How To Write A Regression Test Plan: Best Practices & Checklist For Effective Regression Testing

Regression testing is a critical aspect of software testing that ensures that previously working functionalities of an application continue to work as expected after changes have been made to the software.

Writing a well-defined regression test plan is essential for conducting effective regression testing. In this article, we will explore the importance of regression test planning and the main techniques for writing a regression test plan.

What Is A Regression Test Plan?

A Regression Test Plan is a documented strategy that outlines the approach, scope, objectives, and resources required for conducting regression testing.

It provides a roadmap for testers to follow during regression testing and ensures that all critical functionalities of an application are thoroughly tested after changes have been made to the software.

Why Is A Regression Test Plan Important?

Regression test planning is important for several reasons:

• Ensures that previously working functionalities are not impacted by changes in the software.
• Helps identify and fix defects introduced during the software development process.
• Helps minimize the risk of software failures in production due to regression issues.
• Provides a structured approach for conducting regression testing, which improves the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the testing process.

Main Techniques Of Writing A Regression Test Plan

When writing a regression test plan, consider the following techniques:

• Impact Analysis

Identify the areas of the app that are likely to be impacted by changes and prioritize them for regression testing.

• Selective Regression

Choose a subset of test cases that are most critical to the app’s functionality and focus on testing those.

• Test Suite Optimization

Optimize the existing test suite by removing redundant or obsolete test cases and adding new ones to cover the changed functionalities.

How To Build A Regression Test Plan?

A Regression Test Plan should include the following components,

1. Scope (clearly define the scope of the testing effort, including the modules, functionalities, and platforms to be tested)
2. Objectives (specify the objectives of the testing effort, such as verifying the stability of the application, identifying and fixing defects, and ensuring backward compatibility)
3. Test Schedule (outline the timeline for conducting the tests, including milestones, deadlines, and dependencies)
4. Test Resources (identify the resources required for regression testing, such as the team members, tools, and equipment)
5. Test Environment (describe the test environment, including the hardware, software, network configurations, and any other dependencies)
6. Test Techniques (specify the regression testing techniques to be used, such as impact analysis, selective regression, and test suite optimization)
7. Test Deliverables (define the deliverables of the regression testing effort, such as test reports, defect reports, and documentation).

When writing a regression test plan, it’s important to include:

• Test cases that cover the functionalities affected by the changes.
• Test cases that cover critical functionalities of the app.
• Test cases that have a higher likelihood of finding defects.
• Test cases that have been identified through impact analysis or selective regression techniques.

On the other hand, do not waste your time on:

• Redundant or obsolete test cases that do not add value to the testing effort.
• Test cases that are not relevant to the changes made in the software.
• Test cases that have a low likelihood of finding defects or have low priority.

When writing a regression test plan, it’s important to communicate with the project team and stakeholders of the project.

How To Prepare For Regression Testing?

Before beginning the regression testing, it is crucial to know the answers to the following questions.

1. What changes have been made to the software, and what are the functionalities that have been impacted?
2. What are the critical functionalities of the app that need to be thoroughly tested during regression testing?
3. Are there any specific priorities or deadlines for conducting regression testing?
4. Are there any specific test data or test environment requirements for regression testing?
5. Are there any specific tools or techniques that need to be used during regression testing?
6. Are there any specific deliverables or documentation requirements for the regression testing effort?

What Should Your Priorities Be?

When conducting regression testing, it’s important to prioritize the following:

Critical functionalities

Focus on testing the functionalities that are critical to the application’s functionality and business objectives.

Areas impacted by changes

Give higher priority to the functionalities that have been impacted by recent changes in the software.

High-risk areas

Prioritize the functionalities or modules that have a higher likelihood of introducing defects or issues.

Business-critical scenarios

Test the scenarios that are crucial to the business processes and workflows supported by the app.

Checklist to Follow During Regression Testing

1. Review and update the existing test cases in the test plan based on the changes made to the software.
2. Conduct impact analysis to identify the functionalities or modules that are likely to be impacted by the changes.
3. Prioritize the test cases based on their criticality and the areas impacted by changes.
4. Create new test cases if needed to cover the functionalities affected by the changes.
5. Optimize the test plan by removing redundant or obsolete test cases.
6. Update the test data and test environment to reflect the changes made in the software.
7. Track the execution of the regression tests using TestCaseLab as a test case management tool, and record the results.
8. Identify and report any defects found during regression testing directly from TestCaseLab to Jira.
9. Review and update the regression test plan based on the results and feedback received.
10. Automatically generate and share the regression testing reports in TestCaseLab with relevant stakeholders.

TestCaseLab, as a test case management tool, can be a valuable asset in managing and executing regression test cases efficiently. By following best practices and using appropriate tools, testers can ensure the stability and reliability of software applications in the face of changes and updates.

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