A Comprehensive Guide on How to Prepare a Well-Structured Test Plan for Software Testing

How to Prepare a Well-Structured Test Plan for Software Testing

Table of Contents

Introduction
What is Test Plan?
What is the importance of creating Test Plan?
How is test planning done, and what does it contains?
Step 1: Understand the Project Requirements and Objectives
Step 2: Define Test Objectives and Scope
Step 3: Identify Test Deliverables
Step 4: Define Testing Strategy and Approach
Step 5: Create a Test Schedule
Step 6: Identify Test Environment and Tools
Step 7: Develop Test Cases and Test Scripts
Step 8: Determine Test Data Requirements
Step 9: Define Entry and Exit Criteria
Step 10: Plan for Test Execution and Reporting
Step 11: Allocate Resources
Step 12: Review and Approval
Conclusion

Introduction: 

Software testing is a crucial phase in the software development life cycle (SDLC) that ensures the quality and reliability of the product. A well-structured test plan is essential for effective testing and successful software delivery. In this guide, we will walk through the step-by-step process of creating a comprehensive test plan to streamline the testing process and enhance the overall quality of the software.

What is Test Plan? 

A Test Plan is a document which outlines the test strategies, objectives, schedules, estimations, deadlines, technical tools and resources required to complete that project. It's always recommended to update your test plan as your project progresses, so that it stays up-to-date. It serves as the focal point around which QA team members conduct and plan their testing efforts.

What is the importance of creating Test Plan?

1. To assist those who are not part of the testing teams in understanding how the project applications or softwares are tested, such as developers, business managers, customer-facing teams, and BA or Product owner.
2. Test engineers may carry out their testing tasks with clarity thanks to test plans.
3. A test plan provides specific information about the testing process, including test scope, estimate, and approach.
4. It is simpler for management staff to examine and reuse the material when it is combined into a single document for use in future projects.

How is test planning done, and what does it contains?

• The test plan is essentially a dynamic document that is updated based on the project's success. It includes the sprint's aim, a test schedule, estimates, deadlines, and the distribution of resources.
• Task Distribution: What to Test, How to Test, When to Test, and Who Will Test It.
• Allocation of Resources.
• Estimation.
• Establishing the Start and End dates of the testing activity is the primary goal of the test plan. In the end, it determines when the project will be released. 
• Team formation: Environments, resources, and test duration availability.

To Prepare Test Plan: After team formation, the team lead often focusses on the following parts while preparing the test plan document. (Following are the practically essential components of any standard test plan prepared for software testing)

• Test Plan ID.
• Iteration: Project-specific information.
• Elements of Testing.
• Test Schedule: Specifies the start and end dates for testers' report delivery.
• Scope: Describes the goals of the undertaking. It also describes user scenarios that will be applied in testing. 
• Features to be tested: a list of the features that will be tested in future releases.
• Features that shouldn't be tested for the specific releases.
• Test Pass/Fail standards.
• Test Environments: Software and hardware needed to carry out tests. Describes the availability, setup, and characteristics of the test environment.
• Resource Allocation: Identifies the testers assigned to each test.
• Tools: Describes the tools that will be used for defect reporting, defect management, various forms of testing, and other necessary tasks.
• Defect Management: Specifies the bugs will be assigned to whom, how they will be reported, and what information must be included with each bug report. 
• Employees and training that team members will require. 
• Test Deliverables: Required testing documents to be completed before starting and after finishing of the testing. 
• Entry and Exit Criteria: Specifies the conditions at which testing must end. This section provides testers with a baseline against which to evaluate actual results by outlining the expected outcomes of the QA activities.
• Suspension Criteria: Specifies the parameters by which all tests must be suspended.
• Risk Management and Mitigation of risk: Risks include things like missed deadlines, bad management, inaccurate or insufficient budget estimates, and how these things might affect the final product or company. Describes potential risks that could arise during software testing and problems that could arise if the build is released without enough testing.

We have elaborated over each step involved into preparation of test plan into the following section:

Step 1: Understand the Project Requirements and Objectives.

Before diving into test planning, it's essential to have a thorough understanding of the project requirements and objectives. Collaborate with stakeholders, developers, and product owners to gather comprehensive information about the software's functionalities, expected outcomes, and user expectations.

Step 2: Define Test Objectives and Scope.

Clearly articulate the objectives of your testing efforts. Identify what aspects of the software will be tested and what will be excluded. Define the scope of your testing, including the features, modules, and functionalities that will undergo testing. This helps in setting realistic expectations and ensures that the testing efforts are focused on critical areas.

Step 3: Identify Test Deliverables.

List down the test deliverables that need to be created during the testing process. This may include test cases, test scripts, test data, test reports, and any other documentation required for effective testing. Having a clear list of deliverables ensures that all necessary artifacts are generated and maintained throughout the testing phase.

Step 4: Define Testing Strategy and Approach.

Based on the project's characteristics and requirements, choose an appropriate testing strategy and approach. Decide whether you will adopt manual testing, automated testing, or a combination of both. Outline the testing methodologies, testing levels (unit testing, integration testing, system testing, etc.), and the order in which testing activities will be conducted.

Step 5: Create a Test Schedule.

Develop a realistic and well-structured test schedule that outlines the timelines for each testing phase. Consider factors such as resource availability, project deadlines, and dependencies. Ensure that the schedule is flexible enough to accommodate unexpected issues or delays while still meeting the overall project timeline.

Step 6: Identify Test Environment and Tools.

Specify the test environment requirements, including hardware, software, network configurations, and any third-party tools or applications needed for testing. Clearly define the test environment setup process to ensure consistency across different testing stages. Select appropriate testing tools that align with the testing strategy and project requirements.

Step 7: Develop Test Cases and Test Scripts.

Based on the defined test objectives and scope, create detailed test cases and test scripts. Ensure that each test case is well-documented, covering various test scenarios, expected outcomes, and steps to reproduce. If using automated testing, develop robust and maintainable test scripts that can be easily executed and analyzed.

Step 8: Determine Test Data Requirements.

Identify the test data needed to execute test cases effectively. Define how the test data will be generated, whether manually or through automated means. Ensure that the test data represents real-world scenarios and covers both positive and negative test cases.

Step 9: Define Entry and Exit Criteria.

Establish clear entry and exit criteria for each testing phase. Entry criteria define the conditions that must be met before testing can commence, while exit criteria determine when testing can be considered complete. This ensures that testing activities are well-organized and aligned with project milestones.

Step 10: Plan for Test Execution and Reporting.

Outline the process for executing test cases, whether manually or through automation. Define the criteria for pass/fail status and establish a mechanism for capturing and reporting test results. Clearly communicate the testing progress and any issues or defects found during testing.

Step 11: Allocate Resources.

Determine the resources required for testing, including personnel, hardware, software, and tools. Assign roles and responsibilities to team members and ensure that everyone is aware of their tasks and deadlines. Regularly communicate with the team to address any challenges or concerns.

Step 12: Review and Approval.

Before finalizing the test plan, conduct a thorough review with stakeholders, including developers, testers, and project managers. Incorporate feedback and make necessary revisions. Once the test plan is refined, obtain formal approval from relevant stakeholders to ensure everyone is on the same page.

Conclusion:

A well-structured test plan is a cornerstone of successful software testing. By following these twelve steps, you can create a comprehensive and effective test plan that not only meets project requirements but also enhances the overall quality of the software. Remember that adaptability is key, and the test plan should be flexible enough to accommodate changes and improvements throughout the testing process. With a solid test plan in place, you are better equipped to navigate the testing phase and contribute to the delivery of high-quality software.