The QA professionals have to perform a variety of tests to check
if the software is working in the expected way and satisfying business
requirements. But they have to perform the tests under varying conditions or
variables to produce more reliable test results. A test case helps QA
professionals to determine the conditions or variable under which the tests to
be performed. Normally, a test case defines expected result, pre-conditions and
post-conditions, along with a set of test data.
You can always write the test cases for individual test scenarios
to check if the software satisfies specific business requirements. Also, you
must write the test case based on important parameters like test case ID, test
case description, test scenario, test steps, prerequisites, test data, test
parameters, test environment details, expected result, actual result, and
comments. At the same time, it is also important to make the test cases more
impactful by following a number of best practices.
7 Tips to Write Meaningful and Effective Test Cases
1) Describe the Test Case Clearly
You can easily make the test case effective by focusing on its
name and description. In addition to following a naming convention, you also
need to name the test case based on the module or functional feature to be
tested. Likewise, you must describe the test case clearly to make it easier for
testing professionals to know what needs to be tested. While writing the test
case description, you must include relevant information like tests to be
performed, behaviour to be assessed, preconditions, assumptions, test data, and
test environment details. You can even consider mentioning the test automation
tools to be used for each test.
2) Communicate All Assumptions, Pre-conditions and Post-conditions
While writing a test case, you must communicate the assumptions,
pre-conditions, and post-conditions to testing professionals. The test case
must convey the assumptions that testers will apply to a particular test.
Likewise, it also needs to communicate the pre-conditions to be met before
starting test execution. At the same time, the test case needs to define the
post-conditions that testers must verify after performing the specific test.
You can always include all assumptions, pre-conditions, and post-conditions in
the test case to make it comprehensive and understandable.
3) Identify the Test Data Input
While executing tests, QA professionals require additional time to
identify the test data inputs. You can easily speed up test execution by
including all test data to be used for a specific test case. The test data can
be included in the test case description. However, you must not include all
values in the test data. It is important to pick values representing identical
classes. Also, the test case needs to define the type of test data instead of
real test data values. While selecting test data, you also need to focus
extensively on test coverage.
4) Cover All Verification Points
You can always consider writing test cases for each test scenario.
The division will help testers to focus on a particular feature or
functionality of the software. However, your test plan must convey all
verification points clearly to the testing professionals. The coverage will
ensure that no verification point remains untested. You must compare the test
case with other test documentation to ensure all verification points are
covered.
5) Divide the Test Cases into Sets and Subsets
You can always make the test cases meaningful by dividing them
into sets and subsets. Each set or subset will cover a specific test scenario,
and keep the test cases simple. You can even consider dividing a test with
multiple input combinations into subtests to make the test case understandable.
Also, you need to write functional test cases individually for various sets and
subsets. The separation will make it easier for you to maintain and update the
test cases in future according to new business requirements.
6) Mention Expected Results Elaborately
You must clearly mention the expected results clearly in each test
case. The information will make it easier for testers to understand the outcome
of each test step. Also, the expected test results must include both front-end
and back-end test results. For instance, the expected test result must clearly
convey the details of the user interface and backend systems the testers must
focus on while performing a specific test. You can even consider including
screenshots and additional documents to communicate the expected test results
more clearly to testers.
7) Make the Test Cases Reusable
You can always save time and effort by checking out the existing
test cases. The existing test cases can be easily customized according to the
needs of your current project. However, you have to write fest test cases while
testing new software applications. You still need to explore ways to make the
test cases reusable during the writing process. You can save both time and
effort in future by writing reusable test cases.
You can easily accelerate the software QA testing activities by writing test cases based on all important parameters. Also, you can follow a number of best practices to write meaningful test cases. However, you need to customize the best practices according to the precise needs of a software testing project to make the test cases both effective and consistent.
