Do you often get confused with the difference between test plan and test strategy?
Today we will clear all your doubts and help you understand the difference between test plan and test strategy in a more clear way. But instead of jumping directly on the difference between test plan and test strategy, let us first discuss where they are used.
Do you know where the test plan and test strategy are used?
I think you probably know the answer…..
Yes!! They are used in software testing.
Let us first briefly discuss what software testing is, to refresh your testing concept memories!!
What is Software testing??
Software testing is a method or investigation that is conducted to check and ensure that the final software product is developed according to the needs and requirements of the client. Testing plays an important role in the software development process of any project.
Also, read Top 10 Differences Between Grid Computing and Cloud Computing.
This method is used to ensure that the software or the service under the test is defect-free and up to the industry standards. It also helps to provide information about its quality to the investors, which helps them understand the risk and features of implementing the software or the service.
Don’t you prepare well before your exams?? Or what about throwing a birthday bash??
Just like that, before the execution of software testing, it is important to prepare for it. This is done by creating the two important documents which help in the smooth flow of the process. These documents are called a test plan and test strategy. These documents are supposed to be made and followed throughout the software testing process. These two documents help the organization prepare for the testing process and used in the arrangement and execution of Quality Assurance activities.
Difference between the test plan and test strategy
While they sound similar, there is a prominent difference between the test plan and test strategy; learners often get confused with the usage of these terms. Though they are interdependent and each work in the presence of the other, the main difference among the two is their scope.
Before understanding the difference between test plan and test strategy, we need to understand the meaning of each concept separately.
What is the Test plan, and who develops it?
A test plan is documentation for software testing; it is derived from SRS-Software Requirements Specification. Gives a detailed description of the different concepts of software testing such as the scope of testing, its objectives, tools, and resources required, a method to be used, and entry/exit criteria.
The test plan is often static but can be changed according to the changes in the requirement of the organization and to attain the set standards. The testing manager or testing lead develops it. The main aim of this documentation is to include every detail of the testing, such as what to test when to test it? How to test it?? Where to test it? Who will be testing it?? And the tools and techniques that should be used for testing.
For a single project, if it is small, there will be only one plan which can be changed according to the change in the requirement. Still, for a big project with different components and parts, there is usually a test plan for every major component while the strategy remains the same. It is a blueprint and unique for every testing project.
The test plan document covers the specific details of the testing process, such as how, when, where, by whom the testing should be done.
Also, Read Overloading and Overriding in Java: 10 basic difference.
What it contains?
A test plan includes a variety of concepts such as:
- Test plan id: Every test plan has a unique id which can be a number, name, or combination of both.
- Environment: This is the environment required for the testing.
- Features to test: It lists the features that should be needed to be tested.
- Features not to test
- Entry and exit criteria: These criteria define when to start the testing and when to stop it, respectively.
- Status: Status defines whether the test case has passed the testing, or not yet tested.
- Types of testing: it specifies which among the various methods of testing will be used for the test case.
- Resources such as equipment, tools, environment, human resources.
- Approvals: it lists that mentions the people who have approved the test plan.
What is Test Strategy, and who develops it?
Test strategy is a static and high-level test documentation. It is based on Business requirements specification-BRS. It defines how the testing activities should be conducted to achieve the goals set by the organization. The objective of this document is to prove the systematic approach to testing. The test strategy is static. The project manager or the analyst develops it.
The objectives of the test and the approach that is needed to be used are described by the Test strategy.
For smaller projects or a single project test strategy is included within the test plan. Otherwise, these are planned and designed on the organizational level and remain static for every project.
The test strategy covers the general concepts and views, such as how the testing should be approached and the testing methods to be included.
What it contains?
- Objectives and scope: It defines the objectives of our project or organization and its scope in testing.
- Industry standards should be followed.
- Business issues such as the project budget, resources, and time required to execute the testing process.
- A testing approach such as manual or automation and what type of testing is needed for the test case.
- Test deliverables: The documents that the testing team is supposed to maintain and how the record of the testing cycle will be maintained.
- Defect tracking: Tools required to keep track of the defects and how the testing team will approach the development team to solve the issues and how the testing flow will be continued.
- Training: what type of training should be given to the employees and who should be given the responsibility.
- Risks: The risks that can be avoided, and if any occur, the solution is recorded.
The key difference between test plan and test strategy:
Test Plan Vs Test Strategy |
|
| It is a document that defines the techniques for every test case to deliver a high-quality product. | It is a high-level formal document that focuses on the testing approach and how to achieve the goals. |
| It is developed by the project manager. | It is developed by the testing manager or testing leader. |
| This can be changed to match the requirements of the organization and test case to produce a high-quality product. | This remains static throughout the testing process and is developed on the organizational level. It can be specified for a specific project as well.
|
| There can be a different test plan for every major test case of a project if a project is large. | There’s only one test strategy for the entire project designed on the organizational level. Though in the case of the smaller projects, it is included within the plan. |
| It gives a detailed description. | It gives general information. |
| It is utilized on the project level. | It is utilized on the organizational level. |
| It focuses on how to test, who will test, where to test. | It focuses on how to achieve the goals and how to approach the plan. |
| It is derived from software requirement specifications. | It is derived from business requirement specifications. |
Conclusion On the Difference between test plan and test strategy:
So, from all the above points we hope now the concept of the difference between test plan is now clear to you. Test plans and strategies are interrelated but different from each other.
A test strategy aims to provide general information on the objectives and scope of testing and how the goals are to be achieved.
A test plan gives detailed information on every test case and objectives, methods, and how the test can be performed, who will perform it, and what environment it needs. Basically, it focuses on Specific details while strategy focuses on general approaches.