Test plan is in high demand. Ya it should be! Test plan reflects your entire project testing schedule and approach. This article is in response to those who have demanded sample test plan.
In my previous article I have outlined Test plan Index. In this article I will elaborate that index to what each point mean to do. So this Test plan will include the purpose of test plan i. e to prescribe 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.
Find what actually you need to include in each index point.
I have included link to download PDF format of this test plan template at the end of this post.
Test Plan Template:
(Name of the Product)
Prepared by:
(Names of Preparers)
(Date)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.0 INTRODUCTION
2.0 OBJECTIVES AND TASKS
2.1 Objectives
2.2 Tasks
3.0 SCOPE
4.0 Testing Strategy
4.1 Alpha Testing (Unit Testing)
4.2 System and Integration Testing
4.3 Performance and Stress Testing
4.4 User Acceptance Testing
4.5 Batch Testing
4.6 Automated Regression Testing
4.7 Beta Testing
5.0 Hardware Requirements
6.0 Environment Requirements
6.1 Main Frame
6.2 Workstation
7.0 Test Schedule
8.0 Control Procedures
9.0 Features to Be Tested
10.0 Features Not to Be Tested
11.0 Resources/Roles & Responsibilities
12.0 Schedules
13.0 Significantly Impacted Departments (SIDs)
14.0 Dependencies
15.0 Risks/Assumptions
16.0 Tools
17.0 Approvals
1.0 INTRODUCTION
A brief summary of the product being tested. Outline all the functions at a high level.
2.0 OBJECTIVES AND TASKS
2.1 Objectives
Describe the objectives supported by the Master Test Plan, eg., defining tasks and responsibilities, vehicle for communication, document to be used as a service level agreement, etc.
2.2 Tasks
List all tasks identified by this Test Plan, i.e., testing, post-testing, problem reporting, etc.
3.0 SCOPE
General
This section describes what is being tested, such as all the functions of a specific product, its existing interfaces, integration of all functions.
Tactics
List here how you will accomplish the items that you have listed in the “Scope” section. For example, if you have mentioned that you will be testing the existing interfaces, what would be the procedures you would follow to notify the key people to represent their respective areas, as well as allotting time in their schedule for assisting you in accomplishing your activity?
4.0 TESTING STRATEGY
Describe the overall approach to testing. For each major group of features or feature combinations, specify the approach which will ensure that these feature groups are adequately tested. Specify the major activities, techniques, and tools which are used to test the designated groups of features.
The approach should be described in sufficient detail to permit identification of the major testing tasks and estimation of the time required to do each one.
4.1 Unit Testing
Definition:
Specify the minimum degree of comprehensiveness desired. Identify the techniques which will be used to judge the comprehensiveness of the testing effort (for example, determining which statements have been executed at least once). Specify any additional completion criteria (for example, error frequency). The techniques to be used to trace requirements should be specified.
Participants:
List the names of individuals/departments who would be responsible for Unit Testing.
Methodology:
Describe how unit testing will be conducted. Who will write the test scripts for the unit testing, what would be the sequence of events of Unit Testing and how will the testing activity take place?
4.2 System and Integration Testing
Definition:
List what is your understanding of System and Integration Testing for your project.
Participants:
Who will be conducting System and Integration Testing on your project? List the individuals that will be responsible for this activity.
Methodology:
Describe how System & Integration testing will be conducted. Who will write the test scripts for the unit testing, what would be sequence of events of System & Integration Testing, and how will the testing activity take place?
4.3 Performance and Stress Testing
Definition:
List what is your understanding of Stress Testing for your project.
Participants:
Who will be conducting Stress Testing on your project? List the individuals that will be responsible for this activity.
Methodology:
Describe how Performance & Stress testing will be conducted. Who will write the test scripts for the testing, what would be sequence of events of Performance & Stress Testing, and how will the testing activity take place?
4.4 User Acceptance Testing
Definition:
The purpose of acceptance test is to confirm that the system is ready for operational use. During acceptance test, end-users (customers) of the system compare the system to its initial requirements.
