How do you conduct a test design audit and review?

1 Prepare for the audit

Before you start the audit, you need to define the scope, criteria, and methods of the audit. You should also gather the relevant documents and artifacts, such as test cases, test plans, test scripts, test data, test reports, and test metrics. You should also select the audit team, which may include testers, test managers, developers, business analysts, and stakeholders. You should communicate the audit objectives, expectations, and schedule to the audit team and the auditees.

2 Review the test strategy and plan

The first step of the audit is to review the test strategy and plan, which provide the overall direction and approach for testing. You should check if the test strategy and plan are clear, consistent, and comprehensive. You should also verify if they cover the test scope, test levels, test types, test techniques, test tools, test resources, test risks, test deliverables, and test quality criteria. You should also evaluate if they align with the project objectives, requirements, and standards.

3 Review the test scenarios and cases

The next step of the audit is to review the test scenarios and cases, which describe the specific situations and actions for testing. You should check if the test scenarios and cases are complete, accurate, and traceable to the requirements. You should also verify if they cover the positive, negative, and boundary cases, as well as the expected and actual results. You should also evaluate if they follow the test design techniques, such as equivalence partitioning, boundary value analysis, decision table testing, state transition testing, etc.

4 Review the test scripts and data

The third step of the audit is to review the test scripts and data, which provide the detailed instructions and inputs for executing the test cases. You should check if the test scripts and data are consistent, reliable, and reusable. You should also verify if they follow the coding standards, naming conventions, and best practices. You should also evaluate if they use the appropriate test automation tools, frameworks, and libraries.

5 Review the test execution and results

The fourth step of the audit is to review the test execution and results, which show the outcome and performance of the testing. You should check if the test execution and results are documented, reported, and analyzed. You should also verify if they measure the test coverage, test effectiveness, test efficiency, and test quality. You should also evaluate if they identify and resolve the test defects, issues, and risks.

6 Review the test improvement and feedback

The final step of the audit is to review the test improvement and feedback, which provide the recommendations and actions for enhancing the test design and process. You should check if the test improvement and feedback are based on the audit findings, observations, and suggestions. You should also verify if they address the root causes, gaps, and areas of improvement. You should also evaluate if they follow the PDCA (plan-do-check-act) cycle or other improvement models.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?