Creating a test plan is an essential step in the software testing process. It provides a roadmap for the testing process, outlining the objectives, scope, and approach. A well-designed test plan helps ensure that all aspects of the software are thoroughly tested and that any defects are identified and resolved before the product is released.
One of the most important aspects of creating a test plan is prioritizing test cases. Prioritizing test cases involves identifying the most critical scenarios and functionalities of the software and ensuring that they are tested first. This can be done by creating a Product Risk Analysis (PRA) which involves identifying potential risks associated with the product and evaluating the impact and likelihood of those risks.
Here are the steps to create a test plan:
- Define the objectives: The first step in creating a test plan is to define the objectives of the testing process. Identify the key areas of the software (take into account the full ICT architecture, not just the development that needs to be done) that need to be tested and the specific goals that need to be achieved. This includes identifying the functional and non-functional requirements of the software and determining the appropriate test cases to validate them.
- Determine the scope: The next step is to determine the scope of the testing process. This includes identifying the specific features and functionalities of the software that will be tested, as well as any limitations or constraints that will impact the testing process.
- Identify test cases: After defining the objectives and scope, the next step is to identify the specific test cases that will be used to test the software. In order to do this in the most efficient way, several test techniques can be applied to cover a wide range coverage. Think about ‘boundery value analysis’, ‘Decision tables’, etc.
- Conduct a Product Risk Analysis: Prioritizing test cases is crucial to ensure that the most critical scenarios and functionalities are tested first. A PRA will help identify potential risks associated with the product and evaluate the impact and likelihood of those risks.
- Prioritize test cases based on the PRA: Once the PRA is completed, the next step is to prioritize test cases based on the identified risks. This will ensure that the most critical scenarios and functionalities are tested first, reducing the risk of defects in these areas.
- Develop a test strategy: Once the test cases have been identified and prioritized, the next step is to develop a test strategy. This includes determining the specific approach that will be used to test the software, including the tools and methodologies that will be used.
- Create a test schedule: After developing a test strategy, the next step is to create a test schedule. This includes identifying the specific tasks that need to be completed, as well as the resources and personnel required to complete them.
- Review and finalize the plan: The final step is to review and finalize the test plan. This includes getting the the plan approved by all stakeholders.
Creating a test plan is a critical step in the software testing process. By conducting a Product Risk Analysis, prioritizing test cases, and developing a well-designed test plan, organizations can ensure that their software is tested in a business driven way.
It is important to note that the approach mentioned below depends on the project implementation type (agile, waterfall, etc.). In a shift left organizations, the steps are differently timed versus a waterfall approach, for example.