Participants:
Who will be responsible for User Acceptance Testing? List the individuals’ names and responsibility.
Methodology:
Describe how the User Acceptance testing will be conducted. Who will write the test scripts for the testing, what would be sequence of events of User Acceptance Testing, and how will the testing activity take place?
4.5 Batch Testing
4.6 Automated Regression Testing
Definition:
Regression testing is the selective retesting of a system or component to verify that modifications have not caused unintended effects and that the system or component still works as specified in the requirements.
Participants:
Methodology:
4.7 Beta Testing
Participants:
Methodology:
5.0 HARDWARE REQUIREMENTS
Computers
Modems
6.0 ENVIRONMENT REQUIREMENTS
6.1 Main Frame
Specify both the necessary and desired properties of the test environment. The specification should contain the physical characteristics of the facilities, including the hardware, the communications and system software, the mode of usage (for example, stand-alone), and any other software or supplies needed to support the test. Also specify the level of security which must be provided for the test facility, system software, and proprietary components such as software, data, and hardware.
Identify special test tools needed. Identify any other testing needs (for example, publications or office space). Identify the source of all needs which are not currently available to your group.
6.2 Workstation
7.0 TEST SCHEDULE
Include test milestones identified in the Software Project Schedule as well as all item transmittal events.
Define any additional test milestones needed. Estimate the time required to do each testing task. Specify the schedule for each testing task and test milestone. For each testing resource (that is, facilities, tools, and staff), specify its periods of use.
8.0 CONTROL PROCEDURES
Problem Reporting
Document the procedures to follow when an incident is encountered during the testing process. If a standard form is going to be used, attach a blank copy as an “Appendix” to the Test Plan. In the event you are using an automated incident logging system, write those procedures in this section.
Change Requests
Document the process of modifications to the software. Identify who will sign off on the changes and what would be the criteria for including the changes to the current product. If the changes will affect existing programs, these modules need to be identified.
9.0 FEATURES TO BE TESTED
Identify all software features and combinations of software features that will be tested.
10.0 FEATURES NOT TO BE TESTED
Identify all features and significant combinations of features which will not be tested and the reasons.
11.0 RESOURCES/ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Specify the staff members who are involved in the test project and what their roles are going to be (for example, Mary Brown (User) compile Test Cases for Acceptance Testing). Identify groups responsible for managing, designing, preparing, executing, and resolving the test activities as well as related issues. Also identify groups responsible for providing the test environment. These groups may include developers, testers, operations staff, testing services, etc.
12.0 SCHEDULES
Major Deliverables
Identify the deliverable documents. You can list the following documents:
- Test Plan
- Test Cases
- Test Incident Reports
- Test Summary Reports
13.0 SIGNIFICANTLY IMPACTED DEPARTMENTS (SIDs)
Department/Business Area Bus. Manager Tester(s)
14.0 DEPENDENCIES
Identify significant constraints on testing, such as test-item availability, testing-resource availability, and deadlines.
15.0 RISKS/ASSUMPTIONS
Identify the high-risk assumptions of the test plan. Specify contingency plans for each (for example, delay in delivery of test items might require increased night shift scheduling to meet the delivery date).
16.0 TOOLS
List the Automation tools you are going to use. List also the Bug tracking tool here.
17.0 APPROVALS
Specify the names and titles of all persons who must approve this plan. Provide space for the signatures and dates.
Name (In Capital Letters) Signature Date
1.
2.
3.
4.
You can also Download this Sample Test plan Template
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88 comments ↓
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Thanks….
I was in one of group those demanded sample Test Plan. so thanks a lot for agin.
thanks
I gain idea about the basic test plan requirements. can you please provide me any basic application or system test plan example which is implemented in software companies, so that we get clear idea about the test plan ?
