A comprehensive test plan tutorial that covers what a test plan is, its importance, how to write a test plan, its attributes, and more.
A test plan is a precious written document that describes the testing strategy for a software or hardware project. It is a document that outlines the scope of testing, the resources needed, the test environment, and the test cases that will be executed. Its purpose is to ensure that the testing process is thorough and complete and that all necessary tests are conducted systematically and coordinated.
It acts as a detailed document to ensure the proper working of the software. The output from the testing phase is directly related to the quality of planning that went into it. These testing plans are usually developed during the development phase to save time for executing tests and reaching a mutual agreement with all the parties involved.
Although software testing is a foundational concept in software development, the idea of taking time to create software testing plans are often minimized or ignored altogether. This is unfortunate because these can significantly benefit all projects regardless of the life cycle.What Is a Test Plan?
An agile test plan is a blueprint that defines software areas and activities. It describes the scope and approach of testing activities and the overall management and control of testing. It acts as a reference point among the QA team for how the testing activities need to be carried out.
It is the most important activity in ensuring that software testing is done according to plan. It acts as the go-to template for conducting software testing activities that are fully monitored and controlled by the testing manager. Developing a test plan involves the contribution of the test lead, the test manager, and the test engineer.
Along with identifying the objectives and scope of the software testing process, it specifies the methods to resolve any risks or errors. It also helps determine whether a product meets the expected quality standards before deployment.Test Plan Examples
Developing a test plan is an essential step in the software testing process. It is a document that outlines the strategy, approach, resources, and schedule for testing a software application. A well-written product test plan helps ensure that the software is thoroughly tested, meets the requirements, and is free of defects. It should be developed early in the software development process to incorporate testing into the overall development schedule. These application test plans must be reviewed and approved by the key stakeholders before testing begins.
To develop a test plan, you need to follow some steps in testing process. Here is a test plan example for a hypothetical software application:
Introduction:
This testing plan is for the Web Application XYZ, version 1.0. The objective of this testing is to ensure that the web application meets the requirements and is free of defects.
Test Items:
Web Application: XYZ, version 1.0
Build Number: 101
Features to be tested:
User login and registration
User profile management
Search and filtering functionality
Shopping cart and checkout
Payment gateway integration
Email and SMS notifications
Data export
Test Environment:
Operating System: Windows 10, MacOS
Browser: Google Chrome, Firefox, Safari
Hardware: Intel i5 processor, 8GB RAM
Server: AWS
Test Schedule:
Test Planning: e.g., January 15th — January 20th
Test Case Development: e.g., January 21st — January 25th
Test Execution: e.g., January 26th — February 5th
Test Closure: e.g., February 6th
Test Deliverables:
Test cases
Test scripts
Test reports
Defect reports
Performance test report
Responsive test report
Test Responsibilities:
Test Lead: Responsible for overall test planning and execution
Test Engineer: Responsible for developing test cases and scripts, and executing tests
Developer: Responsible for fixing defects and providing support during testing
Server administrator : Responsible for maintaining the test environment
Test Approach:
Manual testing will be used to test all the functionalities of the web application
Automated testing will be used to test the performance and load of the web application
Responsive testing will be done to ensure the web application is compatible with different devices and screen sizes
Exit Criteria:
All the identified defects must be fixed and verified.
All the test cases must be executed and passed.
All the test deliverables must be completed and submitted.
Performance test should pass the threshold limit.
This is a sample test plan, it may vary depending on the complexity of the web application and the organization’s testing process. Likewise, you can create your own sample test plan depending on your software application requirements.Why Are Test Plans So Important?
A test plan is the building block of every testing effort. It guides you through the process of checking a software product and clearly defines who will perform each step. A clear software development test plan ensures everyone is on the same page and working effectively towards a common goal.
Whether you are building an app or open-source software, a testing project plan helps you create a strong foundation.
The importance of a high-quality test plan rises when developers and testers need to identify risk areas, allocate the resources efficiently, and determine the order of testing activities. A well-developed testing plan acts as a blueprint that can be referred to at any stage of the product or software development life cycle.
Let’s discuss these processes in detail:
Determining the Scope of Test Automation:
Determining the scope of test automation is an important step in creating a effective software testing plan. It involves identifying which parts of the software should be automated and which parts should be tested manually. Factors to consider when determining the scope of test automation include the complexity of the software, the time and resources available for testing, and the importance of the software’s functionality.
By determining the scope of test automation, the test plan can ensure that the testing process is efficient and effective, and that the software is thoroughly tested.
Selecting the Right Tool for Automation:
Selecting the right tool for automation is an important step in creation of a good testing plan. It involves evaluating different automation tools and selecting the one that is best suited for the software being tested. Factors to consider when selecting a tool include the compatibility of the tool with the software and its environment, the cost of the tool, and the level of support provided by the vendor.
By selecting the right tool, it can ensure that the testing process is efficient and effective, and that the software is thoroughly tested.
Test Plan + Test Design + Test Strategy:
A test plan, test design, and test strategy are all closely related and should be included in it.
A test plan outlines the overall strategy and approach for testing the software. A test design includes the specific test cases, test scripts, and test data that will be used to test the software. A test strategy outlines the overall approach to testing, such as manual testing or automated testing, and how the testing process will be executed.
By including all of these elements, it ensures that the testing process is thorough and effective and that the software is thoroughly tested.
Setting Up the Test Environment:
Setting up the test environment is an important step in creating as it involves configuring the hardware and software that will be used for testing, including the operating system, browser versions, and any other relevant details.
Setting up the test environment ensures that the testing process is consistent and that all necessary areas are covered. It also helps to ensure that the testing process is efficient and effective, and that the software is thoroughly tested.
Automation Test Script Development + Execution:
Automation test script development and execution are important steps in creating a software development testing plan. Automation test script development involves creating the scripts that will be used to automate the testing process. Automation test script execution involves running the automated scripts to test the software. This step is important because it ensures that the testing process is efficient and effective, and that the software is thoroughly tested.
Automation allows for the repeatability and consistency of tests which can save time and resources. It also allows for testing of large amounts of data and scenarios that would be impractical or impossible to test manually.
By including automation test script development and execution, testing plan ensures that the testing process is efficient and effective and that the software is thoroughly tested.
