C𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐨𝐧 D𝐨𝐜𝐮𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 for 𝐬𝐨𝐟𝐭𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐐𝐀 𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐫

 

𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐨𝐧 𝐝𝐨𝐜𝐮𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐚 𝐬𝐨𝐟𝐭𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐐𝐀 𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐫 𝐦𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐮𝐬𝐞:

✅𝐓𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧: This document outlines the overall strategy for testing a software application, including the scope of testing, the resources required, and the schedule for testing.

✅𝗧𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗖𝗮𝘀𝗲𝘀:These documents describe the specific steps and expected outcomes for testing individual features or functionality of the software.

✅𝗕𝘂𝗴 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁: When a defect is discovered during testing, a bug report is created to document the issue and provide details about the steps taken to reproduce it.

✅𝗧𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗠𝗲𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘀: This document captures the data related to software testing, such as the number of test cases executed, the number of defects found, and the overall test coverage.

✅𝗥𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗡𝗼𝘁𝗲𝘀: This document summarizes the changes made in a software release, including new features, bug fixes, and known issues.

✅𝗨𝘀𝗲𝗿 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗹: This document provides instructions for end-users on how to use the software.

✅𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹:This document provides training material to help the QA team understand the software and test it effectively.

✅𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗶𝗴𝘂𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻: This document outlines the process and tools used to manage and track changes to the software and its associated documents.

✅𝗧𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗼𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝗰𝗿𝗶𝗽𝘁𝘀:This document includes the test scripts that are automated to perform testing on software.

✅𝗧𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁: This document summarizes the results of testing and includes information such as the number of test cases executed, the number of defects found, and the overall test coverage.

These documents are important for software QA engineers as they provide a clear and concise overview of the software testing process and a record of the testing that has been done and the defects that have been discovered.

1. 𝐓𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧: 

A test plan is a document that outlines the strategy, approach, resources, and schedule for testing a software application. As a software tester, creating a test plan is an important step in ensuring that the software is thoroughly tested and that any issues found are addressed in a timely manner.

Some key elements of a software testing test plan include the following:

• Objectives: Clearly define the goals and objectives of the testing, such as ensuring that the software functions correctly and meets user requirements.
• Scope: Define the scope of the testing, including which systems and applications will be tested, which features will be covered, and which types of tests will be performed (e.g. functional, performance, security, etc.)
• Test approach: outline the test approach, including any tools or methodologies that will be used to conduct the testing, such as manual testing, automated testing, and exploratory testing.
• Resources: Identify the resources required for the testing, such as hardware, software, and personnel.
• Schedule: Define the schedule for the testing, including the start and end dates and any milestones that need to be met.
• Test deliverables: Identify the test deliverables that will be produced, such as test cases, test scripts, test plans, and test reports.
• Test acceptance criteria: Define the acceptance criteria for the testing, such as the number of defects that must be identified and the percentage of test coverage that must be achieved.
• Reporting and tracking: Outline the process for reporting and tracking any issues that are identified during the testing, including the use of bug-tracking software.

It's important to note that a test plan should be created at the beginning of the software development process and should be reviewed and updated throughout the development cycle. Additionally, it's important to involve all stakeholders in the test planning process, so that their expectations are met and everyone is on the same page.

2. 𝗧𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗖𝗮𝘀𝗲𝘀:

Test cases are a set of instructions that describe the steps to be taken to test a specific feature or functionality of a software application. They are an important part of the software testing process and are used to ensure that the software is thoroughly tested and that any issues found are addressed in a timely manner.

Some key elements of a software testing test case include:

• Test case ID: A unique identifier for the test case.
• Test case description: A brief description of what the test case is designed to test.
• Pre-conditions: The conditions that must be met before the test case can be executed.
• Test steps: A detailed description of the steps to be taken to execute the test case, including any input data that is required.
• Expected result: The expected outcome of the test case, such as the expected behaviour of the software or the expected output.
• Actual result: The actual outcome of the test case, such as the actual behaviour of the software or the actual output.
• Pass/fail criteria: The criteria that will be used to determine if the test case has passed or failed.
• Test environment: The environment in which the test case will be executed, such as the operating system, browser, and hardware.
• Tester: The person who will execute the test case.

Test cases should be created for all features and functionalities of the software application, and should be reviewed and updated throughout the development cycle. Additionally, it's important to use test cases in conjunction with other testing techniques, such as manual testing, automated testing

3. 𝗕𝘂𝗴 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁: 

A bug report, also known as a defect report, is a document that describes a problem or malfunction found in a software application during testing. It is an important part of the software testing process and is used to communicate the problem to the development team so that it can be fixed.