[…] You can visit the latest updated article on Sample Test plan. You can also download pdf file version of this Test plan template on this post. […]
I found this site very useful, You are doing a great job for new commerce.
thanks
i found the test plan which is very easy and understandable…
can you please provide me bug tracking report format , so that i get how to submit bug to developer
hi,
i am planning to do software testing course from long back.but i am still in confusion which institute will be the best in bangalore. and which institute is giving placement assistance? can i do both manual and automation? what is the difference? pls let me know which will not involve programming. i dont want to get into programming.pls let me know which will suit me. or shall i concentrate only in one course.either manual or automation. thanks.
what is test strategy,test methodology, automation test plan?
what is tracesability matrix?Give me template for this?
i need some traing abt automated testing
@ manjunath - Thanks for making me to write article on Bug life cycle (http://www.softwaretestinghelp.com/bug-life-cycle/) This is actually base for my next article “Writing a good bug report”. I will write it soon.
@ anjana - If you don’t want to go for Programming language then its useless to think about Automation testing. So you have only one option of Manual testing which may restrict your career.
@ sricharan - Diff. In short- Test strategy describes the overall testing approach i.e how to test? Test strategy comes under test plan.
Test plan defines Scope, approach and what to test?
@ reddy - traceability matrix is used to map the user requirements with the deliverables. We can use traceability matrix for mapping user level requirements to functional requirements and also for verifying system specifications. You can use a simple excel sheet having two columns of requirement and traceability to maintain traceability matrix.
Kindly gimme some help documents through whichi start automation testing, as i have good backgroung of programming languages
can anyone please explain me about the traceability matrix template. .i want the format of ttm template
what is static testing and dynamic testing?exp with example
Hi
Still this is more usefull than the other ones but it’s great if you all can provide us template in dco or excel format.
Thank you
Hi,
Can any one forward sample test plans and test reports for Safety critical project
Thanks in advance
*If my earlier message was posted please disregards this*
Above template of the test plan was very useful.
I am required to create an automation test plan.It would be very helpful if i can get a template of this automated test plan.
Thanks in advance.
JAS
Can any one explain me the contents of Traceability matrix and its Templates?
Is there a specific format of Traceability Matrix. Should tester made it by Use Cases or SRS?
Hi
I am pavani and have recently joined as tester. Presently I am testing a web based application where in I am assigned to do Funcional testing., I have some questions like
1)is there any format we need to follow to prepare TRM
2) how do we create Test beds for automating test cases?
Hi Kavitha,
Static Testing: Testing the application without running the application. Nothing but testing the Documents like Business Requirement Specification, Functional Specifications and other testing documents whether the mentioned requirements and functionalities are complete or not. Ex: Testing the documents Test Case document for checking whether it covers the full functional flow of the applications or not.
Dynamic Testing: Testing the application by running it currently. Ex: Testing the applications whether it meets all the functionalities mentioned in the Functional Specifications by running the Test Cases which are generated against the Requirements of the client.
Hi Venky,
thank you for your reply. . .
may i know the differnce between test strategy and test plan. . does test strategy comes within test plan?
hi
i want to know the real time test case model plz send any one
how to get job in testing
i have completed my msc in 2003 i am learning testingtools
i want to know the real time test case model plz send any one
what is trm . could u plese define this . how it should use in test plan?
I am not from s/w dev background; i am basically from quality assurance; can i get involved in software testing? what are the pre requisites .
what is the pre requisite for software testing ?.
If any experience people can teach me qtp tools and how to write a testplan in realtime project(i will pay you 4000rs)for you guys contact palsalim@gmail.com mobile 9840295153
hi shibini
send me updates
Hi
I AM HANSAL. LOOKING FOR A JOB IN TELECOM SOFTWARE TESTING FIELD. SO CAN ANYBODY GIVE ME SOME WEBSITES WHERE I CAN GET SOME GOOD PROJECTS .PLEASE HELP ME . I NEED SOME PROJECT DETAIL OF GSM,UMTS .
hansal.moitra@gmail.com
THIS IS MY MAIL ID
Hi,Can anybody pls let me know “what is the actual need for test strategy when there is test Plan?”Why is test plan needed?
hi i am sethuraman, presently i am doing a software testing courses in STC. I like to do some projects related in automation tools of Winrunner and QTP. thereby i am in need of some sample SRS. if u have any relevant SRS, send to me, thereby its useful to do some projects.
