Testing Documentation
As testing is a formal process it has to be documented. This section outlines the various types of document required to record the testing process with a special emphasis on the Test Plan.
IEEE829 Documentation
A number of types of document are needed for testing to take place of any type. In many cases these are created as the project proceeds. However a there is an International standard, IEEE829, which details the types of document, what should be in each, and how each relates to the other.
- IEEE 829 Documentation - is an overview of the international documentation standard that can be used for all types of testing.
- Test Plans - explains the key features of preparing an IEEE 829 test plan.
- IEEE 829 Documentation
Test Plans
A particularly important document is the Test Plan. This series of articles outlines various issues to do with creating a good test plan. read about this and download a plan template based on the IEEE 829 standard.
Test Plan Identifier
Section 1 is the Test Plan Identifier and is a unique code to distinguish this plan from any other.
Introduction
The 2. Introduction section is part of QUALITY and has four subsections.
- 2. Introduction is and overview of what goes in this section.
- 2.1 Background deals with what needs to be considered.
- 2.2 Objectives of the Test Plan deals with the the two types of UAT test plan.
- 2.3 Objectives of UAT deals with what you intend to be the result of doing UAT.
- 2.4 References deals with what need to go in this section.
Scope Headings
Sections 3, 4 and 5 are to do with the SCOPE of the testing.
- 3. Test Items gives guidance on what to put in this section of a test plan.
- 4. Features to be Tested gives guidance on what features are in relation to test items.
- 5. Features not to be Tested gives guidance on what features are in relation to test items that will not be tested.
UAT Approach
Section 6 is to do with the QUALITY of the testing and defines how you go about testing.
- 6. Approach explains how to break the testing up.
- 6.1 Develop Tests required to run the testing.
- Testing Entry Criteria - seven to include in a test plan.
Ending Testing
Section 7 is to do with the QUALITY of the testing and defines how you evaluate the testing you have done.
- 7. Item Pass/Fail Criteria
- 7.1 Evaluation Team
- 7.2 Exit Criteria
- 7.3 Evaluation Process
- 7.4 Requirements Traceability Matrix
Suspension Criteria
Section 8 deals with when you suspend and restart testing and is a RISK section .
Testing Deliverables
Testing produces a lot of data and Section 9 outlines what the are. These are a QUALITY item.
- 9. Test Deliverables produced from UAT.
Time Issues
Section 10 - Testing Tasks, and Section 14 Schedule deal with the TIME issues to do with testing.
Resource Issues
Section 11 - Environmental Needs, Section 12 - Responsibilities, and Section 13 - Staffing and Training Needs, deal with the RESOURCE issues of a test plan.and Section 14 Schedule deal with the TIME issues to do with testing.
Risks and Contingencies
Section 15 - Risks and contingencies deals with how to handle the risks in a project.
- Project Risk Management points to include.
Approvals
Section 16 - Approvals deals with getting sign-off for a testing plan.
Test Documentation Detail
- IEEE 829 Test Plans outlines what needs to be included in a test plan to make it a balanced project plan.
- IEEE 829 Documentation - the eight types of document in the IEEE 829 standard including the test plan.