Software testing is a complex process that involves various steps. Right from planning till its execution and analysis, a software goes through a rigorous testing process that requires proper documentation and safekeeping. The testing plans, records, final results, and subsequent decisions serve as essential components through the software development and testing cycle categorised under the test artifacts. Delivering quality and structure to the testing process, test artifacts serve as aspects that require proper management and use.
What are Test Artifacts?
Test artifacts serve as essential documents and tools for software testing. They help make the testing process effective. These are generated at different phases of the software testing process which can be categorised as follows:
1. Test Plan:
The test plan serves as an essential document providing information about the test strategy, objectives, scope, and outcome. In short, the plan serves as a blueprint of the testing process providing complete details of every aspect like test scripts, their results, and decisions.
2. Test Cases and Test Scripts:
The test cases and scripts refer to the inputs used for testing a software. While a Manual testing procedure uses test cases, an automated testing process uses test scripts making them essential aspects of a testing process.
3. Test Data:
The test data refers to the input used for testing various applications, features, and functionalities. The availability of accurate test data makes the testing process reliable, and accurate.
4. Defect Reports:
The defect reports provide information about the internal issues and bugs that testing teams identify when they test software. The reports provide information about the type of defects to ensure resolution hassle-free.
5. Test Summary Report:
The test summary report, prepared at the end of a test cycle, serves as a compilation of test results, test coverage, and final solutions.
Why are Testing Artifacts Needed?
1. To make testing standardised:
Test artifacts give the testing process a definite structure allowing testing teams and developers to execute every step efficiently. They offer complete information on every step thereby delivering consistency to the testing process of different software.
2. Identification of the problem-causing area:
With all the steps and details at a single location, teams can trace every requirement and aspect right to its source. This allows testing team members to identify the tasks, defects, or test scripts easily and without any hassle.
3. Effective Communication:
The testing artifacts even allow testers, developers, managers, and the final clients to communicate effectively amongst themselves. With clear information and access to all the reports, different stakeholders can get a better and detailed view of all the aspects for effective communication.
4. Compliance:
The artifacts even make the audit and compliance process efficient. Being proof of all the steps and testing aspects, the auditor can ensure that the testing scripts meet all the standards.
5. Defect Management:
Defect reports and logs in the test artifacts help with tracking and fixing issues hassle-free. If the developers identify the same problems in different testing processes then they can take necessary steps to enhance the software quality.
Conclusion
Testing artifacts therefore help with test audit, reduce risk, improve testing and software quality, and ensure compliance with all compliance standards making them essential for testing process management.
