Test Analysis | What it is, Purpose & Complete Work Flow 

Analyzing each test case is necessary to ensure it meets specific criteria and benchmarks. But what exactly is test analysis, and how does it fit into the software development process?

This blog post will answer that question by exploring the ins and outs of 

• test analysis, 
• including its purpose, 
• benefits, and 
• complete workflow. 

We will break down the entire process step-by-step, from the initial planning phase to the final report and analysis.  Get here – Workflow Testing

Let us BEGIN!

What is Test Analysis?

Test analysis inspects and analyzes the test artifacts to create test conditions or cases. Test analysis aims to collect requirements and create test objectives to establish test conditions. As a result, it’s also known as Test Basis.

Test analysis is the first step in the test design process. It is essential to perform test analysis carefully and thoroughly to ensure the test cases are complete and adequate.

What is the purpose of the test analysis?

Test analysis aims to identify any defects or weaknesses in the software and recommend further testing or improvement. It is an essential part of the software testing process and helps ensure the software is tested.

Here are some specific purposes:

• To identify defects in the software.
• To determine the severity of defects.
• To focus on defects for fixing.
• To make recommendations for further testing.
• To improve the testing process.
• To guarantee that the software meets its needs.
• To reduce the risk of defects being released to production.

The test analysis results can improve the testing process, such as identifying areas where the testing was ineffective or if new test cases need to be created.

Why is test analysis critical?

Test analysis is essential because it helps ensure that the correct tests are executed, and the results are accurately interpreted. By carefully analyzing the test results, testers can identify potential defects in the software and recommend corrective actions.

Test analysis is also essential for improving the overall quality of the testing process. By understanding the strengths and weaknesses of the test cases, testers can make necessary adjustments. This will improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the testing process.

What are the criteria for test analysis?

The criteria for test analysis vary depending on the specific project and the testing methodology used. However, some standard criteria include:

• Completeness

Do the test cases and test suites cover all required functionality and performance requirements?

• Correctness

Are the test cases well-designed and accurate?

• Effectiveness

Are the test cases effective in identifying defects?

• Efficiency

Can the test cases be executed quickly and efficiently?

• Maintainability

Can the test cases be easily updated and maintained?

Issues encountered when Test Analysis is done during Black Box Testing

Black box testing is a type of software testing performed without any knowledge of the internal structure of the software. 

This can make test analysis challenging. Because testers need to rely on their understanding of the software requirements and their own experience to design and execute effective test cases.

Some of the specific issues of test analysis in black box testing include:

• Identifying all possible inputs: It can be difficult to identify all possible inputs to a black box system, especially for complex systems. This can lead to incomplete test coverage.
• Designing test cases for internal states: It can be challenging to design them for internal states of a black box system, as testers cannot directly observe them. This can lead to ineffective test cases.
• Interpreting test results: It can be challenging to interpret the results of black box tests. This is because the testers cannot directly observe the internal behavior of the system. This can make it difficult to identify the root cause of test failures.

An Approach to Test Analysis Based on Test Categories

Test analysis based on test categories is a systematic approach that divides test cases into categories based on their purpose. 

This can help ensure that all aspects of the software are tested, and the test cases are effective.

The following are some standard test categories:

Functional testing

Tests the functionality of the software to ensure that it meets the requirements. This includes testing the software’s features,  user interface, and user experience.

Performance testing

Tests the performance of the software to ensure that it can handle the expected load and respond within acceptable timeframes. This includes testing the scalability of the software, as well as its throughput and response time.

Security testing

Tests the security of the software to identify and mitigate any vulnerabilities. This includes testing the software for common security weaknesses, such as SQL injection and cross-site scripting.

Usability testing

Tests the usability of the software to ensure that it is easy to learn and use. This includes testing the software for navigability, clarity, and consistency.

Example of Test Analysis Based on Test Categories

Consider a simple web application that allows users to log in, register, and view a list of products. The test cases for this application could be categorized as follows:

• Functional testing:
  • Login test cases
  • Registration test cases
  • Product viewing test cases
• Performance testing:
  • Login performance test cases
  • Registration performance test cases
  • Product viewing performance test cases
• Security testing:
  • Login security test cases
  • Registration security test cases
  • Product viewing security test cases
• Usability testing:
  • Login usability test cases
  • Registration usability test cases
  • Product viewing usability test cases

Once the test cases have been categorized, the testers can analyze each category to ensure that the test cases are complete, correct, effective, efficient, and maintainable.

How to do Test Analysis: Steps

Testing can be a serious business, but that doesn’t mean we can’t have a little fun with it. So, let’s look at the steps involved in this.

Review test basis:

This is the first step in test analysis, and it involves reviewing the documentation that forms the basis for the test cases. This documentation can include the requirements, design specifications, risk analysis, and any other relevant information. 

Identify test conditions:

Once the test basis has been reviewed, the next step is identifying the test conditions. A test condition is a specific set of circumstances that must be tested. For example, a test condition for a login feature might be “a user is able to login when they enter a valid username and password.” 

Designing test cases:

The next step is to design the test cases. A test case is a document that describes a specific test condition and the steps that need to be taken to execute the test. The test cases should be designed to cover all of the identified test conditions, and they should be written clearly and concisely.

Expected and unexpected inputs:

The final step is to identify the expected and unexpected inputs for each test case. The expected input is the input that is expected to produce the desired output. The unexpected input is an input that is not expected to produce the desired output. The goal of this step is to ensure that the test cases are comprehensive and that they cover all of the possible scenarios.

Here are some additional things to keep in mind:

• Test analysis is an iterative process. 
• The test cases may need to be revised and updated as the software is developed and tested.
• It should be performed by a skilled test analyst who understands the software and the testing process well.
• The test analysis results can improve the testing process and ensure the software is tested thoroughly and effectively.

How can Testsigma help with Test Analysis:

Some features of Testsigma are:

1. Inclusion of review workflow
2. Easily customizable test reports.
3. Easy Test creation/editing/maintenance and execution.
4. Availability of logs/videos and screenshots for executed tests

Conclusion

To sum up, test analysis ensures that tests are effective and efficient and cover all of the essential areas of the software. 

“The purpose of test analysis is to identify and evaluate the test conditions that need to be met to ensure that the software meets its requirements and functions as intended.” – Michael Bolton, Software Testing Expert. 
Try Testsigma and create automated web app tests.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between test design and test analysis?

The Test design process involves creating an exhaustive software application testing plan. This includes identifying test conditions, designing test cases, and determining the necessary test data and expected outcomes. 

Test analysis, however, involves analyzing the software system’s requirements and specifications to determine what needs to be tested. The primary focus is understanding the system’s functionality, potential risks, and possible defects to determine the most suitable testing approach.

What is a test analysis report?

A report on test analysis is a complete document that gives an overview of the testing process and its outcomes. It analyzes the test results, highlights any issues or defects, and provides suggestions for improvement. This report helps stakeholders assess the effectiveness of the testing efforts and make informed decisions about the quality of the software.