AUTOMATED TEST FAILURE TROUBLESHOOTER

A test controller performs a test of a test-target component of a test-target system so as to generate at least one fail event indicating a possible fault in the test-target component. A trouble-shooting and analysis tool probes the test controller and/or hardware of the test-target system to investigate potential causes of the fail event other than a fault of said software component. The trouble-shooting and analysis tool then analyzes fail data including probe data to evaluate potential causes of the fail event.