Test Documentation in Software Testing

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Test Documentation in Software Testing

In this article, I am going to discuss Test Documentation in Software Testing. Please read our previous article where we discussed Compatibility Testing. At the end of this article, you will understand the following important pointers which are related to Test Documentation in Software Testing.

1. What is Test Documentation in Software Testing?
2. What is the Purpose of Documentation for Software Testing?
3. Why Do We Test Formality?
4. Types of Test Documentation in SDLC
5. Why Test Documentation is Needed?
6. Example of Test Documentation in SDLC
7. What are the Advantages of Test Documentation?
8. What are the Disadvantages of Test Documentation?

What is Test Documentation in Software Testing?

Test Documentation in Software Testing refers to the documentation of various artifacts that are generated either during or prior to the testing phase of a software program. The value of processes to the client, the individual, and the organization is reflected in the documentation. All-document projects have a high level of maturity. Careful documentation can help the organization save time, money, and resources.

Each test engineer generates the necessary reference document before starting the test execution process. We typically write the test documentation while the developers are working on new code. Once the test document is created, the entire test execution process is dependent upon it. Writing a test document’s main goal is to lessen or get rid of any lingering questions about testing procedures.

What is the Purpose of Documentation for Software Testing?

QA documentation gathers data on test planning, execution, accountable team members, KPIs, and outcomes. It offers a nuanced picture of the project and has a number of useful advantages.

1. Reduces the uncertainty associated with testing activities by storing complete test requirements for all anticipated tests in testing documentation, which makes it simple for team members and product owners to keep track of the products.
2. Provides support in establishing the testing environment by creating comprehensive testing documentation that encompasses hardware specifications, automated tools, frameworks, and a thorough description of product functionality. This knowledge can be applied to upcoming text cases or given to a new team member.
3. Provides stakeholders with more information about the testing process; in-depth real-time reports enable inspection of the results of physical testing at any moment. A product owner, business founder, or CTO can offer advice and receive an inside look at the team’s development.
4. The team can optimize the procedure after analyzing the outcomes and progress of the testing with the aid of documentation. If the team didn’t meet its KPIs, early detection of the issue will allow testing procedures to be modified.

Why Do We Test Formality?

We might describe our time as the digital era. We use smartphone applications for basic needs like paying our electricity bills, using G-Pay, Paytm, and buying online. Therefore, this item needs to be properly tested before it can be put to use.

In order to ensure that the particular project is operating as intended, testing formality comes next following the software development phase.

Explain Types of Test Documentation in SDLC

In software testing, a variety of test document types are employed, including the following:

1. Test Scenarios: The methods used to test an application software are called test Scenarios. It excludes the inputs and outputs needed for application navigation. However, it is frequently utilized to comprehend how the software works from point to point. whereas test scenarios and test cases both have similar kinds of principles, test scenarios involve multiple stages for evaluating the program whereas test cases just include a test case.
2. Test Case: Similar to how test scenarios were just mentioned, test cases are used to test applications. However, a test case is a single input and output scenario used to evaluate an application. Only one test case is insufficient to test an application, so numerous test cases are created to test the software, and these test cases are documented in a test document.
3. Test Plan: As the name suggests, we will build a plan in this document for the software testing that we will carry out either while developing the program or after development. For efficient software application testing, this plan is quite helpful. Although the Test Plan document is crucial for successful testing, whatever we perform with a plan becomes successful.
4. Requirement Traceability Matrix (RTM): A document called the Requirement Traceability Matrix [RTM] verifies that every test case has been addressed. Before the test execution process, this document is generated to ensure that we did not forget to write a test case for the specific requirement
5. Test Strategy: The test strategy is a high-level document that specifies the sort of technique to be used, the module to be tested, and the test types (levels) that will be carried out on the product. It may receive project manager approval. It consists of a number of different elements, including documentation formats, test objectives, test methodologies, scope, and customer communication tactics, among others. We are unable to change the test plan.
6. Test Data: It is information that happens before the test is run. It is primarily utilized when we are putting the test case into action. The test data will often be manually inserted into an Excel sheet while the test case is being run. When test data is entered, the intended outcome must match the actual result in order for the test data to be used to verify the expected outcome. The test data can also be used to verify the application performance by inputting incorrect input data.
7. Bug Report: We keep a list of all the bugs that appeared during the testing process in a document called a bug report. This is a crucial document for developers and test engineers because it makes it simple for them to track errors, report bugs, change the status of errors that are successfully fixed, and stop them from happening again in succeeding processes.
8. Test Execution Report: It is the document that test leads create following the successful completion of the testing execution process. The test summary report, which includes data on the modules, the number of written test cases that were executed, passed, or failed, and their percentages, defines the product’s consistency. Additionally, a separate spreadsheet is available for each module.

Why Test Documentation is Needed?

If the testing or development team receives software that isn’t functioning properly and was created by someone else, the team will first need a document to identify the fault. Now, if the docs are accessible, the team will immediately identify the error’s cause by reviewing the documentation. However, if the documentation is not available, the tester will have to repeat the black box and white box tests, wasting the company’s time and resources. Additionally, the absence of documentation makes acceptance difficult.

Example of Test Documentation in SDLC

Let’s use Microsoft as an actual example. Microsoft releases every product with proper user instructions and documentation that is very illustrative, logically consistent, and simple to comprehend for any user. These are all the explanations for why their products are successful.

What are the Advantages of Test Documentation?

Some of the benefits of Test Documentation are:

1. Clarifying the quality of the processes and objectives through documentation.
2. When a customer employs software, it assures internal cooperation.
3. It guarantees transparency on the consistency of work and output.
4. On preventive actions, it offers feedback.
5. It offers input for your cycle of planning.
6. It produces unbiased proof of the effectiveness of the quality management system.
7. We must remember the values we entered during the first phase if we are to write the test document.
8. Additionally, it saves time because we can quickly refer back to the written content.
9. We will test on the same value, which makes it consistent as well.

What are the Disadvantages of Test Documentation?

Some of the drawbacks of Test Documentation are:

1. It is a little tiresome because we have to keep track of the customer’s alteration and the document’s parallel update.
2. If the test documentation is inadequate, the application’s quality will be replicated.
3. Sometimes, someone who lacks product understanding writes the article.
4. The cost of the document may occasionally outweigh its worth.

In the next article, I am going to discuss Test Scenarios in Software Testing. Here, in this article, I try to explain Test Documentation in Software Testing. I hope you enjoy this Test Documentation in Software Testing article.