What Is a Test Plan In Software Testing?

Learning How to Create a Test Plan in software testing is important to ensure that the software meets all the needs and works efficiently. A test plan is a kind of document that helps to explain how you will test the software. Also, when it should be done and what resources you will need are also included. Creating an effective test plan is crucial to spot any issues.

A software test plan demonstrates and evaluates that a software function or product performs as intended. Software test training has several benefits, such as improving performance, preventing problems, and lowering development costs. 

In this complete guide, we’ll give you step-by-step instructions on how you can create a practical test plan so that the process of testing the software will be a successful one.

Overview: What Is A Test Plan?

A test plan in software testing is basically a document outlining the resources, schedule, objectives, and strategy of a software testing method. The plan will generally include details like the number and type of tests that need to be conducted, how test results will be reported and analyzed, the required tools, and the purpose of every test. Throughout the testing process, it is updated regularly to reflect any changes or discoveries in strategy. 
The test plan template is for conducting testing of the software activities as a defined method that is completely controlled and monitored by the testing manager. The test plan is designed by the Test Lead (60%), the Test Engineer (20%), and the Test manager (20%).

Importance Of Test Plan:

An effective test plan in software testing is a game-changer. It not only helps to make an approach and addresses several challenges but also facilitates communication between the team and stakeholders. Let’s uncover the importance of a test plan:

• Writing a test strategy or plan directs the thought process. It also forces us to face the problems ahead and brings focus to solving crucial issues. 

• A communication channel is developed with other project peers, managers, team members, testers, and other stakeholders by which the test plan and the whole project can impact each other. This is undoubtedly true concerning organizational broad testing motives and policies, objectives, test scope, product and project risks, essential areas to test, and the testability of the product.

• A test plan in software testing helps to modify the plans as the situation changes and the project progresses. You can keep testing in line with project needs by revising the strategies at notable milestones. 

Types Of Test Plans In Software Testing:

There are mainly three types of test plans, including: 

1. Master Test Plan

The master test plan document goes into greater depth on the management and planning of testing at different test levels. It offers a bird’s eye view of the tactics used, important choices made, and the testing efforts that have been made in the project. The master test plan in software testing includes various tests. There is test coverage, a relation between multiple test levels, connected code tasks, test executing strategies, and more. 

2. Phase Test Plan

The test plans that are important to follow for every test level or periodic test type are mentioned in detail at this level. The level test plan in software testing generally includes information on the levels enlisted in the master test plan. They will provide testing templates, schedules, activities, benchmarks, and other key information that is not covered in the master plan. 

3. Specific Test Plan

Plans for conducting specific testing, such as security and performance tests. Performance testing is software testing aiming to find out how a system performs and responds under a particular load. Security testing is software testing that focuses on discovering the system’s issues and whether its resources and data are safe from possible intruders.

Components Of The Test Plan In Software Testing:

Exploring the components of a test plan in software testing is crucial for a deep understanding of the process. Let us now dive into the important component that forms the backbone of an efficient test plan: 

• Scheduling: Defines the commencement deadlines and dates for testers to offer the outcomes. 

• Resource Allocation: This component is used to identify which tester will work on a particular test. 

• Tools: This component specifies the instruments used for problem reporting, testing, and other tasks.

• Training Requirements: The skill level and staff needed to carry out test-related tasks should be explained by the test planner. Any specialized training required to accomplish a task should also be suggested.

• Approach: The issues to be addressed when testing the targeted program are comprehensively covered in this section of the test plan. 

• Risk Management: Explains the problems that can arise during software testing as well as the issues that the software itself might face if it is issued without proper testing. 

Objectives Of Testing: 

When it comes to developing a test plan for software testing, it’s important to know its objectives. Let us now explore the essential reasons that make a test plan important in software tests:

• It offers an overview of where to begin and end the work.
• To be extremely precise about the quantity of resources needed to complete the work. 
• The timeline is based on the number of workers and hours required. 
• To make the detailed tasks that must be performed in the project’s modules.
• A test plan in software testing has every information from start to end, like a prototype.
• It will assist in evaluating the project’s vulnerabilities and finding out its solutions. 
• A test plan in software testing serves as a guide for maintaining the rules when the project is finished phase by phase. 
• All interactions of the stakeholders will be taken into account and organized.

Who Needs Test Planning?

A test plan in software testing is a crucial artifact that acts as a mentor for the development process of the product. So, let’s find out who needs a test plan:

• Developers: They get insights into the testing requirements and scope. It helps them predict the tests that will be executed on their own code and know the success criteria for testing. 
• Business Analysts: They ensure every test case is perfectly aligned with the business needs specs at all stages, keeping the user’s interest in mind. Through test plans, they get a clear view of the relevancy of the test cases with current user needs. 
• Product Managers: A project manager uses a test plan to make clear decisions about resource allocation, overall product quality, and release timelines. It helps them foster effective collaboration between testing and software development teams to provide high-quality software. 
• Support Teams: They communicate with users about possible issues, offer timely solutions, and provide guidance on workarounds. A test plan in software testing helps them to guess potential vulnerabilities that have been identified during the testing time.
• Compliance Teams: They ensure that the testing methods conform to predefined standards as the regulatory orders.

How To Create A Test Plan?

When creating a test plan in software testing, it is important to address its key sections to make sure it works effectively. Let us now cover the important components that should be covered for an effective and successful test plan.

Analyzing the Product

Before creating an effective test plan in software testing, you need to examine the product first. This means how the product works, what it does, and what its potential will want to use. This analysis will help determine the specific areas that require testing and the test types that will be most effective. After understanding the product, you can begin to uncover those areas where issues can occur. By figuring out potential areas creating issues, you can create a plan for testing the product.