Some key elements of a bug report include:

• Bug ID: A unique identifier for the bug.
• Summary: A brief description of the problem, including the affected component or feature of the software.
• Steps to reproduce: Detailed instructions on how to reproduce the problem, including any input data that is required.
• Expected result: The expected outcome of the steps to reproduce, such as the expected behaviour of the software or the expected output.
• Actual result: The actual outcome of the steps to reproduce, such as the actual behaviour of the software or the actual output.
• Priority: The priority of the bug, such as critical, high, medium, or low, is based on the severity of the problem and its impact on the software.
• Severity: The severity of the bug, such as critical, high, medium, or low, based on the nature of the problem and its impact on the software.
• Assignee: The person or team responsible for fixing the bug.
• Status: The current status of the bug, such as new, assigned, in progress, fixed, or closed.
• Attachments: Any relevant attachments, such as screenshots, log files, or video recordings that can help to

4. 𝗧𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗠𝗲𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘀:

Test metrics are quantitative measures that are used to evaluate the performance and effectiveness of the software testing process. They provide a way for software testers to track the progress of the testing, identify areas for improvement, and make data-driven decisions.

Some common test metrics used by software testers include:

• Test coverage: A measure of how much of the software has been tested. It can be expressed as a percentage of the total number of lines of code, requirements, or user stories that have been tested.
• Defect density: A measure of the number of defects found per unit of size of the software, such as per thousand lines of code.
• Defects found: The number of defects found during testing, grouped by severity level, such as critical, high, medium, or low.
• Defects fixed: The number of defects that have been fixed by the development team.
• Defects reopened: The number of defects that have been reopened after being fixed, indicating that the fix was not effective.
• Test case execution: The percentage of test cases that have been executed, grouped by status, such as passed, failed, or blocked.
• Test case pass rate: The percentage of test cases that have passed.
• Test case failure rate: The percentage of test cases that have failed.
• Test case execution time: The amount of time it takes to execute a test case, used to measure the performance of the software.
• Test case maintenance: The amount of time and effort required to maintain the test cases, used to measure the maintainability of the software.

Test metrics should be used throughout the software testing process, and can be collected using a variety of tools, such as test management software or a spreadsheet. They help to identify the areas of the software that need more testing, and help to improve the overall quality of the software. Additionally, it's important to report the metrics to the stakeholders and use them to make decisions about the software development process.

5. 𝗥𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗡𝗼𝘁𝗲𝘀:

Release notes are a document that provides information about new features, bug fixes, and other changes in a software release. They are typically used to communicate the changes to end users, customers, and other stakeholders. As a software tester, you may be involved in creating or reviewing the release notes to ensure that they accurately reflect the changes made in the software and that they clearly communicate any known issues or limitations.

Some key elements of the release notes include:

• Version number: The version number of the software release.
• Release date: The date on which the software release is made available.
• New features: A description of any new features or enhancements that have been added to the software.
• Bug fixes: A description of any bugs that have been fixed in the software.
• Known issues: A list of any known issues or limitations that exist in the software.
• Compatibilities: Information about the compatibility of the software with other systems, platforms, or browsers.
• Upgrade instructions: Steps that need to be taken to upgrade to the new release, if applicable.
• Support Contact: Information on how to contact the support team for assistance.
• Change log: A detailed list of all the changes that were made in the software release.

Release notes should be clear, concise, and easy to understand, and they should be made available to all stakeholders, such as end users, customers, and other members of the development team. Additionally, it's important to keep the release notes up to date and to include any relevant information such as instructions on how to install, use, or troubleshoot the software.

6. 𝗨𝘀𝗲𝗿 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗹:

A user manual is a document that provides instructions on how to use a software application. It is typically written for end users and is designed to help them understand the features and functionality of the software, as well as how to use it effectively. As a software tester, you may be involved in creating or reviewing the user manual to ensure that it is accurate, easy to understand and that it covers all the relevant information about the software.

Some key elements of a user manual include:

• Introduction: A brief overview of the software and its features.
• Getting started: Instructions on how to install, set up and configure the software.
• User interface: A description of the software's user interface, including its layout, navigation, and controls.
• Features and functionality: A detailed explanation of the software's features and how to use them.
• Troubleshooting: Information on how to resolve common problems and errors that may occur while using the software.
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): A list of frequently asked questions and answers related to the software.
• Glossary: A list of terms and definitions used in the software.
• Appendices: Additional information such as technical specifications, data sheets, or contact information.

Index: An alphabetical list of keywords and topics that allows users to quickly find the information they are looking for.

A user manual should be easy to understand, well-organized, and visually appealing. It should also be kept up to date to reflect any changes in the software. Additionally, it's important to include the user manual in the distribution package and to make it available in different formats such as PDF, HTML, or online help.

7. 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹:

Training material is a set of resources that provide instruction on how to use a software application. It can be in various formats, such as videos, tutorials, presentations, webinars, and documentation. As a software tester, you may be involved in creating or reviewing the training material to ensure that it covers all the relevant information about the software and that it is accurate and easy to understand.

