Test Strategy Vs Test Plan – What’s the Difference?

Software Testing Automation Testing Testing Tools

A test plan and a test strategy aren't necessarily interchangeable, even though they're both important parts of the QA process. So, how can you tell the difference between a test strategy and a test plan? When should you employ a strategy and when should you utilize a plan?

The overall standard for testing operations is established by a test strategy. A test plan, on the other hand, specifies the QA procedure and roles in depth.

The importance of test plans

Any test strategy should provide a solid framework for decision-making, such as deadlines or short-order requests. It boosts productivity, especially when time is limited.

Communication among team members, stakeholders, and everyone else on board is also aided by plans. This intercommunication provides the necessary input and influence for the documentation phases.

Another benefit of a well-crafted test strategy is that it aids teams in achieving a smooth workflow by simplifying communication and expectations.

It also allows for quick change adaption. The process of generating and executing particular ideas automatically raises awareness for all collaborators when testing plans are adequately established.

The importance of test tactics

Planning without strategizing is like driving a car without wheels: you put in the effort, but you don't go anywhere. All of the essential aspects of a plan tailored to the product's success and life cycle are referred to as strategy.

By developing test strategies, teams have a better understanding of how to do testing. Each team member's allocated duties, required resources, and the testing time period are all included in the test techniques.

What is the definition of a test strategy?

The Test strategy document is a high-level document that specifies the Software Development Life Cycle's testing technique and validates the test types or levels to be conducted for the product.

We can't change the test strategy after it's been created, and it's been accepted by the Project Manager and development team. In addition, the test strategy provides the following information, which is required when writing the test document −

What is the alternative technique that must be used?
Which module will be put to the test?
What are the requirements for admittance and exit?
What kind of testing should be carried out?

To put it another way, it's a document that explains how we go about evaluating the product. And the techniques may be developed using the following factors −

Whether or not to automate
From the standpoint of a resource

On the basis of the development design papers, we may construct the test strategy.

The following papers are included in the development design document −

Documents pertaining to the system design: These papers will mostly be used to build the test strategy.
Design papers are used to outline the software features that will be enabled in a future version.
Conceptual design papers: These are the documents that we don't utilize very often.

The Goal of the Test Strategy

The fundamental goal of designing a test strategy is to ensure that all purposes are fully covered and understood by all stakeholders. We should build a test plan in a methodical manner.

In addition, the goal of a test strategy is to assist different quality assurance stakeholders with resource planning, terminology, test and integration levels, traceability, roles and duties, and so on.

Characteristics of a Test Strategy Document

SDLC stands for Software Development Life Cycle (Software Development Life Cycle)

The test strategy document is crucial in this regard. It covers a wide range of topics, including who will do the testing, what will be tested, how it will be completed, and what risks and events will be associated with it.

The following individuals have authorized and evaluated the test strategy document −

The lead of the Test Team
Manager of Development
Manager of Quality Analysts
Manager of Products
The test strategy document describes the resources, scope, plan, technique, and so on for various testing tasks.
It is utilized by the project test team once it is available or finished to dictate how testing will be accomplished.
The BRS (Business Requirements Specifications) papers are the primary source of information.
The test strategy document is a high-level document that is normally constant, meaning that it is not changed often and ineffectively.
With the aid of a test strategy document, the appropriate team easily achieves the testing goals.
With the aid of the test plan document, the appropriate team easily achieves the testing goals.

Software Test Plan Vs Software Test Strategy

The following table illustrates the differences between test plans and tactics.

	Test Plan	Test Strategy
Goal	Simply state the test's goal and scope of coverage.	Provides greater information on how to do testing.
Bottomline	Examines the chances of reaching a goal as well as the risks involved.	When there's a bigger picture than a single project, this is the way to go.
Use	It was only used for one project and was never used again.	It's a term that's more often used at the top of organizations and isn't always linked to the success of a single project.
Content	The test's aim is listed in the documentation, as well as who is in charge of testing.	What procedures to utilize and what places to investigate are detailed in the documentation.
Susceptibility to Changes	It is fluid and adaptable to change.	It has more restrictions and is more difficult to change.
Overseer	It is overseen by the test manager.	The project manager is normally in charge of compiling the test strategy.

