How do you cover all software requirements in your testing strategy?

1 Identify and prioritize the software requirements

The first step in your testing strategy is to identify and prioritize the software requirements, which are the specifications and criteria that define what the software should do and how it should perform. You can use various sources and methods to gather and document the software requirements, such as interviews, surveys, user stories, use cases, prototypes, and diagrams. You should also classify the software requirements into functional and non-functional categories, and assign them a priority level based on their importance, urgency, and risk. This will help you to focus your testing efforts on the most critical and valuable features and functionalities of the software.

2 Choose the appropriate testing levels and types

The next step in your testing strategy is to choose the appropriate testing levels and types for each software requirement, depending on its scope, complexity, and dependency. Testing levels are the stages of the SDLC where testing is performed, such as unit testing, integration testing, system testing, and acceptance testing. Testing types are the methods and techniques used to verify and validate the software requirements, such as functional testing, non-functional testing, regression testing, and exploratory testing. You should select the testing levels and types that best suit the software requirement, and ensure that they are aligned with the overall objectives and standards of the project.

3 Define the testing criteria and metrics

The third step in your testing strategy is to define the testing criteria and metrics that will measure the quality and performance of the software against the software requirements. Testing criteria are the conditions and rules that determine whether a software requirement is met or not, such as test cases, test scenarios, test data, and expected outcomes. Testing metrics are the quantitative and qualitative indicators that evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of the testing process, such as test coverage, defect density, defect severity, and test execution time. You should establish clear and realistic testing criteria and metrics for each software requirement, and use them to monitor and report the testing results and progress.

4 Plan and schedule the testing activities

The fourth step in your testing strategy is to plan and schedule the testing activities that will execute the testing levels and types for each software requirement. Testing activities are the tasks and actions that are performed during the testing process, such as test design, test development, test execution, test analysis, and test reporting. You should plan and schedule the testing activities according to the priority, dependency, and complexity of the software requirements, and allocate the necessary resources, tools, and personnel for each testing activity. You should also consider the potential risks, constraints, and dependencies that may affect the testing activities, and prepare contingency plans and mitigation strategies for them.

5 Implement and document the testing process

The fifth step in your testing strategy is to implement and document the testing process that will apply the testing criteria and metrics to the software requirements. Implementing the testing process means executing the testing activities according to the plan and schedule, and verifying and validating the software requirements using the testing levels and types. Documenting the testing process means recording and reporting the testing results, findings, issues, and feedback using the testing criteria and metrics. You should implement and document the testing process in a consistent, transparent, and traceable way, and use the testing documentation to communicate and collaborate with the stakeholders, users, and clients.

6 Review and improve the testing strategy

The final step in your testing strategy is to review and improve the testing strategy based on the testing process and the software requirements. Reviewing the testing strategy means evaluating and assessing the testing process and the software quality and performance using the testing metrics and feedback. Improving the testing strategy means identifying and implementing the areas and opportunities for improvement and optimization in the testing process and the software requirements. You should review and improve the testing strategy regularly and iteratively, and use the lessons learned and best practices to enhance the testing quality and efficiency in your SDLC.

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?