Same time, can u give a weblink to take a model online exams in software testing.
Thanks Vijay,
It was a lot of help in the Test plan topic.
Good work, keep it up.
-Ashish
Hi Vijay,
I like the web-site very much. It is very useful.
What I understand is that different interpretations are given by different professional :
E.g :
Test Strategy & Test Plan
Test Strategy may be a higher level document where in it may contain various Test Plans (Strategy may include plans for integration testing, system testing, user acceptance testing, etc)
E.g : Static Testing
When I go through articles under static testing the entire life cycle activities such as various reviews, audits, etc are covered.
I get confused. Is there any standard where in specific definitions are given so as remove ambiguity.
Can you please define a role of QA in a Software Testing Service Orgn?
Thank you for your immence service. Like to interact more.
Regards
Nagesh
Can anyone help me regarding switching the software comapny.I want to know if anyone has experince in Junit and manual testing after 2 yrs of experience in software industry,is his knowledge enough to switch or need to gain more and then switch.
Can anyone help me out with the templates for load testing, capacity planning and volume testing…??
I need to knw the difference between them also..
Hi,
Test Plan : It contains all (like Introduction, scope, s/w req. h/w req, ,…etc…).
But it is not necessary that all should be followed in TEST STRATEGY for any of the new project, where we can modify according to the Client or Project requirements.
TESTPLAN: It is the set of rules made for the company
TEST STRATEGY:By Modifying the testplan according to the Client, TEST STRATEGY comes into picture, here we may not follow all the rules. If you have still any doubts oe related to Manual testing., you can contact me @santoshpalvai@yahoo.com..
Hope so, it cleared ur doubt..
Hi,
Anyone can send me the template to do estimation (Test Point ANalysis).
I will appreciate the reply.
@Harpreet Kalra,
Please Provide your Email id i will send you the template and i’m in need of an appreciation.
please send template
Hi, My email Id is kalraharpreet@gmail.com
Please send me different type of template to do TPA if you have different. Or If you can also send me the templates to have the High Level Estimations of Tsting…
I really Appreciate.
Thanks,
Harpreet
Testing metrics templates and description for all types of metrics collected
Hi Sujatha,
Test Plan : It contains all (like Introduction, scope, s/w req. h/w req, ,…etc…).
But it is not necessary that all should be followed in TEST STRATEGY for any of the new project, where we can modify according to the Client or Project requirements.
TESTPLAN: It is the set of rules made for the company
TEST STRATEGY:By Modifying the testplan according to the Client, TEST STRATEGY comes into picture, here we may not follow all the rules. If you have still any doubts oe related to Manual testing., you can contact me @santoshpalvai@yahoo.com..
Hope so, it cleared ur doubt..
Hi Sujatha,
This is suresh working as a Test Engineer i think better you visit following Sites these are most helpful for you www.stickyminds.com, www.qastreet.com, www.sqa-guide.com, www.testinggeek.com.
Thanks,
Suresh Balakrishnan.
I don’t know how to write scope for integration testing Besides, I somehow mix the objectives with acceptance criteria. Could anyone clear me about those please?
Thanks in Advance
I have done my B.Sc.(Chemistry). & also done my software testing diploma in SQTL. I am fresher & wants jobs in testing.
But please request to my all friends dont join SQTL.
Because they dont have any placement. Don’t join SQTL.
Don’t join SQTL.
can any help me how to start my career in software testing
Test Plan and Test strategy documents are extremely important in any project. Both documents are usually frozen at the beginning of the test engagement, but do under constant changes and revisions. We can call both documents to be live documents.