Example of a test plan and strategy structure

So far, we've looked at the benefits of test plans and strategies as well as the contrasts between the two. Let's have a look at an illustration.

Note − The following information is provided only for illustration reasons.

Use this course to see how to develop a test strategy or plan.

The Goal of the Document

[Explain why this document is being created, who the intended audience is, and what the work's ultimate goal is.]

1. The purpose of the test

We should be able to comprehend the following as part of the exam objective

1.1. The product being evaluated

[In this part, you should explain the application that is being tested.] [At the very least, provide a general notion and links to its specs.]

1.2. The scope of the testing

[A list of the features/areas that will be tested]

1st feature
2nd Feature

1.3. Excluded from the scope

[Create a list of regions and features that will not be tested. It should also explain why some locations are not subject to testing.]

Area 1: Justification
Area 2: Justification

2. Strategy for Testing

The following information should be included in the test strategy document −

2.1. Definitions of Test Types

[Use this section to clarify the specifics of testing to persons who are unfamiliar with the procedure.] If your consumer isn't familiar with testing in depth, include it; otherwise, leave it out. The section explains which testing kinds will be utilized to test the product, as well as the testing goals and beliefs for each type. Additional kinds are provided as examples and should be adjusted/extended to reflect reality]

Level: System Feature Testing

[When it's required to examine and confirm that product features are applying business logic, this testing is utilized.] This includes all aspects of the characteristic, such as good and bad results, as well as side effects.]

The acceptance level of product regression testing

[When it's required to verify and guarantee that new product features don't disrupt current business logic], use this command.]

2.2. Methodology for Testing

[This is a critical portion.] You should describe how the testing procedure is carried out in this section. It should clarify where to start and what happens next, as well as what consequences may be anticipated when procedures are completed. I'm keeping this abstract here so you can see how to explain it since it varies from project to project.]

2.3. The Process of Execution

[Define how testing execution will be logically executed, i.e., whether it will be a series of tests or a single fluid 'endless' process]

2.3.1. Criteria for [Entry/Resumption]

[A set of criteria that specifies when the testing process begins or resumes, indicating that the build or environment is now being tested]

1st Criteria
2nd Criteria

2.3.2. Criteria for [Exit/Suspension]

[A set of criteria that defines when the testing process is exited or suspended, indicating that the build or environment is no longer being tested]

1st Criteria
2nd Criteria

3. Leadership

Deliverables (section 3.1)

[Decide on a list of things and stages that will result in a result as a consequence of those phases. Test plans, test suites, results, and other materials should be kept here.]

Item | Stage - a description or remark
Item 2 | Stage - yet another remark

3.2. Software-Related Risks

[Identify the critical/risky locations that may need more testing resources or result in a testing outage.]

3.3. Project timelines

[Decide when each scheduled action should be followed; this may be a dateless on process dependent list as well.]

3.4. Tools that were used

[Define the tools that will be utilized to complete the testing procedure.]

3.5. Environmental Concerns

[Identify which hardware/3rd-party components are required to meet the criteria. [It refers to the location where the product will be evaluated.]

3.6 Engineers

3.6.1 Responsibilities and roles

[Determine who is accountable for what, such as supplying goods or performing tasks.]

3.6.2 Requirements for personnel and training

[If necessary, define here]

This is simply one method for creating a test strategy and plan. The structure of the plan and strategy, like every other part of testing, is dynamic. Maintain it on a regular basis, particularly if any adjustments are required.

Conclusion

Many individuals are unable to differentiate between a Test plan and a Test strategy. With the distinction indicated above, we sought to highlight how similar, but different, they are.

Both are critical components of any testing procedure. In general, the test strategy aids in the planning of the test procedure, while the test plan is utilized to carry out the test method (in the specific case).

Vineet Nanda

Updated on 26-Nov-2021 05:32:43

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