Test Summary Report and Test Progress Report are two important documents in software testing that provide valuable information about the testing activities and progress. Here’s an overview of each:
Test Summary Report:
The Test Summary Report is a comprehensive document that provides an overall summary of the testing activities and outcomes. It is typically prepared at the end of the testing phase or project and serves as a formal record of the testing effort. The Test Summary Report includes the following information.
Introduction: Provides an overview of the testing objectives, scope, and approach.
Test Execution Summary: Summarizes the test execution progress, including the number of test cases executed, passed, failed, and blocked. It gives an overall view of the test coverage and highlights any significant testing achievements.
Defect Summary: Provides information about the identified defects, such as the total number of defects, their severity, priority, and status. It gives an overview of the defect management process and the progress made in resolving the reported issues.
Test Environment: Describes the test environment setup, including the hardware, software, and configurations used for testing.
Risks and Issues: Identifies any remaining risks, issues, or challenges encountered during testing, along with their impact and mitigation plans.
Recommendations: Offers recommendations for future testing improvements based on the lessons learned during the testing process.
Conclusion: Provides a concluding statement summarizing the overall quality and readiness of the software for release.
The Test Summary Report is shared with project stakeholders, including the development team, management, and other relevant parties, to communicate the testing progress, results, and recommendations. It helps stakeholders make informed decisions about the software’s quality and readiness for deployment.
Test Progress Report:
The Test Progress Report is a periodic document prepared during the testing phase to provide updates on the testing progress. It helps project stakeholders track the status of testing activities and understand the current state of the project. The Test Progress Report typically includes the following information:
Introduction: Provides a brief overview of the testing objectives and scope.
Test Execution Progress: Describes the progress made in executing test cases, including the number of test cases planned, executed, and remaining.
Defect Status: Summarizes the status of reported defects, such as the number of open defects, resolved defects, and any critical or high-priority issues.
Defect List
| Defect ID | Description | Status | Assigned To | Priority | Created Date | Reporter | Components | Sprint |
| DEF-001 | Login button not functioning | Open | John Doe | High | 2024-01-05 | User123 | Authentication | Sprint 1 |
| DEF-002 | Missing data in report | In Progress | Jane Smith | Medium | 2024-01-10 | Analyst789 | Reporting | Sprint 2 |
| DEF-003 | UI alignment issue | Closed | Alex Brown | Low | 2024-01-03 | Tester456 | UI Design | Sprint 1 |
| DEF-004 | App crash on startup | Open | Mark Johnson | Critical | 2024-01-08 | Dev456 | Application Logic | Sprint 2 |
| DEF-005 | Incorrect calculation | Resolved | Mary Lee | High | 2024-01-02 | ManagerXYZ | Calculation Engine | Sprint 1 |
Test Coverage: Indicates the extent of test coverage achieved, including the areas or functionalities tested and any gaps in coverage.
Risks and Issues: Highlights any risks, issues, or challenges encountered during testing, along with their impact and mitigation plans.
Planned vs. Actual: Compares the planned testing activities and milestones with the actual progress to assess if the testing is on track or if any deviations have occurred.
Recommendations: Provides recommendations or suggestions for improving the testing process or addressing any identified issues or risks.
The Test Progress Report is typically shared on a regular basis, such as weekly or bi-weekly, to keep stakeholders (Product Manager, QA Manager, Tech Lead and Scrum Master) informed about the testing progress, any bottlenecks or challenges, and the overall quality of the software being tested. It helps project stakeholders make timely decisions and take necessary actions to ensure the successful completion of the testing phase.
Differences between a Test Summary Report and a Test Progress Report
The key differences between a Test Summary Report and a Test Progress Report are as follows:
Timing and Frequency:
Test Summary Report: The Test Summary Report is prepared at the end of the testing phase or project, providing a comprehensive summary of the entire testing effort.
Test Progress Report: The Test Progress Report is prepared periodically during the testing phase to provide updates on the ongoing testing activities and progress. It is usually shared on a regular basis, such as weekly or bi-weekly.
Scope and Coverage:
Test Summary Report: The Test Summary Report covers the overall testing effort, including test execution, defect management, test coverage, and recommendations. It provides a holistic view of the testing outcomes and achievements.
Test Progress Report: The Test Progress Report focuses on providing updates on the progress of the ongoing testing activities. It includes information on test execution progress, defect status, test coverage, and any risks or issues encountered. It reflects the current state of the testing phase.
Purpose and Audience:
Test Summary Report: The Test Summary Report serves as a formal record of the testing effort and is typically shared with project stakeholders, including management, development team, and other relevant parties. It communicates the overall testing results, quality of the software, and recommendations for future improvements.
Test Progress Report: The Test Progress Report is shared with project stakeholders, including management, development team, and other relevant parties, to provide updates on the ongoing testing progress. It helps stakeholders track the status of testing activities, identify any issues or risks, and make informed decisions based on the current state of testing.
Content:
Test Summary Report: The Test Summary Report includes an introduction, test execution summary, defect summary, test environment details, risks and issues, recommendations, and a conclusion. It provides a comprehensive overview of the testing effort and outcomes.
Test Progress Report: The Test Progress Report includes an introduction, test execution progress, defect status, test coverage, risks and issues, planned vs. actual comparison, and recommendations. It focuses on providing updates on the ongoing testing progress and the current state of the testing phase.
In summary, the Test Summary Report is a comprehensive document prepared at the end of the testing phase, providing an overall summary of the testing effort and outcomes. On the other hand, the Test Progress Report is a periodic update during the testing phase, focusing on providing updates on the ongoing testing activities, progress, and current state of testing.