Comprehensive Test Reporting in Software Testing
Throughout the software development process, we provide detailed documented test reports to decision-makers, developers, and other stakeholders so that they can obtain accurate information about the test results and the performance of the product’s testing process. In this article, we will discuss in detail how to write a comprehensive software test report, what the report should contain, and what the steps are.
What is Test Reporting?
Test reporting involves communicating the results of testing activities in detail to project stakeholders. Methods of reporting vary depending on tester and stakeholder preferences, project objectives, regulatory requirements, and available tools. Test reporting uses metrics and graphs to help stakeholders understand test results in the context of project goals and exit criteria. Test reporting enables decisions to be made towards the project. Starting the process at the test planning stage makes it easier to collect the data necessary for effective reporting. When collecting data, you should generally focus on answers to the following questions[2]:
• How will you assess the adequacy of the test objectives for a given test level and whether those objectives were achieved?
• How will you assess the adequacy of the test approaches taken and whether they support the achievement of the project’s testing goals?
• How will you assess the effectiveness of the testing concerning these objectives and approaches?
Components of Test Report
1. Test Objective: State the purpose and requirements of the test. This shows that the testing team understands the purpose and requirements of the test.[3]
2. Areas Covered: Specify product areas and features tested to cover all high-level scenarios.
3. Areas Not Covered: It is important to note the product features that are tested as well as those that are not tested. Untested areas can concern the customer, so we need to point out anything untested and ensure expectations are adjusted accordingly.
4. Testing Approach: State in detail which tests were performed and under which conditions.
5. Defect Report: Although a defect report is usually mentioned in a bug report, we gain additional information about defects by mentioning them in test reports.[1]
6. Platform Details: Specify details of each platform and environment in which the product was tested. In this way, if a defect is detected, it becomes easier to fix it.[1]
7. Overall Summary: Comment on the overall status of the application under test. This way you inform stakeholders about the critical issues discovered and their status. At the same time, an idea is obtained about the readiness of shipping the product to the customer.
Steps For Creating a Comprehensive Test Report
- Project And Product Info: Describe the project and product-related information such as project name, product name, and product version.[5]
2. Purpose: Shortly explain the purpose of preparing the document.
3. Software/Product Overview: Briefly describe the product being tested.
4. Testing Scope: Describe the testing scope of the application, i.e. areas/modules that are in scope, out of scope, and also areas that cannot be tested due to any restrictions and dependencies.[7]
5. Test Metrics: Make it easy to understand complex data using critical metrics in visual representation such as graphics.
Metrics like[8]:
· No. of test cases planned vs executed
· No. of test cases passed/failed
6. Types of testing performed: Describe the types of testing performed for the product. By doing this we ensure that the product is tested correctly.
· Smoke or Sanity Testing: When a new version is deployed in the test environment, check whether the basic functions are working correctly by running Smoking or Sanity tests. If the test results are successful, the release can be migrated to other testing environments.
· Regression Testing: Regression testing helps us understand whether newly added features or fixed defects do not affect other functionality.
· System Integration Testing: System integration testing ensures that the software works in accordance with the requirements.
7. Test Environment and Tools: Note down all the details of the testing environment used for testing activities (such as Application URL, Database version, and tools used).[9]
8. Learnings During the Test Activity: Document information such as the critical problems you encountered while testing the application and the solutions to these problems. This information is used in future testing activities.
9. Suggestions or Recommendations: You can mention your suggestions, if any, here to serve as guidance in the next testing cycle.
10. Exit Criteria: Define exit criteria to indicate that testing is complete if: the team has successfully performed all planned testing, closed all critical issues, and planned actions to address all open issues in the next release cycle.[9]
11. Sign-Off: If the exit criteria are fulfilled, give approval to ‘go live’. If release criteria are not fulfilled, highlight areas of concern and leave the ‘go live’ decision to senior management and other top-level stakeholders.
References
[1] “What is Test Reporting: Components, Challenges, Create,” BrowserStack. https://www.browserstack.com/test-observability/what-is-test-reporting (accessed Jul. 03, 2024).
[2] D. Graham, Erik Van Veenendaal, I. Evans, and E. Al, Foundations of software testing: ISTQB certification. Andover (United Kingdom): Course Technology Cengage Learning, Cop, 2009.
[3] “How to Write a Good Test Summary Report [Guide],” www.globalapptesting.com, Mar. 01, 2024. https://www.globalapptesting.com/blog/how-to-write-a-good-test-summary-report (accessed Jul. 03, 2024).
[4] “Test Report Template,” Techno PM — Project Management Templates Download, Oct. 21, 2023. https://www.techno-pm.com/blogs/testing/test-report-template (accessed Jul. 03, 2024).
[5] “How To Write QA Test Summary Report Sample?,” Feb. 06, 2023. https://www.qatouch.com/blog/how-to-write-qa-test-summary-report/ (accessed Jul. 03, 2024).
[6] T. Hamilton, “Test Summary Reports Tutorial: Learn with Example & Template,” Guru99.com, Nov. 18, 2019. https://www.guru99.com/how-test-reports-predict-the-success-of-your-testing-project.html
[7] “How to write a good Test Summary Report?,” BrowserStack. https://www.browserstack.com/guide/how-to-write-test-summary-report
[8] “How to Write an Effective Test Summary Report [Download Template],” Softwaretestinghelp.com, Jun. 19, 2014. https://www.softwaretestinghelp.com/test-summary-report-template-download-sample/
[9] “What Are Test Reports: With Examples And Best Practices,” www.lambdatest.com. https://www.lambdatest.com/learning-hub/test-reports
