Test Strategy and Plan: Best Practices to Ensure the Success of Your Product Development

Testing establishes a logical link between all of the components of product development. The product team creates requirements, which the testing team then uses to create and execute test cases. The development writes and commits code, which causes tests to run again. Finally, the test progress and findings are sent to executive-level stakeholders for tracking and analysis to make business choices.

This article describes how to create and implement a high-quality test automation strategy so that your testing efforts are thoroughly rewarded. Your software quality reflects a well-thought-out plan that allows you to optimize your product before your customers begin using it entirely.

1. Software quality assurance (SQA)

SQA is a process that ensures that all software engineering processes, methodologies, activities, and work items are monitored and meet the set criteria. SQA encompasses all phases of software development, from requirements definition to coding and release. Its primary objective is to ensure quality.

2. Software quality control (SQC)

Software quality control (SQC) is a collection of activities designed to ensure the quality of software products. The purpose of software quality control is to verify that products meet specifications/requirements during the Review/Testing phases of the Software Development Life Cycle.

3. Software Testing

Software testing is validating and verifying the artefacts and behavior of the software under test. Product testing can also provide an impartial, unbiased picture of the software, allowing businesses to realize and comprehend the risks associated with software implementation.

4. Agile Development Cycle

As previously stated, the Agile software development life cycle is divided into six stages. Let’s take a closer look at each of these Agile phases.

5. Requirements

Define the iteration’s requirements based on the product backlog, sprint backlog, and feedback from customers and stakeholders. As a result, effective project planning requires developing quality and test strategies. Let’s look at the documentation used to help the QA process.

6. Test Policy

The Test Policy document describes an organization’s overarching goal in executing test activities. It is developed by senior members of the test management team in collaboration with senior managers from the stakeholder groups. Sometimes, the test policy is part of a more significant quality policy that the organization has adopted. The following items must be specified in the test policy:

The organization’s test objectives.
The definition of the organization’s testing procedure for improving the quality of the software generated.
How will the business assess the test’s efficacy and efficiency in meeting objectives?
How the organization intends to improve its testing procedures?

7. Test Strategy

In software testing, a test strategy is described as a collection of guiding principles that specifies the test design and governs how the software testing process will be carried out. The Test Strategy’s goal is to give a systematic method to software testing to ensure quality, traceability, reliability, and improved planning.

A test strategy document may be applicable for a system with multiple projects and describes.

Testing objectives and scope
Those for testing that are in scope versus items that are out of scope
Levels of testing (Unit, System, Integration, System Integration)
Types of tests (functional vs. non-functional)
Exit / Entry / Hold / Resumption Criteria for testing (at various levels / phases)
Issues to be addressed
Issues to be addressed Approach to defect management
Classification of flaws
The approach of retesting and regression
Methodology for designing test cases in the testing environment
Methodology for testing (top-down / bottom-up / risk-based)
Control and reporting of tests
Approach to test automation
To be used testing tools

8. Test Plan

A test plan is a thorough document that specifies the topics and actions of software testing. It describes the test strategy, objectives, timetable, resources needed (human resources, software, and hardware), test estimation, and test deliverables.

The test plan is the foundation of all software testing. It is the most critical action since it ensures the availability of all the lists of planned activities in the correct order.

At TestDel, we use Jira-Zephyr for test management and creating test plans.

9. Test cases

Preparing effective test cases is an essential aspect of improving software testing. A test case consists of input values, execution preconditions, expected results, and execution postconditions designed to achieve a specific goal or test condition.

At TestDel, our test analysts write efficient, clear and reusable test cases. Our test cases are well written and structured. The following information is included in the standard test case:

The ID of the test case
Description of a test case
Prerequisites
Steps for testing
Test results
Actual outcome vs expected outcome
Status Created on the date of creation Executed on the date of execution

10. Design the requirements

Once the project has been defined, collaborate with stakeholders to identify requirements. You can use a user flow diagram or a high-level UML diagram to demonstrate the functionality of new features and how they will interact with your existing system.

11. Iteration

The job begins when the team identifies the requirements. Designers and developers begin work on their projects. Designers and developers strive to deliver a workable product within the time frame specified. The product will go through several rounds of development; thus, it will contain simple, minimum functionality.

