SQA Design has established a practical approach to software testing that just makes sense. The steps below outline this process.

Step 1 - Take screenshots

Using the Test Step Editor, take screenshots of every screen in the entire application under test. Keep the screenshots organized in folders that represent logical groupings in your application such as modules. Don't worry about the tree structure too much, you can always re-arrange it later by dragging and dropping nodes around.

Step 2 - Decompose your app

Once you have screenshots for every screen in your application, use the Touchpoint Tool in the Test Step editor to create test steps associated with every item you can interact with in each screen. Every button, link, drop down, menu item, form field etc... on each screen should have one or multiple associated test steps created. Create additional steps that are not mapped to any UI components if needed.

Step 3- Create test cases

In the Test Case Editor, create test cases for every screen in the application. The test cases should cover every business function that can be accomplished on every screen. Create the test cases by piecing together the test steps created in step 2.

Step 4 - Create scenarios

In the Scenario Editor, create scenarios that represent actual business usage of the application. Create these scenarios by piecing together the test cases created in step 3.

Don't neglect the power of exploratory testing! Create additional high level scenarios that do not have any test cases in them. These scenarios should give users enough direction to validate a business function, but does not restrict them to the limitations of a rigidly defined test script.

Step 5 - Create test plans

In the Test Plan Editor, create test plans and add scenarios to each plan.

Step 6 - Assign testing to testers

Assess your needs for test resources by looking at your estimated test execution times. Assign the test plans to users. Don't dive into outsourcing unless your ready! Make sure that your tests are clear, concise and effective before considering farming out the work.

Step 7 - Execute your tests

Execute your test assignments. Update test steps, test cases, scenarios and test plans as you encounter issues. Take notes where expected results fail. Refactor your tests be be more efficient. Repeat.

Step 8 - Outsourcing

At this point you should have a suite of test artifacts that can be easily re-organized into a multitude of different test plans. If you've written your plans to be concise with little ambiguity, it's time to take advantage of our managed outsourcing services. Contact us and we'll get you setup and ready to go. In house testers who are subject matter experts can focus on exploratory testing while you get a known amount of test coverage through a cost effective outsourcing solution.