IBM Rational ClearQuest
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Rational ClearQuest is a workflow automation tool (in particular bug tracking system) from the Rational Software division of IBM. The tool can be linked to Microsoft Project to create ordered steps for resources assigned to specific goals.
The product was originally designed for tracking defects (bugs) in software development projects. In addition to its capabilities to track bugs ClearQuest allows organizations to organize tasks related to new features.
ClearQuest is also available in a web version, which alleviates the heavy requirements of the full client version. The web version offers all the functionality of the full version except for the ability to create reports. As of version 7, the full client is available in a traditional Java based stand alone version, however this version is being phased out in favor of the Eclipse (software) based version, which offers some degree of performance improvement.
Designed to be used with other Rational Software testing tools, such as Rational Performance Tester, Rational Functional Tester and Rational Manual Tester, ClearQuest also provides a robust environment for software quality assurance.
ClearQuest has been criticized for its large resource footprint, sluggish performance, and sub-par usability and design. ClearQuest is redeeming in its integrations with ClearCase but many complain of its lackluster integrations with other products, namely Visual Studio. Rational Software continues to refine the user interface of ClearQuest, making gradual and steady progress.
ClearQuest also integrates well with Rational ClearCase/UCM revision control system. This allows to correlate source code change sets with ClearQuest records (i.e. bugs), simplifying some aspects of bug tracking and source code management.
