A well-planned, properly crafted, and comprehensively documented test plan is a great reference point for testing teams. Since it is updated as the testing project progresses, it provides all stakeholders a real-time view of the project. Using the test plan, teams can ensure all testing activities are coordinated and executed correctly and in accordance with the schedule. Test plans in software testing are extremely important as they:

A test plan is a detailed reference for testers across the testing lifecycle. Creating an effective test plan requires teams to consider several aspects.

Here are the essential steps to writing a test plan:

Define the testing strategy

Defining a detailed testing strategy is the first step in writing a test plan. This strategy must mention the project objectives and the tools and resources needed to achieve them. The strategy should also include the efforts to go into the testing process and associated costs.

Determine the scope of testing

If you want to drive the best testing outcomes, you must determine your project scope and testing scope. While project scope acts as a reference point throughout the project, testing scope helps outline test boundaries. Documenting the scope early in the process can help maximize test coverage while containing the challenge of scope creep.

List the testing tools and methodologies

Another critical aspect of writing a test plan is listing the tools and methodologies. This information will help team members have a clear idea of the project while allowing them to have all the skills in place to maximize tool value and ROI.

Define testing criteria

A successful test plan must also clearly depict the testing criteria. As you list all the software features to be tested, you must also finalize and document the standards or rules governing your testing process. For instance, you can define the benchmark for suspending tests if 50% of test cases have failed. You can also establish benchmarks that signify the successful completion of a test phase or project, allowing you to move on to the next stage.

Plan resource allocation

While the testing strategy only mentions the resources, this step requires planning the allocation in detail. A comprehensive breakdown of the different types of resources required for project completion is critical. This includes human effort, equipment, and all the infrastructure needed for accurate and comprehensive testing.

Describe the test environment

Describing the test environment is also a vital aspect of the test plan. This helps to provide insight into the nature of the test environment, along with its configuration and availability. In this step, make sure to document the details of the software, operating systems, test data, test devices, test scenarios, etc.

Document the test schedule

When testing any software or feature, having a timeline in place is very important. If you want to ascertain your test schedule, you must break down the project into smaller tasks and allocate the time and effort required for each. To do this successfully, you must factor in several variables, including team availability, number of working days, etc. You must also keep some cushion for unexpected delays caused by resource unavailability, changing scope, and extended testing schedules.

Identify testing deliverables

The last step of the test plan is identifying testing deliverables. This includes the documents, tools, and other equipment needed to support testing activities. Across various stages of the testing lifecycle, you must have documents ready on the test design, test scripts, test data, and simulators. You must also use these documents to update test results, integrate defect reports, and include release notes.

In a highly competitive and volatile business environment, test planning in software testing acts as the backbone of the entire project. Without an extensive and well-crafted plan, QA engineers can get confused. Undefined goals, poorly documented strategies, and a lack of information on deadlines can derail the entire software testing project. This can hinder software quality, hamper tester morale, and delay release cycles.

As QA engineers embrace different types of software testing and advance towards test automation, following a set of guidelines can help them build an efficient test plan that effectively tests code. Embrace these steps today to yield quick test results and drive efficiency across your testing teams.