How to write effective test cases?
Creating test cases is a vital part of the testing process. The main reason why we write test cases is to verify the test coverage of an application. Test cases ensure that every important aspect, functionality or feature of an application is tested.
Writing test cases also brings standardization to the testing process. By creating a set of predefined test cases, testing becomes a more structured process. This structured approach ensures that every tester follows the same process, eliminating inconsistencies in testing results. Additionally, having standard test cases makes it easier for new testers to join the team and quickly understand the testing process.
As applications evolve, new features are added, and existing features are modified. This means that test cases must be updated to reflect these changes. If test cases are not regularly updated, then there is a risk that new functionality or changes will not be adequately tested, leading to potential bugs and issues that may impact users.
To ensure that test cases are comprehensive and effective, they should be reviewed regularly by a Quality Assurance team. Test cases should be updated based on feedback from testing sessions, and new test cases should be added as new functionality is introduced.
The elements of a comprehensive test case:
Test Case ID: It is a unique identifier for each test case. This ID helps in tracking and managing test cases. It’s a good practice to use a standard naming convention while assigning the ID, making it easier to find and use in the future.
Unit to Test: The functionality or feature of an application that needs to be verified. It’s important to be specific about the unit being tested to avoid confusion and ensure that all important aspects of the application are covered.
Assumptions: Any pre-existing conditions or factors – this includes any prerequisites, such as a particular configuration or system setup that must be in place before the test can be performed.
Test Data: The variables and their values that are used to execute the test case. This includes any values or settings that need to be configured for the test to run correctly.
Steps to be Executed: A step-by-step guide on how to execute the test case. It’s important to be specific and provide clear instructions to avoid confusion.
Expected Result: The expected result is the outcome that should occur if the test case is executed correctly. It’s important to define the expected result before testing to make sure that it’s consistent across all test cases and that testers have a clear understanding of what to expect.
Actual Result: The actual result is the outcome that occurs when the test case is executed. It’s important to document the actual result to identify any discrepancies between the expected and actual results. This information is useful in debugging and resolving any issues that arise during testing.
Pass/Fail: It is a final outcome of the test case. A clear and consistent criteria for determining whether a test case has passed or failed ensures that all tests are evaluated equally.
Comments: Comments are an optional field that allows testers to provide additional information or context about the test case. This information can include any observations or notes about the test execution or any additional comments or feedback.