The workbook, tab by tab
The tracker has nine tabs. Testers only ever type in two of them (Test Runs and Defects) and read one (My Work). The lead uses the rest.
| Tab | Who | What for |
|---|---|---|
| README | everyone | A one-page version of this guide inside the file, plus the legends |
| Test Runs | testers type | One row per step — the result, environment, notes, defect ID |
| My Work | testers read | Your own steps, filtered and colour-coded |
| Dashboard | lead reads | Totals, percentages, hygiene counters, breakdowns |
| Defects | testers and lead type | One row per distinct bug |
| Testers | lead | Who is who, their devices and builds |
| Environments | lead | The exact builds under test |
| Suites | lead | Reference list of the 39 suites |
| Round Log | lead | One row per round, with criteria and sign-off |
README​
A one-page version of this guide inside the file, plus the legends. Read it once; come back when you forget a status meaning.
Test Runs (testers type here)​
One row per step, 556 rows for R1. The columns, left to right:
| Column | What it holds | Who fills it |
|---|---|---|
| Run ID | TR-0001 and so on. A unique label for this row, used when a later round retests it. | Pre-filled |
| Round | R1, R2… which round this row belongs to. | Pre-filled |
| Suite, Module, Section, Step ID | Where the step sits. Filter on these to work through one suite. | Pre-filled |
| Tier | Smoke, Core or Extended. Do Smoke first. | Pre-filled, lead may change |
| What to do / Expected result | The step itself, copied from the checklist. | Pre-filled |
| Roles | Every role the checklist says could cover the step. Reference only. | Pre-filled |
| Assigned To | The one person responsible. Turns red if empty. | Lead |
| Environment | The build you used, from the dropdown. Web steps are pre-filled with ENV-WEB; mobile and desktop steps are blank until you pick. Turns amber if you record a result without one. | Tester |
| Status | The result, from the dropdown. Colours the whole row. | Tester |
| Result Notes | Anything worth knowing: what you actually saw, why you skipped, what blocked you. | Tester |
| Defect ID | The DEF number that explains a Fail. Turns red while a Fail has none. | Tester |
| Evidence Link | Link to a screenshot or recording. | Tester |
| Tested On / Duration (min) | The date, and roughly how long the step took. Duration helps plan Round 2. | Tester |
| Retest Of | For Round 2 rows: the Run ID of the R1 row being repeated. | Lead |
There is also a hidden helper column (T) that makes the My Work tab work. Leave it alone.
If a step no longer applies, set its Status to Obsolete. Deleting a row breaks the counts and loses the history.
My Work (testers read here)​
Pick your tester ID in cell B1 and the round in E1. The tab lists your steps in order, colour-coded, with counters for done, failed, blocked and Smoke steps still to run.
It is read-only by design. To record a result, go to Test Runs, filter the Assigned To column by your ID, and set Status there.
Dashboard (lead reads here)​
Pick a round in B1 (or ALL). Everything below follows that choice: totals and percentages, defects and blockers open, the retest queue, three hygiene counters that should read zero, then breakdowns by tier, module and tester, and open defects by severity. Nothing on this tab is typed.
The three hygiene counters:
- Fails without a Defect ID
- Unassigned steps
- Touched steps with no Environment
Defects (testers and lead type here)​
One row per distinct bug. Reporting a bug explains how to fill it in. The example row at the top shows the expected shape; delete it once a real defect exists.
Testers, Environments, Suites, Round Log (lead)​
- Testers records who is who, their device, OS, browser and build, time zone and availability, and whether they are onboarded. Columns N to P count each person's load for the Dashboard round.
- Environments lists the exact builds under test. Add a row for each new build and set old ones to Retired rather than deleting.
- Suites is the reference list of the 39 suites.
- Round Log holds one row per round with dates, criteria and sign-off; its Steps Executed, Pass Rate and Blockers columns calculate themselves.