The basic difference between the two is as below:
Test plan is a document that contains list of activities that would be a part of testing the application (AUT). A test plan contains the following details:
1.Details on the Environment
2.Details on the application and Scope of Testing
3.Different phases of testing involved in the test project:
i. Unit Testing - Responsibility & Exit criteria
ii. System Testing - Responsibility & Exit criteria
iii. Integration testing - Responsibility & Exit criteria
iv. UAT / Business User Testing - Responsibility & Exit criteria
4. Environment Cycle plan & Batch calendar plan
5. Resource Requirement across each phases of testing
6. Test Deliverables
7. Test team skills, requirements, roles & responsibilities.
8. Details on resource ramp up and ramp down
9. Details of the availability of hardware and support software requirement.
10. Details on training needs
11. Risks and mitigation
12. Contingency plan
Test Strategy – Test Strategy is a document that talks about how the testing is to be carried out across each phase. Take for example, in Unit testing phase test strategy would define entry and exit criteria along with ways and means of how the module would be unit tested. Test Strategy would vary from phases to phase since same strategy cannot be followed for two phases keeping in mind no two phases of testing are similar.
So, eventually Test Plan is a parent document the contain test strategy as a child document.
The perception of test plan and test strategy would vary from organization to organization and even project to project.
Regards,
Arun
www.focustesting.com
Can any one explain about QTP Frame work?
Hi Deepesh
At my company we have worked with various customers, some of whom use traceability matrices, and I don’t think there is any standard format. Some populate tables by hand in MS Word specifications containing requirement tags for example.
We prefer to auto-generate a requirements traceability matrix using an in-house tool (www.pixref.com), and there are other tools on the market. Our tool trawls through the specification and implementation files searching for requirement tags, and automatically lists which match and which do not.
Cheers
Guys,
Does anybody have a Project Classification documents… i.e. project falls on which category, it’s small or medium project…. etc.
Please send the documents to - karthik@when.com
Thanks in advance!
Karthik
What are the Eliverables? Explain with examples.
The above question is spelled wrong
What are the Deliverables?Explain with examples.
[…] requirement specification) project plan is developed. The responsibility of testers is to create software test plan from this SRS and project plan. Developers start coding from the design. The project work is […]
Hi
I wish to know about Master Test Plan (Strategic Test Plan) and how is it different from the normal test-plan that is made for each level 1) unit testing 2) Integration Testing 3) System Testing and 4) Acceptance Testing?
Is Strategic/ Master Test Plan ever made in Practical Testing Environment? Why is Master Test Plan necessary? How is it different from Actual Test Plan? What are the different Criteria that go into the making of Master Test Plan? Who is involved in Making a Master Test Plan? How many Years of work-expereince in required before a Test-Engineer starts designing a Master Test Plan? Kindly email me the reply to
email id : subu_scorpio@yahoo.com
Hi!
Can anybody in the forum tell the difference between Strategic Test Plan and ordinary test Plan? Kindly explain what is the Master or Strategic Test Plan means?
email id: subu_scorpio@yahoo.com
Can any one provide me a real time sample of a test plan? Thanks In advance
Hi
Anyone tell a test case for registration page to createa user for osa.com
Hi Anuradha,
Wht you see is what the testplan contains. Still if you feel that you are not satisfied with that , then i would def provide you the real time testplan.
Thanks,
Santosh Palvai
anybody can reach me @ santoshpalavi@yahoo.com
Plz provide sample validation reports for software products ASAP.
Can any one provide me a real time sample of a test plan? Thanks
saurabh
Can somebody please recommend a site where I can get a sample of a test case or send me a sample of at test case. Thanks Memory
I don’t know if copying chunks of text out of a well known standard is plaigarism, but at least citing it as a reference may make you look a little more legit.
Best of luck.
Oh that standard, if anyone is interested, is:
IEEE Std 829-1998
“also known as the 829 Standard for Software Test Documentation”
Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IEEE_829 (Date: 05/04/2009)
Thank you very much for sample test plan.
It is very helpful.
