HP ALM - Introduction

Summary

This video introduces HP ALM (Application Lifecycle Management), formerly known as HP QC (Quality Center). It explains what test management is and how HP ALM helps manage various testing artifacts such as test cases, test data, and defects. The video also covers the evolution of HP ALM, its integration with both HP and third-party tools, and its client-server architecture. The target audience for HP ALM includes testers, developers, business analysts, project managers, and clients. The video concludes with a brief mention of upcoming practical videos to further explore HP ALM’s features.

Takeaways

• 😀 HP ALM (Application Lifecycle Management) was previously known as HP QC (Quality Center).
• 😀 HP ALM is a test management tool that helps manage testing-related activities, documents, and artifacts.
• 😀 Test management involves managing test cases, test data, test execution results, defects, graphs, reports, etc.
• 😀 HP ALM can integrate with other HP tools such as HP Unified Functional Testing, HP LoadRunner, and HP Sprinter.
• 😀 It also supports integration with third-party tools like IBM Rational ClearQuest, IBM Rational RequisitePro, and Microsoft Team Foundation Server.
• 😀 The tool can be used by different target audiences including testers, developers, business analysts, project managers, and clients.
• 😀 The evolution of HP ALM began as Test Director (1.5-2.0), then Mercury Quality Center (8.1-9.0), followed by HP QC (9.2-10.0), and finally, HP ALM (11.0-12.53).
• 😀 HP ALM operates on a client-server architecture with a server managing the database and a client machine for user access.
• 😀 The workflow in HP ALM typically includes release specifications, requirements specifications, test planning, test execution, and defect tracking.
• 😀 Future videos will dive into practical applications of HP ALM with concise, to-the-point demonstrations.

Q & A

What is HP ALM and what was it previously known as?

HP ALM stands for Application Lifecycle Management. It was previously known as HP Quality Center (HP QC).

What is test management in the context of HP ALM?

Test management refers to the activities, artifacts, or documents related to the testing process, such as test cases, test data, test execution results, defects, graphs, and reports. HP ALM is used to manage these artifacts.

Can HP ALM integrate with third-party tools?

Yes, HP ALM can integrate with third-party tools like IBM Rational ClearQuest, IBM Rational RequisitePro, and Microsoft Team Foundation Server, in addition to other HP tools.

Who are the target audiences for using HP ALM?

HP ALM can be used by various professionals such as testers, developers, business analysts, project managers, and clients. Each has different sections in the tool based on their needs.

What was the first version of HP ALM called?

The first version of HP ALM was called Test Director, which was in the version range from 1.5 to 2.0.

What was the evolution of HP ALM?

HP ALM evolved from Test Director (version 1.5 to 2.0), to Mercury Quality Center (version 8.1 to 9.0), then to HP QC (version 9.2 to 10.0), and finally to HP ALM (version 11.0 to 12.53).

What kind of architecture does HP ALM use?

HP ALM uses a client-server architecture. The server needs to be installed at a location, and clients can access it via login credentials over HTTP. A separate database server manages the data, including the site admin lab, project, and project repository.

What is the basic workflow for using HP ALM?

The workflow in HP ALM involves the following steps: release specifications, requirements specifications, test planning, test execution, and defect tracking.

What types of reports or documents can be managed using HP ALM?

HP ALM can manage documents related to test management, including test cases, test data, test execution results, defects, graphs, and reports.

What are the benefits of using HP ALM in software testing?

HP ALM provides a centralized platform to manage all aspects of software testing, including test planning, execution, defect tracking, and reporting. This integration helps streamline the testing process, improving efficiency and collaboration among different teams.