Chapter 4: Test Management

Test Planning

Creating a roadmap for testing activities.

Test Strategy vs Test Plan

Test Strategy: High-level approach Test Plan: Detailed execution plan

# Example: Risk-based test prioritization
def prioritize_tests(test_cases):
    """Prioritize based on risk = probability × impact"""
    for test in test_cases:
        test.risk_score = test.probability * test.impact
    
    return sorted(test_cases, key=lambda x: x.risk_score, reverse=True)

Test Estimation

Techniques for estimating test effort:

1. Expert Judgment: Based on experience
2. Work Breakdown: Divide into smaller tasks
3. Three-Point Estimation: Best, worst, likely scenarios

Estimate = (Best + 4×Likely + Worst) / 6

Entry & Exit Criteria

Entry Criteria (When to start testing):

• Code is checked in
• Build is successful
• Test environment ready

Exit Criteria (When to stop testing):

• All planned tests executed
• 95% pass rate achieved
• No critical bugs open

Test Metrics

Track testing progress and quality:

def calculate_test_metrics(total_tests, passed, failed, blocked):
    pass_rate = (passed / total_tests) * 100
    defect_density = failed / total_tests
    
    return {
        'pass_rate': pass_rate,
        'defect_density': defect_density,
        'test_coverage': (passed + failed) / total_tests * 100
    }

Key Takeaways

✅ Plan testing activities early ✅ Use risk-based prioritization ✅ Define clear entry/exit criteria ✅ Track metrics to measure progress

Complete Lab 4 to create a complete test plan!