Hi friends,
I am doing manual testing and performing load test by using jmeter test tool. can u tell me how to prepare the performance- load test report..
with regards
sundar
can anyone explain what is test design doc & test plan.
how it differs.
hello!
———————–
3 Principal Test Documents
———————–
1. Test Policy (Organisation Level)
- Very High Level Document
- What “Testing” means for organisation
- How organisation measures test success
- Relatively static document (Changes when organisation’s focus changes)
- Developed by IT department
2. Test Strategy (Programme Level)
- Applicable for a Programme/System which covers multiple projects
- Objective/Scope of Testing
- Inscope/Out of scope Items for testing
- Test Levels (Unit/Module/System/Integration)
- Test Types ( Functional/Non-Functional)
- Entry/Exit/Stop/Resumption Criteria for testing (for different Levels/Phases)
- Risks to be addressed
- Test Environment
- Test case design methodology (Specification driven/BVA/EQ Parttition)
- Test methodology ( Top-down/bottom-up/risk based)
- Test Automation Approach
- Test Tools to be used
- Defect Management approach
- Defect classification
- Retesting & regression approach
3. Test Plan (Project Level)
- All above points specific for this project
- Test Estimation & Test schedule
- Test Organisation/roles/responsibilities
- Test deliverables
- Test reporting
hi..this site is very useful..
This is good site about testplan and testing stratergy.
I want to know the following things regarding Test Plan.
1. When preparation of test plan start?
2. How the resource, deadline gets estimated? Is there any sceintific approach or any technique used for estimation of all this things?
Plaes reply on this as I want to understand the testplan in detail.
Thanks in advance.
Vishal
hi vishal
Here are the answers for your questions
1)Test plan should be started immediately after the requirements are available. It should be flexible enough so that if the requirements gets changed, then the plan should also be changed accordingly
2)a)Scheduling is based on the project deadlines.
b)Resource estimation is based on the project size. In general QA resources are half the development team size. Also you need to prepare Staffing matrix which can give you idea of how many resources are required for a particular module. For example, if there are 3 modules in a project then you can hire 3 persons, one for each module. Similarly you can also categorize by type of testing.
Guys
Can you please send me the template to do estimation using Test Point ANalysis. Harpeet or George, I see you both discussing on this as well.
Thanks
Selvan
Guys
Can you please send me the template to do estimation using Test Point ANalysis to selvan.kandiar@gmail.com. Harpeet or George, I see you both discussing on this as well.
Thanks
Selvan
any one tell me.
1) What is diff b/n unit testing and white box testing(WBT) and it have any related link and WB tester can test the unit testing and voice versa?.
2)how can test acceptance testing without alpha and beta testing(that is end user)
Hi Anadhan,
1. Unit testing is usually done by developers where they will be testing every function point/unit which they are developing before it is being integrated to other application. White box testing can be conducted by a developer or a tester, white box testing is conducted with the motive of identifying/pointing a defect/bug exactly where inside the code.
2. Alpha testing is usually called first phase of testing, where it will be tested within the project team like unit testing, FVT (functional verification testing), system testing. Beta testing is the one executed along with the end user, usually called User Acceptance Testing or Certification testing. It cannot be executed without the end user.
plz anyone send me a some example of test cases ,so i can get what the exact idea of it?
Hi all i am looking for Agile Testing Process and Agile Test Plan Templates.
hi,
i am planning to do software testing course from long back.but i am still in confusion which institute will be the best in bangalore. and which institute is giving placement assistance? can i do both manual and automation? what is the difference? pls let me know which will not involve programming. i dont want to get into programming.pls let me know which will suit me. or shall i concentrate only in one course.either manual or automation. thanks.
hi
am doing final mca project for testing managment so i need for test plan fields formats .
Hi,
I wants to know about the Certification in software testing for beginners??
Its duration,fees,how to apply,which website provide online training for the same.
Hi Rachna
Beginner certificate in Testing would be ISTQB. Once you finish this, you can try for CSTE or CSQA
Thanks
Siva
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