How to Write Test Documents
by admin | Jun 10, 2019 | Software Testing, Blog | 0 comments
In the crucial Software Testing process, writing test documents holds great significance. Testing documentation essentially involves the official recognition of testing components and scenarios that testers need to consider or develop before commencing software tests or during the testing of software.
For good documentation, testers must create a test environment that allows them to test all the instructions against the pre-determined specifications or requirements. The testing of instructions enables testers to gain insight into the augmentation of the accuracy of the testing documentation process. In order to write test documents efficiently, it is pertinent to pay attention to the Test Plan, the Test Case, the Test Scenario, and the Requirement Traceability Matrix (RTM).
Writing a Test Plan
The writing of a test plan holds great significance for a software testing company when it undertakes a software testing project. The test plan evidently marks the competence of the test engineer or the head of the Quality Assurance (QA) team since it draughts out the common strategy to be used for testing the software in question. The plan also delineates the test environment, the resources that will be used in testing, and the test activity schedule.
To prepare a good test plan, the test engineer or QA team lead should first prepare a suitable introduction to the Test Plan document, highlighting the objectives of the testing activity. Thereafter, the assumptions while testing the software should be enumerated. The other important testing components to be included in the test plan are:
- •The testing approach
- •Resources required
- •The features to be tested
- •Types of testing to be used
- •List of test cases
- •Testers responsible for testing
- •The deliverables for testing
- •The test completion schedule and goals to be accomplished
- •Potential risks involved during the test process
Writing a Test Case
The main aim underlying writing test cases is to validate the test coverage of the software under testing. Writing test cases is a complex activity involving the various inputs, steps, and conditions that can be used during the testing process. Software testing companies consider the ability to write effective test cases as a competent skill that comes with experience and with the knowledge of the software being tested.
Test cases can be of different types – functional test cases, logical test cases, negative test cases, error test cases, physical test cases, and UI test cases, among others. Some general components of a test case are:
- •Test case ID
- •Product module and product version
- •Purpose/li>
- •Assumptions and pre-conditions
- •Steps
- •Projected outcome
- •Factual outcome
- •Comments/post-conditions
Creating a Test Scenario
The creation of test scenario – also known as Test Condition or Test Possibility – is a vital activity for a company providing software testing services. Although the term ‘test scenario’ is occasionally used interchangeably with ‘test case,’ the difference between the two is that a test scenario includes a number of test cases with countless steps whereas a test case has only one step. In a test scenario, the various test cases may either be independent of one another or may follow a sequential execution in which each test is dependent on the output from its preceding test.
In writing test documents, the test scenario is typically a one-line statement that provides information about what specific area in the software will be tested. For some areas in the software, one test scenario may suffice, while for other areas hundreds of test scenarios may be required due to the complexity of software.
The Requirement Traceability Matrix (RTM) Document
The Requirement Traceability Matrix – simply called Traceability Matrix – document comprises a table with which the requirements during the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) can be traced. When test documents are written, it is pertinent to link the requirements in the RTM document with their associated test cases so that tests can be performed in accordance with the stated requirements.
The RTM document helps to verify that the development of the software is in accordance with the requirements. In addition, the document also identifies the root cause of bugs and traces the developed documents during different stages of the SDLC.
In Conclusion:
Writing a perfect test document is a crucial task that facilitates the evaluation of the testing effort required for the software under testing. Therefore, before writing test documents, the people responsible for the task should first understand the purpose of writing test cases and then ensure that the tests are clear and consistent. Overall, it must be noted that a test document should have one standard format all through and it should provide excellent readability and optimum test coverage. Our team consists of experts in this realm and more – connect with us to get the best possible software and documentation.
