Software Testing Documentation: Best Practices & Guide

Software testing is one of the most important phases of the software development lifecycle. 

It is a step that tells you whether whatever you’re developing is in line with the client’s requirements or not. But what’s the role of software testing documentation? 

Do we really need it in the development process? 

Can we start the testing without software testing documentation and jump right into the action? 

In this guide, we’ll explain to you exactly what, why, and how software documentation is important to the software development lifecycle. Also, we will share tips on the best practices and strategies to build action-oriented test documentation. 

Let’s get started. 

What is Software Testing Documentation?

Software testing documentation is a documented source of all testing activities during the testing process. This includes test plans, test cases, test data, test scenarios, and requirement traceability matrix. 

These documents include documentation of all the artifacts that are created before, during, and after the testing period, along with an estimation of how much testing effort is still pending to complete the Product Increment. 

Some of the other important things or information you can get from software testing documents are resource tracking, project execution progress, any roadblocks or issues, etc. 

Key Components of Software Testing Documentation

So, what makes up a software testing documentation? 

We have listed the most important components that must be included within this document to get a complete picture of the software quality and its effectiveness. 

1. Test Policy

A test policy is a document that enlists a number of testing policies put in while developing software. In test policy, you’ll know whether your test plan is abiding by the method and test policies set by the company or not. 

2. Test Strategy

A test strategy document is also a high-level document that briefly educates about the test levels or types that need to be executed for the project.

3. Test Plan

A test plan is a foundational document that outlines the overall testing strategy for a project. It defines the scope, approach, resources, schedule, and activities involved in software testing. It provides a clear framework for what will be tested, how it will be tested, and who will perform the testing.

4. Requirements Traceability Matrix (RTM)

A requirement traceability matrix is a document that maps the user requirements with the test cases. It’s usually presented in a table format to trace the requirements, both from requirement to coding or coding to requirements. 

This is also the document that’s kept as a liaison between the client and the agile development team, where the client can clearly see what requirements are being ticked off from the list and get regular updates on test status. 

5. Test Scenario

A test scenario is a short descriptive sentence specifying a particular function/part of an application that needs to be tested. It guarantees that all the major process flows are validated appropriately. 

Although a single test scenario may be adequate for the basic parts of an application, hundreds of scenarios may be necessary to provide full test coverage for the critical and complex parts of the application.

6. Test Cases

Test cases are detailed instructions designed to validate specific functionalities of the software. Each test case defines the test inputs, expected results, and the conditions under which the test is executed. Test cases ensure that all features are covered and that the system behaves as expected.

Test cases consist of a variety of types, such as logical, functional, error, negative, physical, and UI test cases.

Test cases are important so that full testing coverage and progress are monitored. Although no standardized templates are available for test cases, they usually consist of the following components:

• Test Case ID
• Product Module
• Product Version
• Revision History
• Purpose
• Assumptions
• Pre-conditions
• Steps
• Expected Outcome
• Actual Outcome
• Post-conditions

A single test scenario can correspond to multiple test cases, and conversely, a single application might require numerous test cases. So, they are collectively forming what is referred to as a test suite.

7. Test Data

Test data refers to the inputs used during the execution of test cases. It can include valid and invalid data used to verify that the software works as intended under different conditions. Test data helps assess the accuracy of outputs and the system’s response to varying inputs.

8. Bug Report

A bug report documents the defects discovered during testing. It includes a detailed description of the issue, steps to reproduce, expected versus actual results, severity, and status updates as the issue progresses through the resolution process. Bug reports are crucial for tracking and managing defects across teams.

9. Test Execution Report

After testing is completed, a test execution report summarises the results of the test cycle. It provides insights into which test cases passed and which failed and includes overall metrics such as pass/fail percentages. This report helps assess the quality of the software and the effectiveness of the testing efforts.

10. Test Summary Report

The test summary report offers a high-level overview of the testing activities and results. It summarises the testing process, key findings, and any issues encountered. It helps stakeholders quickly understand the state of the project and whether it is ready for release.

Types of Test Documentation

The types of test documentation can vary based on the testing approach (manual vs. automated), the focus of the tests (performance, security, acceptance), and the intended stakeholders (internal teams vs. external clients),  

1. Manual Testing Documentation

Manual testing involves human testers executing test cases without automation tools. Testers typically use these documents to guide the process and record outcomes.

Key documents:

• Test plan
• Test scenarios
• Test cases
• Test execution logs
• Bug reports

2. Automated Testing Documentation

Automated testing relies on scripts and tools to execute tests automatically, improving efficiency and scalability, especially for repetitive tasks. 

Key documents:

• Test scripts
• Automation framework details
• Test execution reports

3. Internal Stakeholders

Internal stakeholders are typically members of the testing, development, and management teams who are directly involved in the day-to-day execution and oversight of the testing process.

Key documents for internal stakeholders:

• Test strategy document
• Test case and test script repository
• Test execution reports.

4. External Stakeholders

External stakeholders include clients, end-users, and third-party vendors who have a vested interest in the software’s quality and performance but are not directly involved in its development or testing.

Key documents for external stakeholders:

• Test summary report
• User acceptance test reports
• Security and compliance reports.

Best Practices for Software Testing Documentation

Below are a number of tips for keeping your test documentation neat, practical, relevant, and, most importantly, effective:

Get QA Involved Early

Introduce the QA team to the project from the beginning. This allows the generation of test documentation at the same time as the development so that nothing is missed and the tests are in accordance with the needs of the project.

Keep It Updated

Don’t just create test documents and forget about them. Update them regularly as the project evolves. This ensures your documentation reflects the latest changes, test strategies, and requirements.

Use Version Control

Implement version control for your test documentation. This provides an audit trail, prevents mistakes, and guarantees that all users are using the latest version. It also lets you reference previous versions when needed.

Document What’s Necessary

Concentrate on describing what is required to make sense of the work in front of you and what the stakeholders need to have in view. It should be brief yet sufficiently detailed to prevent misinterpretations and guarantee satisfactory test coverage.

Standardize Formats

Utilize templates for documents (e.g., Excel, Word). This allows it to be more easily controlled and guarantees uniformity for all of your test papers.

Centralize Document Storage

Store all your test documentation in one convenient place. This helps the whole team easily find the documents to update date and ensures that all documents are kept up to date and organized.

Avoid Scanty Detailing

Lack of information is one of the greatest errors made. Be thorough with your documentation to avoid confusion later. The more detailed and precise it is, the fewer opportunities there are for mistakes or missed tests.

FAQs

Conclusion

Software testing documentation is the backbone of a well-executed testing process, ensuring clarity, organization, and alignment with project goals. It acts as a guide for teams, detailing plans, progress, and results while fostering collaboration. 

If you follow the best practices like involving QA early, updating documents regularly, and centralizing storage, you can avoid errors and streamline efforts. Thorough and effective documentation saves time, reduces misunderstandings, and ultimately leads to delivering reliable, high-quality software.