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Test Strategy and Planning

Overview​

A well-defined test strategy and test plan are the foundation of any successful QA effort. As a senior QA engineer, you are expected to drive this process by aligning test efforts with business goals, managing risk, and ensuring that testing is both efficient and effective.

This section breaks down the difference between strategy and planning, outlines how to build each, and explains key techniques used in estimation and scoping.

Difference Between Test Strategy and Test Plan​

AspectTest StrategyTest Plan
DefinitionHigh-level document defining the how of testingDetailed project-specific plan defining the what, when, who
ScopeOrganization or product levelSpecific to a feature, release, or sprint
OwnerQA Lead, Test ArchitectQA Engineer or Test Manager
Change FrequencyRarely changesFrequently updated

Components of a Test Strategy​

A senior QA should be able to draft a formal Test Strategy document including:

  1. Scope and Objectives

    • What will be tested and why
    • High-risk modules and key business areas

  2. Testing Types and Levels

    • Unit, Integration, System, UAT
    • Functional vs non-functional (e.g., performance, security)

  3. Test Design Approach

    • Manual vs automated
    • BDD/TDD strategy
    • Use of test design techniques (equivalence, boundary value, etc.)

  4. Test Environment Strategy

    • Infrastructure requirements
    • Data strategy (synthetic, anonymized)

  5. Defect Management Process

    • Bug lifecycle stages
    • Prioritization/severity standards

  6. Entry and Exit Criteria

    • Define conditions to start/stop testing
    • Metrics to justify closure (coverage %, pass rate, etc.)

  7. Risk Management

    • Known product risks and mitigation plans
    • Contingency planning

  8. Tools & Automation Framework

    • CI/CD tools, automation tools, reporting dashboards

Test Planning in Practice​

A Test Plan is the tactical layer. It outlines how the strategy will be executed for a particular release or project.

Typical Components:​

  • Test Plan ID and Version
  • Features to be Tested / Not Tested
  • Test Deliverables (test cases, logs, bug reports)
  • Schedule & Milestones
  • Resource Allocation
  • Dependencies and Assumptions
  • Communication Plan (stakeholders, frequency)

Test Estimation Techniques​

Reliable estimation is key for resource planning and stakeholder confidence.

Common Estimation Methods:​

  1. Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)

    • Break down tasks (e.g., design, automation, execution)
    • Estimate each separately, then sum

  2. 3-Point Estimation (PERT)

    • Formula: (Optimistic + 4 × Most Likely + Pessimistic) ÷ 6

  3. Use Case Point Estimation

    • Based on use case complexity and testing effort required

  4. Historical Data Reference

    • Use metrics from previous similar projects

💡 Tip: Always add buffer time for defect triage, test maintenance, and exploratory testing.

Best Practices​

  • Involve QA early during requirement analysis
  • Make test strategy a living document; revisit it after retrospectives
  • Align test goals with release and sprint goals
  • Include all stakeholders in reviews of test plans
  • Maintain version control of documents (e.g., in Confluence, SharePoint, Git)

Summary​

As a senior QA, your responsibility extends beyond executing tests — you architect the test process. A strong strategy and precise planning minimize risk, maximize coverage, and streamline communication across the team. Always ensure the strategy is living, data-informed, and business-aligned.

"Failing to plan is planning to fail — especially in QA."