Navigating the QA Roadmap: Understanding Test Plan vs Test Strategy

Roman Balakin

What is a Test Plan?

A test plan is a comprehensive document that outlines the various aspects and activities of software testing. It serves as a crucial foundation for the testing process, clearly describing the test strategy, objectives, schedule, required resources (including human resources, software, and hardware), estimation, and deliverables. A test plan can be seen as an instruction manual or guide that directs the testing effort. It specifies the testing objectives (what needs to be verified and validated), the scope of testing (what will and won’t be tested), and provides a detailed or high-level schedule of the testing activities. The test plan also includes a list of anticipated risks and their respective levels, enabling prioritization of testing based on risk assessment. Defining the necessary resources is one of the most critical aspects of a test plan. These resources encompass human elements (such as testing team members) and technical elements (such as test environments, tools, and data).

Purpose

The primary purpose of a test plan is to create documentation that outlines how the QA tester will verify that the system functions according to the planned specifications. It also ensures that all functional and design requirements are effectively executed in the documentation. By developing a test plan, team members can collaborate efficiently, communicating their responsibilities and roles. The test plan addresses key “how” questions related to the testing process, including how functional tests will be conducted, how the test strategy will be implemented, the number of test cycles planned, strategies for managing potential threats, the execution and performance of testing, and the criteria for concluding the testing process.

Key Components

The key parts of a test plan typically include the following:

• Introduction: Provides an overview of the test plan and its purpose.
• Test Objectives: Defines the specific goals and objectives of the testing effort.
• Test Scope: Identifies the software’s features, functionalities, or components to be tested.
• Test Approach: Outlines the overall approach to be followed for testing, including test levels, types, and techniques.
• Test Environment: Describes the hardware, software, and network configurations required for testing.
• Test Schedule: Specifies the timeline and milestones for the testing activities.
• Test Deliverables: Identifies the documents and artifacts that will be produced during testing, such as test cases, reports, and logs.
• Test Resources: Describes the resources needed for testing, including personnel, tools, and equipment.
• Test Risks: Identifies potential risks, their impact on the testing process, and mitigation strategies.
• Test Execution: Defines the processes and procedures for executing tests, including test case prioritization, data management, and defect reporting.
• Test Exit Criteria: Establishes the criteria that must be met to conclude testing and proceed to the next phase or release.
• Test Dependencies: Identifies any dependencies or prerequisites necessary for testing, such as external systems or data.
• Test Management and Communication: Outlines the roles, responsibilities, and communication channels among the testing team and stakeholders.
• Test Metrics and Reporting: Specifies the metrics to be collected during testing and the reporting formats for test results.
• Change and Version Control: Describes how changes to the test plan will be managed and tracked.

Types of Test Plans

Different types of test plans can be created based on a software project’s specific needs and objectives. Here are some common types of test plans:

• Level-Specific Test Plans: These test plans are developed for each level or type of testing, such as unit testing, integration testing, system testing, and acceptance testing. They outline the specific testing activities and approaches relevant to each level.
• Type-Specific Test Plans: These detailed plans are tailored for specific types of testing, such as functional testing, performance testing, security testing, among others. They provide specific guidelines and strategies for conducting the particular kind of test.
• Master Test Plan: This comprehensive document serves as a high-level overview of the product’s goals and objectives. It encapsulates all the other test plans related to the product, providing a unified vision and framework for the testing effort.

What is a Test Strategy?

A test strategy is a comprehensive set of instructions, guidelines, and principles that dictate the design and execution of the testing process. It establishes the standards and framework for testing activities and serves as a basis for documents like test plans. The strategy encompasses the testing methodology, scope, objectives, customer communication strategy, documentation formats, test processes, risk analysis, release control, and approval criteria. The test strategy provides a high-level view of the software testing approach, ensuring that risks are mitigated, appropriate testing criteria are applied, and the necessary types of testing are performed. It allows project managers, software developers, and QA experts to understand critical aspects of the process. The test strategy serves as a “big picture” view of the testing efforts, describing the “what” and “why” of the test. It validates the types or levels of testing to be executed for the product and outlines the testing approach within the Software Development Life Cycle. Once the test strategy is written, it should not be modified without approval from the Project Manager and development team.

Purpose

The primary objective of a test strategy is to ensure comprehensive coverage and understanding among stakeholders, emphasizing the importance of a systematic approach. It supports various quality assurance stakeholders in resource planning, test levels, traceability, language, roles, and responsibilities. The test strategy provides a clear understanding of the overall approach, tools, targets, and timing of test activities. It addresses key project-specific tasks and challenges while being specific, comprehensible, practical, and achievable. The test team should meticulously craft the strategy, analyze requirements, and review it with the QA project team to mitigate confusion or conflicts early on and minimize risks during subsequent testing stages and product launches.

Key Components

The key components of a test strategy typically include the following:

• Test Objectives: Clearly define the goals and objectives of the testing effort, outlining what the testing aims to achieve.
• Test Scope: Specify the features, functionalities, or aspects of the software that the testing will cover, as well as any areas that will not be included.
• Test Approach: Describe the overall approach and methodologies to be used for testing, such as the types of testing (e.g., functional, performance, security), techniques, and tools.
• Test Environment: Define the required test environment, including hardware, software, network configurations, and any dependencies or prerequisites.
• Test Execution Schedule: Outline the timeline, milestones, and sequencing of the testing activities, including any dependencies or constraints.
• Test Data Management: Describe how test data will be managed, including the creation, provisioning, and maintenance of test data sets.
• Defect Management: Define the process for reporting, tracking, and resolving defects, including the tools and workflows to be used.
• Test Team: Identify the roles and responsibilities of the testing team members, including their interaction with other stakeholders and teams involved in the project.
• Test Communication: Specify the communication channels and mechanisms for effective collaboration and reporting within the testing team and with other project stakeholders.
• Risk Assessment and Mitigation: Identify potential risks and challenges associated with testing and outline risk assessment, mitigation, and contingency planning strategies.
• Test Deliverables: Identify the documents and artifacts that will be produced as part of the testing effort, such as test plans, test cases, test reports, and any other relevant documentation.
• Exit Criteria: Define the criteria that must be met for each phase of testing or the overall testing effort to be considered complete and ready for the next phase or release.

