Generating test cases from requirements

If you work with test cases in Helix ALM, you can generate test cases from approved requirements. Testers can use these test cases validate that each requirement is implemented correctly. Requirement information is added to the following test case fields by default:

  • Summary—Includes requirement summary prepended with the requirement number.
  • Files tab—Includes requirement file attachments and source file attachments.
  • Detail tab—Requirement custom fields are copied if a test case field with the same field name and type exists.
Depending on the project configuration, additional information may be copied from the requirement. See Configuring item mapping rules.

When you create a test case from a requirement, you can create a link between the items. This is recommended because it can help you verify that each requirement has adequate test coverage, view relationships between related requirements and test cases, and analyze the impact of requirement changes on related test cases.

It may take several minutes to generate test cases from multiple requirements.

1. Select the requirements to generate test cases from in the Requirements list window or in a document.

The requirements must be in a state that allows generating test cases. For example, test cases can only be generated from requirements in the Approved or Implemented states in the default requirements workflow.

2. Choose Activities > Generate Test Cases.

The Generate Test Cases dialog box opens.

Depending on your security permissions, you may be prompted to generate test cases without selecting folder or link options. Click Generate to generate the test cases.

3. Select an option for adding test cases to folders to group them with related items. For example, you may want to add test cases to test case suites or other folders based on functional area or type. You must create the folders before generating test cases. See Adding folders.

  • Do not add a folder does not add the test cases to a folder.
  • Add to the selected folder adds the test cases to the selected folder. Click Browse to select a folder.

4. Select an option for linking test cases to the requirements.

  • Do not link does not link the test cases to the requirements.
  • Use the following link definition links the test cases to the requirements using the selected Definition and Comment.

5. Click Generate.

The test cases are created. If you generated a test case from one requirement, it opens. If you generated test cases from multiple requirements, go to the Test Cases list window to find and work with them. See Using the Test Cases list window.

6. Make any changes to the test case. See Editing test cases.

You can view linked requirements and test cases on the Links or Traceability tab when viewing or editing items. See Viewing link information. You can also analyze traceability to view relationships between items. See Analyzing item traceability.