12. Testing

The Quality Assurance team examines the product’s performance and looks for bugs at this phase.

How TestDel can help with automation testing services?

Our Experienced automation test engineers help your company succeed by automating test releases, shortening time-to-market, lowering costs, increasing test coverage, testing across various platforms, and improving end-product quality. Many projects have been saved from failure because to our software test automation approach, which addresses QA bottlenecks at breakneck speed.

Web App Test Automation
Mobile App Test Automation
Desktop App Test Automation
Continuous Testing
Performance and Load Testing
API Testing

13. Review/ Feedback

The final stage after releasing the product is to solicit feedback. The team receives and works through comments on the product throughout this step.

14. Use test-driven software development management

The rise of Agile development has brought several practical approaches for delivering high-quality software rapidly. TDD is one such strategy now regarded as an efficient approach that produces positive results.

14.1 Test Driven Development (TDD)

Test Driven Development (TDD) is an iterative method in which test cases are written before implementing a solution. This method contradicts the traditional practice of coding first and testing later.

The TDD technique has the following advantages:

Writing the tests first necessitates seriously considering what you want from the code.
Because TDD use cases are written as tests, other programmers can use the tests to see how the code is supposed to work.
Development expenses are reduced.
TDD supports a simple user interface.
You spend less time debugging.
The development to market period is shorter.
TDD produces code that is easily manageable, versatile, and extensible.
The generated unit tests are simple and serve as code descriptions.
TDD results in SOLID code.
TDD generates a thorough specification.
You get immediate feedback.
TDD lowers the amount of time spent on rework.
The productivity of the programmer is increased.

14.2 Pair Programming

Pair programming is a method of agile software development in which two programmers collaborate at a single workstation. The driver writes code, while the observer or navigator evaluates each line of code as it is entered. The two programmers frequently trade duties. The observer evaluates the “strategic” direction of the work when reviewing, coming up with proposals for improvements and potential future difficulties to solve. This is meant to free up the driver’s attention to focus solely on the “tactical” aspects of completing the current task, with the observer acting as a safety net and guidance.

14.2.1 Benefits of Pair Programming

Code of Quality

Most notably, when compared to solo programming, pair programming delivers higher quality code with fewer flaws. When developers collaborate, they are more likely to identify faults and problems – two pairs of eyes usually see more than one. The navigator observes the style and function while the driver writes the code.

An efficient method of sharing knowledge

It would allow programmers to receive instant face-to-face teaching, which would be far superior to online tutorials and far faster than searching for resources on the Internet. Furthermore, you can learn more from your partner, especially in areas that are foreign to you. Developers can also learn techniques and improved methodologies from more experienced programmers.

14.3 To begin testing early and frequently, take a shift-left method.

The “shift left” testing movement aims to advance testing to the early stages of software development. A project can reduce the number of vulnerabilities and improve code quality by testing early and often. The goal is to avoid discovering critical defects that require code patching during deployment critical defects that require code patching during the deployment process.

14.3.1 The Advantages of Shift-left Testing

This testing enables development teams to find and repair issues more quickly, resulting in lower development costs and higher software quality over time.
Testing continually with a shorter feedback loop will assist prevent fixing errors in the end.
Improved customer experience as a result of a diverse product offering and fewer manufacturing concerns.
Find and resolve issues before they cause a problem in production.

14.3.2 Carry out formal technical reviews

A formal technical review is a software quality assurance process that software engineers do.

There are the following objectives of formal technical review (FTR).

To make the project easier to manage.
To ensure that the program under evaluation satisfies its specifications.
It is beneficial to assess the consistency of software that is being developed in a consistent manner.
To verify that set standards represent the program.

15. Conclusion

It may seem apparent, but a test plan and strategy are essential – even if you think you’re doing OK without them. Try incorporating QA papers into your workflow. You’ll immediately see how much it helps reduce errors, misunderstandings, and work time because you won’t be doing duplicate work or missing stages.

When we adopted test plans and strategies in all of our product development teams, our teamwork at TestDel became more transparent and quicker. You will always be aware of your responsibilities and where to send queries. You’ll have a straightforward procedure that’s simple to examine and maintain. You will have to produce each software testing document, but they will save you a lot of time.