Traceability Matrix :

Traceability Matrix: A document showing the relationship between Test Requirements and Test Cases. From Traceability Matrix, we can check that which requirements are covered in which test cases and "particular test case covers which requirements" In this matrix, we can also cover that a particular requirement is covered in which section of code etc.

In this matrix, the rows will have the requirements. For every document {HLD, LLD etc}, there will be a separate column. So, in every cell, we need to state, what section in HLD addresses a particular requirement. Ideally, if every requirement is addressed in every single document, all the individual cells must have valid section ids or names filled in. Then we know that every requirement is addressed. In case of any missing of requirement, we need to go back to the document and correct it, so that it addressed the requirement.

In a nutshell, requirements traceability is the process of ensuring that one or more test cases address each requirement.


Example of a Traceability Matrix document:

Req ID          Req Description           TC001          TC002         TC003

R1.1                  ………                     Yes                                  Yes

R1.2                  ………                      Yes

R2.1                   …….                                           Yes

Above table shows –

Requirement R1.1 is covered in TC001 and TC003.

R1.2 is covered in TC001.

R2.1 is covered in TC002

Above table also provides the test coverage. From Traceability Matrix document, we can ensure that all the requirements are addressed in the test cases.