Testing Documentation in Software Testing


The documentation of objects written before or during software testing is known as test documentation. It aids the research team in decreasing commitment to testing, test coverage, resource monitoring, and implementation development, among other things. It's a comprehensive set of documents that lets you define and track test preparation, test design, test implementation, and test results resulting from testing activities. It is a comprehensive set of documents that allows you to define and document test planning, test design, test execution, and test results.

The importance of procedures for the consumer, the individual, and the business is reflected in documentation. Projects that include all papers have a high maturity level. Careful documentation can help an organization save time, effort, and money. Before stating the test execution procedure, every test engineer must prepare the essential reference document. Whenever the developers are busy writing code, we usually write the test document. The entire test execution procedure is dependent on the test document after it is completed. The fundamental goal of developing a test document is to reduce or eliminate any ambiguities about the testing process.

Types of Test Documentation

  • Test Scenario − A test scenario is a component or event of a software system that may be verified by one or more test cases.

  • Test Case − Input values, execution preconditions, expected execution postconditions, and results make up a test case. It was created as part of a test scenario.

  • Test Data − It's information gathered before the test is run. It's mostly used while we're putting the test case together. Typically, we'll have the test data in Excel sheet format, which we'll manually enter while running the test case. The test data can be used to validate the expected result, meaning that when the test data is submitted, the expected result will match the actual result, as well as to examine the application's performance by entering incorrect input data.

  • Defect Report − A defect report is a documented report of any flaw in a software system that prevents it from performing its intended function.

  • Test Summary Report − A test summary report is a high-level document that describes the testing activities performed as well as the test results.

  • Test policy − This is a high-level document that outlines the organization's testing concepts, methodologies, and objectives.

  • Test strategy − The test strategy is a high-level document that describes the test kinds (levels) that will be performed on the product, as well as the technique that will be utilized and which module will be tested. It can be approved by the Project Manager. Multiple components are included, such as documentation formats, objectives, test methods, scope, and customer communication strategy, among others. We are unable to alter the test strategy.

  • Test Plan − It is a document that is created by the test lead or managers. It contains all information pertaining to the testing procedures. Objectives, Scope, Approach, Test Environments, Test methodology, Template, Role & Responsibility, Effort estimation, Entry and Exit criteria, Schedule, Tools, Defect tracking, Test Deliverable, Assumption, Risk, and Mitigation Plan or Contingency Plan are some of the components of a test plan.

  • Requirements Traceability Matrix − Requirements Traceability Matrix is a document that links the requirements to the test cases.

Need of Documentation

If the testing or development team receives software that isn't working properly and was built by someone else, the team will first need a document to track out the problem. If the documents are available, the team will examine the documentation to determine the reason of the issue. However, if the documentation are not available, the tester will have to repeat the black box and white box testing, wasting the organization's time and money. In addition, a lack of documentation creates a barrier to adoption.

Is testing a Software is a Formality

Testing is sometimes misunderstood by newcomers as ad-hoc execution of various sections of code and verification of the results. However, in the actual world, testing is a very formal activity that is meticulously documented. Test documentation makes testing planning, review, and execution simple and verifiable.

The degree of test formality is determined by the type of application being tested, the organization's testing standards, and the degree to which the development process has matured.

Testing activities often take up 30 to 50 percent of the time spent on a software development project. Documentation aids in identifying improvements to the Test process that may be implemented to future projects.

Best ways to achieve Test documentation successfully

The best ways to get test documentation is to follow the best practices −

  • The QA team should be involved from the start of the project to ensure that Test Documentation is developed concurrently.

  • Don't just create a document and forget about it; keep it up to date as needed.

  • To manage and track your documents, use version control.

  • Try to write down what you'll need to comprehend your task and what you'll need to deliver to your stakeholders.

  • For documentation, you should utilize a common template such as an excel sheet or a Word document.

  • Keep all of your project-related documents in one place. Every team member should have access to it for reference and to update it as needed.

  • When designing a test document, another typical mistake is not providing enough description.

Merits of Test Documentation

  • The quality of procedures and aims is clarified by documentation.

  • When a customer employs a software program, it ensures internal coordination.

  • It provides clarity regarding task and performance steadiness.

  • It gives feedback on actions that are preventative in nature.

  • It gives you feedback on your planning process.

  • It generates objective evidence of the quality management system's effectiveness.

  • We can't forget the values we entered in the first phase when writing the test document.

  • It's also a time-saving method because we can refer to the text material quickly.

  • We'll test on the same value, so it'll be consistent

  • Displaying Test Documentation to demonstrate a mature testing process is also a fantastic marketing and sales approach.

  • Test documentation enables you to provide a high-quality product to your client within a set of deadlines.

  • Through the configuration document and operator manuals, Test Documentation aids in the configuration or setup of the software in Software Engineering.

  • Test documentation aids in increasing client transparency.

Demerits of Test Documentation

  • It is a bit tiresome because we have to maintain the modification provided by the customer and parallel change in the document.

  • Some of the time it is written by that person who does not have the product knowledge.

  • Some of the times the expense of the document will be exceeding its value.

  • As a result of a misunderstanding between the client and the business, poor documentation immediately reflects the product's quality

Brief

  • Test documentation is a collection of artefacts prepared prior to or during software testing.

  • The degree of formality in a test is determined by

    • the type of application being tested.

    • Your company's policies and procedures

    • the development process's maturity.

  • Test policy, Test strategy, Test plan, and Test case are examples of important types of test documents.

  • The QA team should be involved from the start of the project to ensure that Test Documentation is developed concurrently.

  • The basic goal of test documentation is to either lessen or eliminate any uncertainty about the testing process.

  • Because it is time-consuming, the expense of the documentation may outweigh its worth.

Updated on: 13-Jul-2021

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