How do you test all system scenarios and cases?

1 Define the scope and objectives

Before you start testing, you need to define the scope and objectives of your system integration and testing (SIT) activities. What are the main functions and features of the system? What are the expected inputs and outputs? What are the performance and reliability criteria? What are the risks and assumptions? These questions will help you narrow down the focus and scope of your testing, and avoid wasting time and resources on irrelevant or redundant tests.

2 Identify the scenarios and cases

Next, you need to identify the scenarios and cases that you want to test. A scenario is a description of a situation or event that involves the system and its stakeholders. A case is a specific instance of a scenario with defined inputs, outputs, and expected results. You can use various techniques to generate scenarios and cases, such as use cases, user stories, scenarios of use, scenarios of misuse, fault trees, failure modes and effects analysis, and risk analysis. The goal is to cover all the normal, abnormal, and exceptional situations that the system may encounter, and verify that it behaves correctly and consistently.

3 Design the test procedures

Once you have the scenarios and cases, you need to design the test procedures that will execute them. A test procedure is a step-by-step instruction that guides the tester through the test case, including the setup, execution, verification, and teardown. You should document the test procedures in a clear and concise manner, using tables, diagrams, or code as appropriate. You should also specify the test environment, the test data, the test tools, and the test criteria for each test case.

4 Execute the test procedures

The next step is to execute the test procedures according to the test plan and schedule. You should follow the test procedures carefully and record the test results and any deviations or anomalies. You should also monitor the system performance and behavior during the test execution, and collect any relevant data or logs for analysis. You should use automated or semi-automated tools to execute the test procedures whenever possible, to reduce human errors and increase efficiency.

5 Analyze the test results

After executing the test procedures, you need to analyze the test results and compare them with the expected results. You should identify any discrepancies, failures, or defects in the system, and determine their root causes and impacts. You should also evaluate the system performance and reliability against the criteria, and identify any gaps or weaknesses. You should document the test analysis and report the findings and recommendations to the stakeholders.

6 Repeat and refine

The final step is to repeat and refine the testing process until you achieve the desired level of confidence and quality in the system. You should review the test results and feedback, and prioritize the actions and improvements that are needed. You should also update the test procedures, test data, test tools, and test criteria as necessary, to reflect the changes and enhancements in the system. You should retest the system after each iteration, and verify that the issues are resolved and the requirements are met.

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?