What is a 'test harness' used for?

A test harness is a crucial tool in software development and quality assurance, specifically designed to enable automated testing of a component or system. The primary function of a test harness is to facilitate the execution of test cases, verify that the software behaves as expected, and produce outcomes that testers can review. This involves setting up the necessary environment, executing tests, and collecting results, which makes the process much more efficient and less prone to human error compared to manual testing.

In the context of software testing, utilizing a test harness can significantly speed up the testing process, improve testing coverage, and ensure that various components work together seamlessly. Furthermore, it allows for the execution of repetitive tests during different stages of the development lifecycle without requiring extensive manual intervention.

The other options focus on aspects of project management, bug tracking, and team performance, which are important but not directly related to the primary purpose of a test harness in the realm of automated testing.