The Test Planning Process

What is a Test Strategy? What are its Components?

Test Policy - A document characterizing the organization’s philosophy towards software testing.

Test Strategy - A high-level document defining the test phases to be performed and the testing within those phases for a programme. It defines the process to be followed in each project. This sets the standards for the processes, documents, activities etc. that should be followed for each project.
For example, if a product is given for testing, you should decide if it is better to use black-box testing or white-box testing and if you decide to use both, when will you apply each and to which part of the software? All these details need to be specified in the Test Strategy.

Project Test Plan - a document defining the test phases to be performed and the testing within those phases for a particular project.

A Test Strategy should cover more than one project and should address the following issues: An approach to testing high risk areas first, Planning for testing, How to improve the process based on previous testing, Environments/data used, Test management - Configuration management, Problem management, What Metrics are followed, Will the tests be automated and if so which tools will be used, What are the Testing Stages and Testing Methods, Post Testing Review process, Templates.

Test planning needs to start as soon as the project requirements are known. The first document that needs to be produced then is the Test Strategy/Testing Approach that sets the high level approach for testing and covers all the other elements mentioned above.

Test Planning – Sample Structure:
Once the approach is understood, a detailed test plan can be written. Usually, this test plan can be written in different styles. Test plans can completely differ from project to project in the same organization.

Purpose
To describe the scope, approach, resources, and schedule of the testing activities. To identify the items being tested, the features to be tested, the testing tasks to be performed, the personnel responsible for each task, and the risks associated with this plan.

OUTLINE
A test plan shall have the following structure:
• Test plan identifier. A unique identifier assign to the test plan.
• Introduction: Summarized the software items and features to be tested and the need for them to be included.
• Test items: Identify the test items, their transmittal media which impact their
• Features to be tested
• Features not to be tested
• Approach
• Item pass/fail criteria
• Suspension criteria and resumption requirements
• Test deliverables
• Testing tasks
• Environmental needs
• Responsibilities
• Staffing and training needs
• Schedule
• Risks and contingencies
• Approvals

Major Test Planning Tasks:
Like any other process in software testing, the major tasks in test planning are to – Develop Test Strategy, Critical Success Factors, Define Test Objectives, Identify Needed Test Resources, Plan Test Environment, Define Test Procedures, Identify Functions To Be Tested, Identify Interfaces With Other Systems or Components, Write Test Scripts, Define Test Cases, Design Test Data, Build Test Matrix, Determine Test Schedules, Assemble Information, Finalize the Plan