What is Requirement Traceability Matrix (RTM)? Example Template

Requirement Traceability Matrix (RTM) Meaning: When you have attended for an interview, then that time, you face a question regarding what is requirement traceability matrix? So in this post, we are going to discuss the requirement traceability matrix briefly in detail and also about how you can create a requirement traceability matrix.

What is the Traceability matrix?

Traceability matrix is a document or artifacts that co-relates any two based lined documents having a many-to-many relationship and also helps to check the completeness of the relationship. By this document, the client can easily find out or track their requirements and also can validate that it covers the entire project requirement are met.

What is the Requirement Traceability Matrix?

Requirement traceability matrix ( RTM in testing ) is a high-level document which map and trace user requirement with test cases to ensure that for each and every requirement adequate level of testing is being achieved. The main purpose of the requirement traceability matrix is to see that all test cases are covered and confirm that no functionality is missed during testing the application. It also helps to identify coverage gaps. From this document, we can also get a clear idea about the number of test cases are run, passed, failed, and blocked, etc. for the requirement.

Check Master Plan Vs. Test Plan

RTM helps us in linking various artefacts like BRD, test cases, and defects accurately. As a parallel, we are going to work with various documents, so in that case, with the help of RTM, we can easily track everything. Also, it assures a good quality product as all the feature of that application is tested.

Types of Traceability matrix:

The traceability matrix is mainly divided into three types:

• Forward traceability: as the name, we can think about what it is used to ensure that the project progress in the forward direction, and we are building the right product as per the BRD. It also ensures that the product is developed and even tested thoroughly. It creates a map between the requirement document and test cases.
• Backward traceability: the main purpose of this is to ensure that we are developing the product on the right track and also helps to find out that no extra and unspecified functionality is added to the project. Because of that, the scope of the project is affected.
• Bi-directional Traceability: this is called bi-directional traceability because here, the mapping is done between requirement and test cases and vice versa. It ensures that all test cases can be traced to requirements, and for every requirement, you have specified valid and accurate test cases.

Advantages of RTM

• From the document, we can find out the % of test coverage. So, it helps to get 100% test coverage.
• It also helps us to find the missed functionality of the product easily.
• When some requirement changes happen than from the requirement traceability matrix, we find out easily that which test cases need to be updated.
• As we track the execution status of the test cases, so it also helps us to find out the test execution status.

Traceability Matrix Template: For creating the template some organization is used MS Excel and some organization is using some paid tools where you can able to write test cases and based on that it will automatically create Requirement Traceability Matrix (RTM) for you. Here is some such type of tool is qTest by using this tool, you can able to add test cases, prepare test plans, and also, based on the test cases, you can directly create the Requirement Traceability Matrix (RTM).

Conclusion

In this post of softwaretestingo, we are trying to discuss the requirement traceability matrix (RTM) briefly. If you are using RTM in your organization, then why don’t you share your inputs in the comment section so that it will help our QA friends.