Entry Criteria for Software Testing
Entry criteria in software testing refer to the prerequisites that must be met before testing activities can commence in a software development project. Entry criteria typically vary depending on the specific testing phase or level. The specific entry criteria may vary from one project to another, depending on factors like the software development methodology (e.g., Agile, Waterfall), project size and the organizational processes.
Entry criteria in software testing are typically defined by the project or software testing team in collaboration with stakeholders, including the product owner, business analysts, software developers and software quality assurance professionals. These entry criteria are established to ensure that the software testing process can begin effectively and efficiently. Common examples of entry criteria in software testing might include:
1. Requirements Documentation: Clear and complete software requirements documentation is crucial for software testing. Detailed and approved functional requirements, non-functional requirements and design documents should be available to the software testing team for reference.
2. Test Documentation: Test plan, test cases and other testing documentation should be developed and reviewed before software testing begins.
(A). Test Plan: A detailed test plan should be in place, outlining the scope, objectives, and strategy for testing. This plan helps guide the software testing process.
(B). Test Cases: Test cases should be developed and reviewed. These test cases should cover various scenarios, including positive and negative test cases, boundary cases, and special cases.
(C). Test Scripts: If automated testing is being used, test scripts should be created and reviewed. These scripts should be ready to execute against the software.
(D). Traceability Matrix: Verify that the all user requirements are covered in the test cases designed and the test cases are mapped to requirements.
3. Test Data Preparation: Test data, which is necessary to execute test cases, should be prepared and made available before testing begins. This data can include input values, expected results, and any specific test data configurations. This data may include both valid and invalid inputs to test various scenarios.
4. Test Data Backup: It's essential to back up any existing data before testing, especially if the testing involves data manipulation or destructive testing.
5. Test Environment Setup: Before testing can begin, the testing environment, including the installation of necessary hardware, software, and network configurations, should be set up and configured correctly. Automation testing tools required for the project should be installed and configured as needed.
6. Testing Team: The software testing team should be identified and trained, ensuring that team members have the necessary skills and knowledge to perform software testing tasks effectively.
7. Test Schedule: A testing schedule should be established, outlining when software testing activities will commence, how long they will take, and when they are expected to be completed.
8. Code Stability: The software under test should be in a stable state with all the necessary features implemented and free from major defects that could prevent testing.
9. Defect Management System: A process for reporting and tracking defects should be established. This ensures that any issues discovered during testing can be documented, prioritized, and addressed.
10. Exit Criteria: The exit criteria for the software testing phase, which define when testing is considered complete, should be established and agreed upon.
11. Stakeholder Approval: Relevant stakeholders should provide formal approval for the start of software testing activities, confirming that all entry criteria have been met.
In summary, entry criteria are essential in software testing to establish a baseline for software readiness, ensure efficient resource allocation, mitigate risks and ultimately deliver a high-quality software product to the end-users. They are a fundamental part of the software testing process and contribute to the overall success of a software development project.
Also read - Exit Criteria In Software Testing