An IEEE standard for documenting the testing of software. The standard typically applies to any stage in the testing of developing software, and each stage in the software's development typically is documented using the same application of the standard. The IEEE specifies eight stages in the documentation process, each stage producing its own separate document.
Test Plan: A detail of how the test will proceed, who will do the testing, what will be tested, in how much time the test will take place, and to what quality level the test will be performed.
Test Design Specification: A detail of the test conditions and the expected outcome. This document also includes details of how a successful test will be recognized.
Test Case Specification: A detail of the specific data that is necessary to run tests based on the conditions identified in the previous stage.
Test Procedure Specification: A detail of how the tester will physically run the test, the physical set-up required, and the procedure steps that need to be followed.
Test Item Transmittal Report: A detail of when specific tested items have been passed from one stage of testing to another.
Test Log: A detail of what tests cases were run, who ran the tests, in what order they were run, and whether or not individual tests were passed or failed.
Test Incident Report: A detail of the actual versus expected results of a test, when a test has failed, and anything indicating why the test failed.
Test Summary Report: A detail of all the important information to come out of the testing procedure, including an assessment of how well the testing was performed, an assessment of the quality of the system, any incidents that occurred, and a record of what testing was done and how long it took to be used in future test planning. This final document is used to determine if the software being tested is viable enough to proceed to the next stage of development.
IEEE 829 also is referred to as the 829 Standard for Software Test Documentation.
TEST PLAN OUTLINE
(IEEE 829 Format)
1. Test Plan Identifier
2. References
3. Introduction
4. Test Items
5. Software Risk Issues
6. Features to be Tested
7. Features not to be Tested
8. Approach
9. Item Pass/Fail Criteria
10. Suspension Criteria and Resumption Requirements
11. Test Deliverables
12. Remaining Test Tasks
13. Environmental Needs
14. Staffing and Training Needs
15. Responsibilities
16. Schedule
17. Planning Risks and Contingencies
18. Approvals
19. Glossary
IEEE TEST PLAN TEMPLATE
Test Plan Identifier
Some type of unique company generated number to identify this test plan, its level and the level of software that it is related to. Preferably the test plan level will be the same as the related software level. The number may also identify whether the test plan is a Master plan, a Level plan, an integration plan or whichever plan level it represents. This is to assist in coordinating software and testware versions within configuration management.
Keep in mind that test plans are like other software documentation, they are dynamic in nature and must be kept up to date. Therefore, they will have revision numbers.
You may want to include author and contact information including the revision history information as part of either the identifier section of as part of the introduction.
References
List all documents that support this test plan. Refer to the actual version/release number of the document as stored in the configuration management system. Do not duplicate the text from other documents as this will reduce the viability of this document and increase the maintenance effort. Documents that can be referenced include:
Project Plan
Requirements specifications
High Level design document
Detail design document
Development and Test process standards
Methodology guidelines and examples
Corporate standards and guidelines
Introduction
State the purpose of the Plan, possibly identifying the level of the plan (master etc.). This is essentially the executive summary part of the plan.
You may want to include any references to other plans, documents or items that contain information relevant to this project/process. If preferable, you can create a references section to contain all reference documents.
Identify the Scope of the plan in relation to the Software Project plan that it relates to. Other items may include, resource and budget constraints, scope of the testing effort, how testing relates to other evaluation activities (Analysis & Reviews), and possible the process to be used for change control and communication and coordination of key activities.
As this is the "Executive Summary" keep information brief and to the point.
Test Items (Functions)
These are things you intend to test within the scope of this test plan. Essentially, something you will test, a list of what is to be tested. This can be developed from the software application inventories as well as other sources of documentation and information.