Types of Test Strategies

There are several types of Test Strategies, but let’s go through some of the most commonly used ones.

• Analytical Strategy: This approach utilizes requirements analysis to derive test conditions and then design and execute tests accordingly.
• Model-Based Strategy: The testing team selects the current situation and develops a test model based on inputs, outputs, tasks, and possible behaviors.
• Methodical Strategy: Test teams follow predefined testing conditions, incorporating checklists for specific testing types.
• Standard/Process Compliant Strategy: Test engineers adhere to industry-issued guidelines and procedures set by experts in the field.
• Reactive Strategy: Tests are designed and executed after the final software is developed, focusing on identified defects in the existing product.
• Consultative Strategy: Inputs from key stakeholders are gathered to determine the scope of test conditions.
• Regression Averse Strategy: Test engineers prioritize reducing regression risks across various product iterations.

Key Differences:

Before delving into the finer details, let’s summarize the fundamental distinctions between the two. A test plan primarily addresses the “How?” questions, focusing on the execution of the test strategy. On the other hand, a test strategy encompasses the “What?” aspects, such as the objectives and scope of the testing process. While a test plan may differ from one project to another, a test strategy operates at an organizational level. The test manager or test lead typically creates the test plan, while the project manager drafts the test strategy. Furthermore, the specifics of a test plan can vary and evolve, whereas a test strategy tends to be more stable and enduring.

Test Plan vs. Test Strategy

Role of Automation

Automation plays a crucial role in the test plan and strategy, elevating the overall efficiency, accuracy, and effectiveness of the testing process. In the Test Plan, automation tools help define the approach for automated testing by identifying the specific areas or functionalities that can be automated. They assist in selecting appropriate test cases and scripts to be automated, optimizing test data management, and determining the necessary resources and infrastructure for automation. Moreover, automation tools aid in setting up the test execution schedule and integrating automated tests into the overall testing process.

In the Test Strategy, automation tools contribute by guiding the selection and implementation of automation frameworks and methodologies. They help identify the types of tests that can be effectively automated, such as regression testing, performance testing, or load testing, and provide insights into the feasibility and benefits of automation in achieving the testing objectives. Automation tools also assist in defining the test environment setup and configuration needed for automated testing, evaluating the risks and challenges associated with automation, and formulating appropriate mitigation strategies.

Speaking about automation tools, testRigor, an advanced AI-driven automation tool, brings immense value to the automation field. What sets testRigor apart from others is the use of Generative AI, simplicity in creating test scripts, compatibility with various platforms for execution, and seamless integration with dominant test management, CI/CD, and other essential tools. As a cloud-hosted solution, testRigor empowers testing teams by enabling them to create test scripts in plain English, eliminating the need for programming skills. This accelerates the automation script creation process for manual QA members and enhances overall automation coverage.

One of the standout features of testRigor lies in its AI algorithms, which automatically capture specified elements. Unlike traditional tools that rely on writing complex and error-prone XPaths, testRigor allows the team to specify actions by element names or positions. For example, instead of using XPath, one can simply instruct the tool to “click the login button” or “click the button on the left of the Submit button.” Another remarkable aspect of testRigor is its flexible execution capabilities. It supports parallel execution across different browsers, simultaneously testing the same test cases.

Moreover, testRigor accommodates both web and mobile browsers, granting the ability to execute the same test case in either environment. To facilitate efficient monitoring, testRigor provides a live dashboard that displays reports step-by-step. This feature allows for immediate identification of failures and their causes.

testRigor goes beyond execution and reporting by offering seamless integrations with popular test management tools like Jira and TestRail, CI/CD tools like Jenkins and CircleCI, and communication channels like Slack and Teams. This extensive integration capability streamlines the testing process and enhances collaboration among team members. Furthermore, testRigor serves as a powerhouse, supporting various types of testing, including web and mobile browser testing, mobile app testing, desktop app testing, API testing, accessibility testing, load testing, and more. Its comprehensive feature set makes it a versatile and indispensable tool for testing teams. These are just a few of the exciting features that testRigor has to offer.

Conclusion

In conclusion, understanding the distinctions between a test plan and a test strategy is essential for effectively navigating the QA roadmap. A test plan is a detailed document outlining specific testing activities, objectives, schedules, and resources. It focuses on the “how” of testing, providing instructions for executing tests. On the other hand, a test strategy is a higher-level document that outlines the overarching approach, principles, and guidelines for testing. It addresses the “what” aspects, defining the scope, objectives, techniques, and resources required. With automation tools like testRigor, organizations can enhance the efficiency, accuracy, and scalability of their testing efforts. By leveraging automation, teams can streamline processes, increase test coverage, and achieve consistent results. Understanding the roles of Test Plan, Test Strategy, and automation tools like testRigor empowers QA teams to effectively plan and execute their testing activities, leading to improved software quality, faster time-to-market, and enhanced customer satisfaction. By embracing this comprehensive approach, organizations can successfully navigate the QA roadmap and achieve their desired testing outcomes.