What is the most effective way to report software functionality test results to stakeholders?

1 Define the scope and purpose

Before you start writing your report, you need to define the scope and purpose of your testing. What are the objectives, criteria, and methods of your testing? Who are the intended audience and recipients of your report? What are their roles, interests, and expectations? How will they use your report to make decisions or take actions? By answering these questions, you can tailor your report to suit the needs and preferences of your stakeholders.

2 Use a standard format and structure

A standard format and structure can help you organize your report and make it easy to read and understand. A common format for software functionality test reports includes an executive summary, introduction, test results, test analysis, test conclusion, and test recommendations. The executive summary should offer a brief overview of the main findings, conclusions, and recommendations of your testing. The introduction should provide more information about the test objectives, scope, methods, assumptions, limitations, and dependencies of your testing. The test results should include the test cases, scenarios, inputs, outputs, expected and actual outcomes, pass and fail criteria, and deviations of your testing. Visual aids such as tables, charts, graphs or screenshots can be used to illustrate the results. Test analysis should evaluate the implications and impacts of your test results by identifying, classifying and prioritizing the issues found in your testing. The test conclusion should state whether the software met the requirements and expectations of your testing. Lastly, the test recommendations should provide clear guidance on how to resolve issues or bugs found in your testing as well as how to enhance the quality or security of the software.

3 Write with clarity and accuracy

Your report should be clear and accurate in conveying your test results and analysis. You should use simple and precise language, avoid jargon and ambiguity, and explain any acronyms or technical terms. You should also use consistent and appropriate terminology, grammar, spelling, punctuation, and formatting throughout your report. You should check your report for any errors, inconsistencies, or gaps in your test results and analysis, and verify your data and evidence with reliable sources.

6 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?