Working in the business world, particularly in software development, you have likely seen or been involved in creating a test case. It’s an essential tool for ensuring the quality and reliability of software. In this article, we’ll look at the key steps involved in writing a quality test case.
Understand the requirements
When planning a test case, the most important thing to understand is what your software or product should do. Set benchmarks for what is considered a pass or fail. This way, when you assess the effectiveness of the test case, you’ll have a clear idea of what needs to happen next.
You can even break these down into various test scenarios, because as we know, any product might excel in some functions but perform poorly at others.
Stick to a template
Consistency is key, especially if performing multiple test cases. Using a standard test case template ensures all test cases are conducted and evaluated in the same way. The section below details some of the fields you could use for a standard template.
How to lay out your test case
Setting up a test case is easier than you think. When building a template, consider the following fields:
- Test Case ID: Each test case should stand out with a unique identifier.
- Description: Briefly explain the test case’s objective.
- Preconditions: Highlight any prerequisites before executing the test.
- Test steps: Detail out the precise steps for the tester.
- Expected vs. actual results: Clearly describe what you anticipate versus the outcome after the test.
- Status: A quick way to know if the test passed, failed, or is ongoing.
Tracking and reviewing
Every test case should be directly linked back to a specific requirement. This ensures no stone is left unturned in your testing coverage. But remember, you don’t need to do it all yourself. Get a fresh pair of eyes on your test cases. Reviewing test cases as a team can help you identify aspects of the test you may have missed the first time.
Execution and documentation
After all the planning, it’s time to execute your test cases. You’ve already got the foundation, so when complete, it’s simply a matter of reviewing each scenario/function and recording your results.
Once recorded, you can carefully analyse your results to determine the next steps. Ensure to pay attention to positive and negative results, because we often learn more from failed tests than successful ones.
To discuss your business software and planning needs, contact Human Pixel today.
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