How to Write a Software Test Plan

The United States’ software testing market is worth over $6.8 billion dollars. It employs thousands of individuals, and naturally, a significant amount of knowledge is required. Software testing is essential to determine if it is functional before being presented to the public.

What are some of the steps associated with developing a well-written software test plan? Let us look at the basic parameters to better understand what to expect.

Digital Funnel has listed some of the basic parameters below that help develop a well-written software plan.

Become familiar with the basics

Any successful testing plan is the result of a solid foundation in terms of knowledge and familiarity. It is, therefore, crucial to appreciate the type of terminology being used and, naturally, the programming language in question.

This is also the time when the exact goals of the software should be determined. You can therefore better appreciate whether these targets are realistically achievable. This level of transparency will ensure high levels of software productivity during the development process.

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Creating initial test cases

A test case is a single set of procedures or guidelines that a tester must follow in order to verify a particular feature of a product’s or application’s functionality. The software itself will be fleshed out around these fundamental parameters. Test cases contain information in regard to what you hope to accomplish in the long run. Some of the details that these cases should highlight include:

• The name of the program.
• Its applications.
• Data values are associated with the fields that will be tested.
• The predicted results.
• The actual results.
• Any errors that occurred.
• Whether or not the test itself could be considered successful.

This information is crucial, as it will provide the insight and clarity required to determine if the software is functioning as it should. This approach also allows programmers to make any necessary changes that may be warranted.

Establish a sound strategy

Assuming that a test case has been created, the next logical step involves the type of strategy that needs to be implemented. While this roadmap will be partially based on the software itself as well as its intended applications, there are still some useful questions to address:

• What criteria will be involved during the test?
• Are there any known bugs that first need to be addressed?
• Who will be performing the testing?
• Might it be better to outsource these requirements to a third-party professional?
• What platforms will be able to support the software?
• Is it possible to implement automated testing solutions?

Select the appropriate testing tools

There is a wide range of options to choose from. The ultimate decision should revolve around the type of software being tested as well as the strategies that were mentioned in the previous section. Here are some examples of well-known utilities to consider:

• TestRail
• Xray
• Zephyr Scale
• PractiTest
• Testpad

Note that some of these bundles have been engineered to address specific parameters. For instance, TestRail is known for its cloud-based capabilities, while Zephyr Scale is suitable for those who are simultaneously running multiple test projects. It’s always a good idea to perform a fair amount of research before making the final decision.

Develop a realistic testing schedule

Logistics are always a concern when creating a viable test plan. In many cases, schedules will be segmented into several stages. Each of these can be used to achieve a specific milestone (such as eliminating preliminary bugs or interpreting the A/B results associated with a smartphone app).

This is also the stage of the process associated with deliverables. What will these involve and which ones are required during the testing process? If the test will require numerous phases, this is when responsibilities should be delegated to in-house personnel. Of course, outsourcing a project will normally eliminate some of these concerns.

Writing software test plans: All about preparation

We can now see that plenty of planning is involved when creating any type of software testing plan. Preparation is one of the keys to success as this can be a complicated process.

There may also be times when these analyses determine that it is best to outsource your requirements to a third party. Either way, knowing what is involved is the best way to avoid any errors and ensure a successful outcome.