next button.

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    7. Create Shortcut window opens where you enter a name for your shortcut. Make sure you are entering the actual Test Plan name or using a naming convention that allows you to easily identify the shortcut. Click Finish. (Notice a name by default is given: “New Internet Shortcut” if you miss entering your own)

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    8. The short cut is created and looks like below, when you click on it the Test Plan opens.

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    TestaSmile

    TesTrek 2010 – Effectively Managing the Testing Process through Collaboration

    Dave Lloyd & I did a workshop at TesTrek today. What a great group of people, lots of interaction, and no one left early, thanks everyone. If your interested in learning more about Microsoft Visual Studio and ALM's contact ObjectSharp. Tell them you were at TesTrek with us.

    You can download our PowerPoint presentation here.

    thanks everyone,

    Testa

    Microsoft Test Manager – hot fix available

    On Oct. 12th Microsoft has published a hot fix for issues that were causing Test Manager to crash and memory leaks that caused data and productivity loss. After downloading the hot fix I noticed that in the Test Case iterations section that are new buttons and bugs fixed. See what I’ve found so far below:

    1. You can now delete test case iterations without crashing MTM. And working with data in the iterations seems smoother.

    2. You will now have a “Remove parameter” button which allows you to remove a parameter from you iterations and/or test steps.

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    3. You will also have a “Rename parameter” button which allows you to rename a parameter in your test case iterations and/or shared steps.

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    4. Last you will have a “Delete parameter” button which allows you to delete a parameter in your test case iterations and/or shared steps. Deletions with this button only removes the @ sign from the parameter in the steps. You can still highlight the parameter in the step and click the delete button on your keyboard, this removes all instances of the parameter in your test case.

    Note: shared step parameters display in associated test cases however, you can only Rename, Remove or Delete parameters from within the shared step itself. At the moment you are able to select the shared step parameter and proceed with selecting the test case remove, delete or rename button and proceed again as if executing the button feature right to the end. The action does not actually work!

    Note: the issue with deleting a parameter in a shared step and the associated test cases not being updated still exists. This hot fix does not include a fix for this.

    Click this link: hot fix KB2387011  to download.

    Microsoft Test Manager – Video Recordings

    Did you know that you have the option of either saving all Video Recording or just saving when you create a bug?

    Check the Video Recorder configuration button and set up when you want to save recording plus the quality of the video.

    The default is set to save all video recording.

    MTM Video Recorder

    Testa

    Test Manager & VS2010 automation playback in FireFox

    Microsoft has released a plug-in for Mozilla FireFox that allows you to record a action recording, a coded UI or web test in Internet Explorer 7 or 8 and play the same test back against FireFox. The current plug-in supports FireFox 3.5 and 3.6. The plug-in can be downloaded and installed on top of an existing 2010 install.

    Download here: Test Package for Mozilla FireFox Power Tool

    Note: after you download read the ReadMe file there is some configuration setup required before you can use this tool.

     

    Testa

    TesTrek 2010 in Toronto this October.

    TesTrek in Toronto is coming this October check out the website at this link for more information.

    Dave Lloyd and I are doing a workshop on October 20th at 11:00am - 12:30am

    Effectively Managing the Testing Process through Collaboration
    Debra Forsyth and Dave Lloyd,
    Object Sharp Consulting

    Communications is the key to the success or failure of any team, whether it’s a sports team or a software development team creating the next app. Without communication, the team members have no idea how best to direct their efforts. With communication, the team can overcome almost any challenge. Unfortunately, ensuring that the level of collaboration required in generating success can be a difficult goal to achieve. Solid development managers have a bag of tricks that they utilize to foster communications among the different roles. In this session, you will learn some of the tricks that can be used in your own environment to create better communications across all of the team roles.

      • How can the other team roles more effectively communicate with the testing team?
      • What does the test team need to know to complete the testing effort?

    Special 15% Promotion Discount to TesTrek:

    To receive a special 15% speaker promotion discount, please contact Darrin Crittington and give the special promotion code of ‘Spkpromo2010’ along with our names either by emailing dcrittington@qaiworldwide.org or calling 1-866-724-6013.

    Testa

    Microsoft Test Manager: How to manage test case/test configuration assignments …

    In my last blog there where questions about how to assign or unassigned  test cases to test configurations (browsers, operating systems).

    How to manage test case/test configuration assignment:

      • In the Plan Tab select a test suite then test case.
      • In the Test Suite panel toolbar click on the Configurations button.
      • The Select Test Configurations window opens where you can add and remove test configurations associated to a test case.
      • Simply click button All configurations, all test configurations you have created are added to the test case.
      • Next click in the test configuration cell to add or remove.
      • Last, click the Apply Changes button.

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    Whether you add test configurations before or after setting up Test Suites and Test Cases you can manage test case assignment by using the Test Suite | Test Case, Configurations button.

    Note: Test Suite/Test Cases are automatically assigned to all test configurations created prior to there own existence.However, if you create additional test configurations after creating Test Suites/Test Cases they are not automatically assigned. In this case you can assign using the above steps.

    Thanks to Jeff Levinson (Team System, MVP) for helping out with this question.

    Testa