Some key elements of the training material include:

• Objectives: Clearly define the goals and objectives of the training, such as to help users understand the features and functionality of the software.
• Audience: Identify the target audience of the training, such as end users, customers, or developers.
• Format: Select the format of the training, such as video tutorials, webinars, or documentation.
• Content: Create the content of the training, including the information that needs to be covered and the examples and scenarios used to illustrate the software's features and functionality.
• Interactive elements: Include interactive elements such as quizzes, exercises, or feedback mechanisms to keep the audience engaged and to encourage participation.
• Supporting materials: Create supporting materials such as cheat sheets, quick reference guides, or FAQs, that can be used as a reference after the training.
• Evaluation: Include an evaluation mechanism, such as a quiz or survey, to measure the effectiveness of the training and to gather feedback from the audience.
• Updates: Keep the training material up to date with any changes in the software, and make it available in different formats and languages if applicable.

Training material should be designed to be easy to understand, engaging, and interactive. It should be tailored to the needs of the target audience and made available in different formats and languages to suit their preferences and needs. Additionally, it's important to evaluate the effectiveness of the training material and use the feedback to improve it.

8. 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗶𝗴𝘂𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻:

A configuration management plan is a document that outlines the strategy, approach, resources, and schedule for managing the configuration of a software application. As a software tester, you may be involved in creating or reviewing the configuration management plan to ensure that it covers all the relevant information about the software and that it is accurate and easy to understand.

Some key elements of a configuration management plan include:

• Objectives: Clearly define the goals and objectives of the configuration management, such as to ensure that the software is developed and maintained according to the specified requirements and standards.
• Scope: Define the scope of the configuration management, including which systems and applications will be covered and which types of configuration items will be managed.
• Approach: Outline the approach for configuration management, including any tools or methodologies that will be used to conduct the management.
• Configuration Identification: Identify the configuration items that need to be managed and establish a unique identification for each.
• Configuration Control: Establish the control procedures for managing changes to the configuration items and ensure they are authorized, recorded, and tracked.
• Configuration Status Accounting: Record and report the status of the configuration items and ensure they are accurate and up-to-date.
• Configuration Auditing: Verify that the configuration management process is followed and that the configuration items are correct.
• Resources: Identify the resources required for the configuration management, such as hardware, software, and personnel.
• Schedule: Define the schedule for the configuration management, including the start and end dates and any milestones that need to be met.
• Reporting: Outline the process for reporting and tracking any issues.

9. 𝗧𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗼𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝗰𝗿𝗶𝗽𝘁𝘀:

Test automation scripts are a set of instructions that are used to automatically execute a test case or group of test cases. They are typically used in conjunction with test automation tools, such as Selenium, Appium, or TestComplete, to automate repetitive or time-consuming tasks, such as regression testing. As a software tester, you may be involved in creating or reviewing test automation scripts to ensure that they are accurate, easy to understand, and that they cover all the relevant information about the software.

Some key elements of test automation scripts include:

• Test case ID: A unique identifier for the test case or group of test cases that the script is designed to execute.
• Test case description: A brief description of what the script is designed to test.
• Pre-conditions: The conditions that must be met before the script can be executed.
• Test steps: A detailed description of the steps to be taken to execute the script, including any input data that is required.
• Expected result: The expected outcome of the script, such as the expected behavior of the software or the expected output.
• Actual result: The actual outcome of the script, such as the actual behavior of the software or the actual output.
• Pass/fail criteria: The criteria that will be used to determine if the script has passed or failed.
• Test environment: The environment in which the script will be executed, such as the operating system, browser, and hardware.
• Automation tool: The automation tool that will be used to execute the script, such as Selenium, Appium, or TestComplete.

Test automation scripts should be created for all features and functionalities of the software application, and should be reviewed and updated throughout the development cycle. Additionally, it's important to use test automation scripts in conjunction with other testing techniques, such as manual testing, to ensure that the software is thoroughly tested and that any issues found are addressed in a timely manner.

10. 𝗧𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁:

A test report is a document that summarizes the results of one or more tests that have been conducted on a software application. It is an important part of the software testing process and is used to communicate the results of the tests to the development team and other stakeholders, such as managers or customers. As a software tester, you may be involved in creating or reviewing test reports to ensure that they are accurate, easy to understand, and that they cover all the relevant information about the software.

Some key elements of a test report include:

• Test plan ID: A unique identifier for the test plan that the report is associated with.
• Test date: The date on which the tests were conducted.
• Test environment: The environment in which the tests were conducted, such as the operating system, browser, and hardware.
• Tested features: A list of the features of the software that were tested.
• Test cases: A list of the test cases that were executed, including their ID and description.
• Test results: A summary of the results of the tests, including the number of test cases that passed, failed, or were blocked.
• Defects found: A list of any defects that were found during the tests, including their ID, description, and severity.
• Test conclusion: A summary of the overall results of the tests, including any recommendations for improvement.
• Test evidence: A summary of the evidence that was collected during the tests, such as screenshots, log files, or video recordings.
• Test metrics: A summary of the test metrics, such as test coverage, defect density, and test case execution.

Test reports should be clear, concise, and easy to understand, and they should be made available to all stakeholders, such as end users, customers, and other members of the development team. Additionally, it's important to keep the test reports up to date and to include any relevant information such as the test evidence, test metrics, and conclusion from the test results.

© Mejbaur Bahar Fagun

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