IBM Engineering Lifecycle Management vs. ZenTao

The software is robust enough to handle highly complex software development or other product development and can be used well beyond the range to do what a client needs. However, because of the inability to hold its users to proper best practices, things can get wildly out of hand and cascade over the years, creating unnecessary technical debt. The system has a lot of usable features, but they don't funnel users toward the correct processes and practices.

Incentivized

I am very glad about the working speed of this tool. The comfort and support it has provided us in project management are worth appreciating because Project management is a big deal and using ZenTao has made it easy and fun for us as we can as a team better collaborate. But some of its features need to be fixed.

• Open Services supporting Lifecycle Collaboration (OSLC).
• Required definition management and managed capabilities enabling.
• Rational DOORS Web Access for local on the test field presence.
• On-sites established reporting system.
• Approved linking requirements to test plans
• Engineering Requirements Management DOORS traces requirements thereby eliminates manually processes and spreadsheets, for improved productivity.
• Returns the investment efficiently.

Incentivized

• Story could be linked with product, sprint, test case, bug, which makes traceability so great.
• Test module, with test case, case library, test request, test report, very detailed.
• On-Premise available, the package is very small based on LAMPP
• SaaS version even cheaper without your own IT maintenance support.
• Price really affordable.
• API call is easy, so that we could do customizations.

• I feel like it is too heavy sometimes and updating is not very straight forward. For example, if I want to change an incident ticket (IN) to a service request (SR) and add some comment for the change, I have to first change the IN to SR, then click refresh which takes a few seconds, then add a comment. If I forget the refresh step, my comment will be discarded without warning like my ticket is not in the latest status. This also happens when somebody else changes the ticket during my edit as I can not lock the ticket exclusively.

Incentivized

• The function of ZenTao mobile version is a little weak.
• ZenTao users need to receive training before they start using the software, because for testers, the first use of the software may be a little complicated, and they cannot execute the same test case multiple times in the same test execution process.
• Although there are many reports built in. But if you want to get the data yourself，You have to know how to write SQL to customize your reports, which can a little bit challenging.

At the moment we are required by contract to continue to use the IBM DOORS software for our current client. Given that it can be expensive, if we were to use it after our current client's needs were met, we would have to secure other projects in order to justify the continued use of the software.

Incentivized

The UI is terrible and not intuitive. Users need training in order to complete tasks. Much like SAP, it's not the clearest tool. The tracing feature is especially complicated because you must write the scripts yourself. There is a learning curve. Also, even the setup, installation, and logging in each time takes a considerable amount of time.

Incentivized

It does a basic job and has the potential to complete some robust reporting tasks, however, it really is a clunky piece of software with a terrible user interface that makes using it routinely quite unpleasant. Many of our legacy and maintenance projects still use DOORS but our department and company use many alternatives and are looking for better tools.

Incentivized

No problems

Incentivized

It was easier to do all the change management-related activities, even configurations were handled very effectively. New process definitions and initiatives made it easier for better project deliverables. Effective resource allocations and better reporting and defect management. The overall cost of the tool is great too and well within budget.

Incentivized

ZenTao defines bugs, tasks, and stories separately, not just an ISSUE. I can oversee the development from creating a Product Backlog to releasing the increment. I can also collect and record product feedback from the client and share with my team.

• It's part of CLM suite so it can be used to manage the whole lifecycle with tight integration with development module (Rational Team Concert) and quality module (Rational Quality Manager).
• Comprehensive reports and dashboards provide better visibility.
• License cost is on higher side.

Incentivized

• We are delivering projects on time and can keep an eye on the progress of our projects.
• My team and I can better communicate on a project.
• As it is [in my experience], buggy it sometimes results in disturbing the whole working of our company.