How can you determine the scope of testing for a software system?

1 Identify the objectives and scope of the system

The first step to determine the scope of testing is to understand the objectives and scope of the system that you are testing. What is the purpose and functionality of the system? What are the expected outcomes and benefits of the system? What are the constraints and assumptions of the system? These questions can help you identify the key features and components of the system, as well as the stakeholders and users of the system. You can use various sources of information, such as requirements documents, specifications, use cases, user stories, diagrams, and prototypes, to gain a clear and comprehensive view of the system.

2 Define the testing strategy and approach

The next step is to define the testing strategy and approach that you will use to test the system. The testing strategy is a high-level plan that outlines the goals, scope, resources, methods, and tools of testing. The testing approach is a detailed description of how you will conduct the testing activities, such as test design, test execution, test reporting, and test management. You can use various factors, such as the system complexity, risk level, quality standards, testing budget, testing schedule, testing environment, and testing team, to determine the most suitable and effective testing strategy and approach for your system.

3 Select the testing levels and types

The third step is to select the testing levels and types that you will perform on the system. The testing levels are the different stages of testing that correspond to the different phases of the system development life cycle, such as unit testing, integration testing, system testing, and acceptance testing. The testing types are the different categories of testing that focus on different aspects or attributes of the system, such as functional testing, non-functional testing, regression testing, and exploratory testing. You can use various criteria, such as the system architecture, dependencies, interfaces, requirements, specifications, and user feedback, to select the most relevant and appropriate testing levels and types for your system.

4 Identify the test scope items and criteria

The fourth step is to identify the test scope items and criteria that you will use to measure and evaluate the testing results. The test scope items are the specific elements or units of the system that will be tested, such as modules, classes, functions, methods, variables, inputs, outputs, scenarios, cases, steps, and expected results. The test scope criteria are the standards or rules that will be used to determine whether the test scope items have passed or failed the testing, such as requirements coverage, defect density, code coverage, performance metrics, usability ratings, and user satisfaction. You can use various techniques, such as test analysis, test design, test case generation, test data preparation, and test estimation, to identify the test scope items and criteria for your system.

6 Review and validate the test scope

The final step is to review and validate the test scope that you have determined for your system. Reviewing the test scope means checking and verifying that the test scope is accurate, complete, consistent, and feasible for the system. Validating the test scope means confirming and approving that the test scope meets the expectations and requirements of the stakeholders and users of the system. You can use various tools, such as test plan, test specification, test matrix, test traceability matrix, and test review checklist, to review and validate the test scope for your system.