The Test Lead's Desktop is accessed by typing in the following URL in a web browser:
http://<system_name_or_IP_address>/zephyr/desktop
Clicking on the Leads & Testers, the login dialog is displayed and the username/password is customized from the Resource Management application by the Test Manager, and is typically the firstname.lastname with the default password also being firstname.lastname. They must be assigned to a project in order to be able to login. The user is given an opportunity to change that password on their first login.
Once logged in, the Test Lead's Desktop has the following major areas:
The Title Bar of the desktop shows the Company/Department Name ("Cortex Software" in this example) and the System Name ("Test Department" in this example). These can be customized from the System Config tab of the Administration application by the Test Manager.
The name of the Project whose Desktop has been opened ("Project Ironclad") and the username of the person who has logged in ("mike.betts") are also shown. A quick Logout link lets the user logout of the session.
If the Test Lead has been assigned to other projects, the drop-down allows them to quick switch to those other project spaces.
Each of the Releases or Iterations show up as a tab in this desktop ("Version 1.0, Version 2.0" in this example). Clicking on them takes the user to that contextual space with all test assets for that particular Release or Iteration (e.g. test cases, assignments, execution, documents, metrics, dashboards etc.). These Releases or Iterations can be set up via the Release Setup application.
The left side of the Desktop has a tool dock that lists all the applications that are available to the Test Lead in this Release/Iteration. This entire tool dock can be slid to the left to make more room for application windows. It can be restored to its original just as easily.
Most applications windows are resizable and can be moved around anywhere in the desktop. Multiple applications can be opened simultaneously and users can switch between them by clicking on them. The application windows remember their sizes and positions on closing them.
The following applications are currently available:
This application allows the Lead to add and modify new Releases/Iterations
2. Requirements
This application allows the Lead to build out and manage their requirements repository by identifying the requirement areas, authoring or linking to them, importing and exporting requirements etc.
This application allows the Lead to build out their test repository by identifying the areas to test, assigning them to their resources, importing and exporting testcases etc.
4. Testcase EAS
This application allows the Lead to add and modify test execution cycles, phases and assignment of testcases to be executed in a calendar format
5. Project Dashboard Management
This application allows the Lead to add/edit information that will be displayed on the Project Dashboard
This application allows the Lead to search, view, add and modify defects. This application will not be displayed if "None" is chosen for the Defect Tracking System in the Administration application by the Test Manager
7. Documents
This application allows the Lead to upload or link various documents that are relevant to this particular Release/Iteration
8. Metrics
This application allows the Lead to view Release/Iteration level statistics and to turn them on/off as they show up in the Project Dashboard
This application allows the Lead to author new testcases, copy/move/link/import/modify testcases, view relevant documents etc.
This application allows the Lead to execute testcases assigned to themselves via the Testcase EAS application
The Collaboration Bar at the bottom of the screen displays messages coming in from the various team members. Messages float in and out of this bar and on clicking the bar, the Collaboration application opens that allows the Test Lead to engage in Broadcast, 1-on-1 or Project Level discussions. Clicking anywhere else in the desktop will dismiss this application.