Which of the following is a benefit of traceability in test management?

A key benefit of traceability in test management is that it ensures each requirement has associated tests. This process creates a direct link between requirements and the corresponding tests that verify whether they are met. By maintaining this traceability, organizations can confirm that all requirements are covered by tests, which is crucial for validating that the software behaves as intended and meets the stakeholders' needs.

Traceability also facilitates impact analysis when requirements change, as it allows testers and project managers to quickly identify which tests need to be updated or created. This linkage supports comprehensive testing, ensuring no critical requirements are overlooked and ultimately contributes to higher quality software products.

The other options highlight potential benefits or outcomes relevant to test management but do not directly define the core concept of traceability. For example, while traceability may enhance team communication and reduce testing complexity indirectly, these are not its primary functions. Similarly, automating the testing process is separate from the principle of ensuring requirements have corresponding tests. Hence, the focus on linking requirements to tests is what makes it a fundamental aspect of effective test management.