Create A Test Plan Strategy

The next step in developing a test plan in software testing is to create a test strategy. A number of several factors need to be taken into consideration when developing a test strategy. The schedule for testing, the type of testing, and the resources required are some of them. This test strategy should be modified to the particular project, and the overall risks, scope, and objectives should be considered.

Explain The Scope Of Testing: First, identify the goals of testing. Secondly, figure out the areas of the application in which testing is needed. This also includes figuring out the functional areas, several features, and components that need to be tested. Lastly, determine the types of testing to perform. 

Identify The Test Type: There are multiple kinds of testing that can be executed on software, and every type has its own pros and cons. When creating a test plan, it is crucial to identify the type that is more accurate for AUT. The types of testing are: 

• Functional testing
• Performance testing
• Security testing
• Compatibility testing
• Usability testing

Document Issues And Risks: A test plan is a document outlining the issues and risks associated with a software project. The test plan in software testing communicates the issues and risks to the project management and team. These can be technical issues, such as problems with the architecture or code, or some non-technical ones, including changes in the business environment.

Creating Test Logistics: Creating test logistics is an essential part of writing a test plan. This includes deciding when and where testing will take place, as well as what are the resources that will be needed. Test logistics should be developed to make sure that every aspect of the testing process is considered.

Explain Test Objective

The test objective will depend on the purpose of the software. Verifying whether the software is meeting user requirements, assessing the software’s completeness, and identifying software defects are some of them. The test objective will also determine the type of tests that are required to be conducted, and the results will be examined and documented.

Explain Test Criteria

The further step in creating a test plan in software testing is to define the test criteria. Test criteria consider whether a test has passed or failed. The test criteria will totally depend on the type of test, and it should be distinctly defined to avoid any confusion.

For instance, a test for inspecting data accuracy may use a specific percentage of accuracy as the test criteria. However, it is crucial to consider any divergences that can occur due to environmental shifts. 

Suspension Criteria: These are a set of conditions that, if met, will cause the testing procedure to be suspended. This could be due to a crucial bug being found or anything else that could potentially impact the process of testing.

Suspension criteria should be agreed upon by all the parties involved in the software testing process and should be clearly mentioned from the beginning. This will help to assure everyone is on the same page and understands when testing should be discontinued. 

Exit Criteria: The exit criteria for a test plan in software testing are the conditions that must be met before the completion of the testing. This includes functional and non-functional criteria. Functional are those that relate to the functionality of the system under a specific test. On the other hand, the non-functional criteria are those that relate to those aspects such as scalability, performance, security, etc.

Resource Planning

The next stage when creating a test plan in software testing is to plan the resources required for testing. This includes finding out whether internal or external resources will be needed and what their qualifications and skill sets are. 

Human Resource: The human resources required for software testing includes developers, testers, and other staff in the testing process. The skills and number of resources they need will depend on the intricacy and size of the project. The team member’s experience and skills should be considered when creating assignments. The test plan should also include tracking the test progress and acknowledging the areas that might require additional resources.

System Resource: When creating a test plan in software testing, it is crucial to consider the system resources needed for testing. Also, it should identify the risks associated with the process of testing and define the steps that will help diminish those risks. 

Plan Test Environment

The next step is to outline the requirements for the test environment. This will totally depend on the type of testing, such as load testing, functional, or usability. It is crucial to consider any changes that might occur due to environmental changes. Suppose you are conducting a functional test, you will require a testing environment resembling the live environment as closely as possible. This will include network connections, real data, and so on. 

How to set up a test environment? 

There are some key elements to remember when setting up the test environment, including: 

• The testing tools to use
• Network configuration 
• The test data 
• The software and hardware requirements of AUT

Schedule and Estimation

The next phase when creating a test plan is to draft the schedule and make an estimate for the testing process. This includes figuring out whether the testing phase is the exact same length as the developing phase. It is crucial to consider some factors, such as the testing environment, the complexity of the software, and other factors that are applicable. 

You can make use of the software project management strategies to create a testing schedule. You will also need to outline how testing costs will be calculated and determined.

Test Deliverables

When creating a test plan in software testing, you must outline the test deliverables. These are the final outputs of the testing procedures, such as enhancements, test reports, and defects. 

Additionally, they may include a list of unsupported characteristics, why they are not tested, and an explanation of what is missing. It is essential to note that the test deliverables are not the same as software deliverables. And they will only contain information that is related to testing. 

How To Run A Test?

The test plan document of software testing also consists of the steps that testers need to obey to run the test plan. You begin with the process after all the roles are given to the concerned individuals. Generally, the steps are:

• Setting up the test environment, including software, hardware, and network configurations.
• Plan the test procedures and cases as outlined in the test plan.
• Document and record the test results, including any issues or defects encountered. 
• Examine the test results to determine minor and major issues. Also, if the product is working perfectly as per the user requirements. 
• Communicate and report the test results or status to stakeholders, including any variations from the plan.
• Finally, review the test plan as per the results and feedback you received in the steps before. 

However, it is important to remember that these particular steps may vary depending on the organizational processes, the project’s context, and the information outlined in the software testing plan document. However, by following the guidelines, you can build and deploy a top-notch system for your clients. 

Test Plan Vs Test Strategy:

Final Line: 

Creating a test plan is an integral step in software testing. It outlines the objectives, resources, scope, and timeline of the testing procedure. Also, a test plan details the criteria to estimate test results. It is crucial to create a well-monitored test plan to ensure the software testing procedure is successful.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):