A test plan is a document that outlines the approach, scope, resources, schedule, and activities planned for testing a specific system, application, or software. It serves as a guide for the testing team and provides a roadmap for the testing process. Creating a test plan involves careful consideration of various factors to ensure comprehensive and effective testing.
Here is a list of pointers to include when creating a test plan.
- Introduction:
- Purpose of the test plan.
- Overview of the system or application being tested.
- Scope and objectives of testing.
- Test Items:
- List of features or functionalities to be tested.
- Features or functionalities not to be tested (out of scope).
- Features to be Tested:
- Detailed description of each feature or functionality to be tested.
- Identification of critical and high-priority features.
- Features Not to be Tested:
- Explanation of features or functionalities excluded from testing.
- Reasons for excluding specific features.
- Testing Strategy:
- Testing levels (unit testing, integration testing, system testing, etc.).
- Testing types (functional testing, non-functional testing, performance testing, etc.).
- Entry and exit criteria for each testing phase.
- Test Environment:
- Hardware and software requirements for testing.
- Configuration settings and dependencies.
- Tools and testing software to be used.
- Test Schedule:
- Detailed timeline for the testing process.
- Milestones and delivery dates.
- Resource allocation and availability.
- Test Deliverables:
- List of documents and artifacts to be produced during testing.
- Criteria for acceptance of each deliverable.
- Testing Resources:
- Roles and responsibilities of team members.
- Skills and expertise required for each role.
- Training needs and plans.
- Risks and Mitigation:
- Identification of potential risks to the testing process.
- Strategies and plans for risk mitigation.
- Contingency plans for unforeseen issues.
- Test Execution:
- Test procedures and test case specifications.
- Test data and environment setup.
- Test execution schedule.
- Defect Tracking:
- Defect life cycle and workflow.
- Tools and mechanisms for defect tracking.
- Criteria for defect severity and priority.
- Test Reporting:
- Types of reports to be generated (daily, weekly, etc.).
- Metrics and measurements to be included in reports.
- Communication channels and frequency.
- Approvals:
- List of stakeholders who need to review and approve the test plan.
- Approval criteria and process.
- Appendix:
- Additional information, charts, or graphs relevant to the test plan.
- Any supporting documents or references.
Why Test Plan is needed?
Creating a thorough and well-documented test plan is essential for successful testing and ensures that all stakeholders are aligned on the testing approach and objectives. It also serves as a reference throughout the testing process.
Example-WhatsApp Send and Receive Message Flow Test Plan
1. Introduction
1.1 Purpose
The purpose of this test plan is to outline the testing approach, resources, and activities for validating the send and receive message functionality in the WhatsApp application.
1.2 Overview
This section provides a brief overview of the WhatsApp application and the specific features related to sending and receiving messages.
2. Test Items
2.1 Features to be Tested
Sending text messages
Receiving text messages
Message delivery confirmation
2.2 Features Not to be Tested
Multimedia messaging (images, videos, etc.) – Out of scope for this test plan.
3. Testing Strategy
3.1 Testing Levels
Unit Testing: Testing individual message components.
Integration Testing: Verifying the interaction between message sending and receiving modules.
System Testing: End-to-end testing of the entire message flow.
3.2 Testing Types
Functional Testing: Ensuring that the message flow meets functional requirements.
Performance Testing: Assessing the responsiveness of message sending and receiving.
Usability Testing: Verifying the user experience during message interactions.
3.3 Entry and Exit Criteria
Entry Criteria: Completion of development, availability of test environment.
Exit Criteria: All critical and high-priority defects addressed, test cases executed successfully.
4. Test Environment
4.1 Hardware Requirements
Smartphone devices (iOS and Android) for testing.
4.2 Software Requirements
WhatsApp application (latest version) installed on test devices.
Test environment simulators for iOS and Android.
4.3 Configuration Settings
Devices configured with valid phone numbers for testing.
5. Test Schedule
5.1 Milestones
Test environment setup – Day 1
Unit testing – Days 2-4
Integration testing – Days 5-7
System testing – Days 8-10
Defect fixing and retesting – Days 11-12
5.2 Resource Allocation
Testing team members: [List of team members and roles]
6. Test Deliverables
6.1 Documents
Test plan document
Test cases and test scripts
Test summary report
6.2 Artifacts
Screenshots or video recordings of test scenarios
Defect reports
7. Testing Resources
7.1 Roles and Responsibilities
Test Lead: Overall coordination and test strategy.
Testers: Execution of test cases and defect reporting.
7.2 Skills and Expertise
Familiarity with mobile application testing.
Knowledge of WhatsApp messaging features.
7.3 Training Needs
Training on the use of testing tools (if applicable).
8. Risks and Mitigation
8.1 Risks
Unstable network conditions affecting message delivery.
Differences in behavior between iOS and Android versions.
8.2 Mitigation
Conduct testing in controlled network environments.
Perform thorough cross-platform testing.
9. Test Execution
9.1 Test Procedures
Detailed test cases for each message flow scenario.
9.2 Test Data
Valid and invalid phone numbers for testing message delivery.
9.3 Test Environment Setup
Ensure devices are configured with the latest WhatsApp version.
10. Defect Tracking
10.1 Defect Life Cycle
Open, In Progress, Fixed, Retest, Closed.
10.2 Defect Severity and Priority
Define severity and priority levels for defects.
11. Test Reporting
11.1 Reports
Daily progress reports.
Weekly test summary reports.
11.2 Metrics
Number of test cases executed.
Defect density and closure rates.
12. Approvals
12.1 Stakeholders
[List of stakeholders]
12.2 Approval Criteria
Approval based on successful completion of test phases.
13. Appendix
13.1 Additional Information
Any additional reference documents.