Test Case Specification: Everything You Need to Know

Quality and reliability are paramount when building and delivering a product. And how do you do it? By taking test specifications into the spotlight. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the features of test case specification and equip you with the knowledge and insights needed to master this essential aspect of software testing.

But what makes a company care about test case specification in software testing in the first place? Accept this: The Consortium for IT Software Quality (CISQ) 2022 update report estimated the cost of poor software quality in the US to have grown to at least $2.41 trillion. That is exactly why you should learn and understand the concept of test case specification, explore its various components, know real-world examples, and follow best practices. 

What is Test Case Specification?

A test case specification in software testing is a critical document that outlines the precise steps and conditions for testing a specific aspect of a software application. It acts as a detailed blueprint, outlining precisely what scenarios need testing, how to conduct those tests, and how frequently they should be performed for a specific software feature. 

Each test case within the specification is uniquely identified, described, and often linked to preconditions and dependencies. Test runners rely on these specifications to determine which test suites to execute, making them crucial instructions for testing teams. By following these meticulously crafted instructions, software testers can systematically evaluate software functionality. 

Test case specifications not only enhance the quality of testing but also provide a clear reference for developers when addressing identified issues, ultimately contributing to the overall reliability and robustness of the software.

A comprehensive Test Specification should encompass the test’s purpose, a clear list of required inputs and expected outputs, instructions on how to execute the test, and benchmarks for pass/fail criteria. 

Why is Test Specification Important?

A test specification is important for several reasons:

• Test Specifications provide clear and precise instructions on what scenarios to test, how to test them, and what the expected outcomes should be. This clarity ensures that testers have a comprehensive understanding of their testing objectives, reducing ambiguity and potential errors in the testing process.
• A well-documented specification can be reused for regression testing, future releases, or similar projects. They serve as a valuable reference point, helping testing teams maintain consistency in testing procedures over time and across different testing cycles.
• When a test case fails, it acts as a crucial reference for identifying the root cause of the failure. By comparing the expected outcomes in the specification with the actual results, testers can pinpoint the issues and facilitate efficient debugging and issue resolution.
• It provides a common language and framework for collaboration between QA teams, developers, and other stakeholders.

Identifiers of Test Specifications

In a test specification document, identifiers are used to reference and distinguish individual test cases or test scenarios uniquely. These identifiers help testing teams, developers, and other stakeholders easily locate, identify, and communicate about specific tests within the document or testing framework.

• Test Case Identifier: A unique name or code assigned to each test case within the Test Specification. This identifier is used to reference and distinguish one test case from another. It may include alphanumeric characters, symbols, or a combination of these. For example, a test case identifier might look like “TC001,” “Login_Test,” or “US_123.”
• Test Suite Identifier: In addition to individual test cases, test specifications may organize tests into test suites or groups based on functionality, features, or other criteria. Test suite identifiers provide a way to reference these groups. For example, a test suite identifier might be “TS001” for a suite related to user authentication.
• Version or Iteration Identifier: In cases where Test Specifications are maintained over multiple iterations or versions of the software, version or iteration identifiers can help track which version of the test case or test suite corresponds to which software version. These identifiers may include version numbers or release dates.
• Priority or Severity Identifier: Some Test Specifications may use identifiers to denote the priority or severity of a test case. For example, “P1” for high priority or “S3” for medium severity.
• Input/Output Identifier: In some Test Specifications, especially when dealing with complex test cases or data-driven testing, input and output identifiers are used to specify the data or parameters provided as input to the test and the expected outputs or outcomes. These identifiers are essential for tracking and verifying the correctness of test inputs and expected results. Input identifiers might be like “Input1,” “Input2,” while output identifiers can be “ExpectedOutput1,” “ExpectedOutput2.”
• Unique Test ID: For larger-scale testing efforts or when integration with test management tools is necessary, a globally unique test ID may be used. These IDs are typically generated by test management software and ensure that no two test cases share the same identifier.
• Functional Area Identifier: If testing focuses on specific functional areas of the software (e.g., login functionality, payment processing), functional area identifiers can be used to categorize test cases accordingly. These identifiers might include labels like “Login,” “Checkout,” or “Search.”
• Test Environment Identifier: In situations where tests are conducted in different environments (e.g., development, staging, production), environment-specific identifiers can be added to distinguish where each test should be executed.

Although several identifiers exist, the choice of identifiers and their format may vary among organizations. Amidst this, remember that the key principle is to establish a consistent and easily recognizable naming convention that aids in test case management, tracking, and communication within the testing process.

Components of a Test Specification

A test case specification consists of various components that highlight the requirements and specifications in software testing. Some of the general components that you will find in the document are:

• Title and Revision History: It includes the title of the test specification and a log of revisions made to the document, including dates and descriptions of changes.
• Objective: Clearly state the objectives of the testing effort. What are you trying to achieve through testing? This could include validating certain functionality, ensuring compliance with standards, or identifying defects.
• Scope: Define the scope of the testing effort. What parts of the system or application are included in the testing, and what are excluded? Specify any limitations or constraints.
• Test Objectives: Outline the specific goals and objectives for each test case or test suite.
• Requirements: Specify the functional and non-functional requirements the system or application must meet. These are often derived from project requirements or user stories.
• Design: Provide details on the design of the test cases, including test scenarios, test cases, and test scripts.
• Test Procedures: Describe the step-by-step procedures for executing the tests. Include any preconditions and postconditions for each test.
• Risks and Assumptions: Identify potential risks that could impact the testing process and any assumptions that have been made during test planning.
• Test Deliverables: Specify the expected deliverables from the testing effort, such as test reports, defect logs, and documentation updates.

Types of Test Case Specifications

There are two segments of test specification that deal with varying information. We describe them in detail for you below:

Developer-Level Test Specification

Software developers create a developer-level test specification to guide the testing of specific software components or modules during the development process. It outlines the test objectives, scope, and procedures that developers should follow to ensure their code functions correctly and integrates seamlessly with other parts of the software. The primary goal of this low-level test case specification is to assist coders in running unit tests with a holistic and detailed approach.

Developer-level test specifications are crucial for maintaining code quality, identifying and addressing bugs early in SDLC, and ensuring that software components work harmoniously together. They serve as a vital tool for developers to systematically validate their work, reduce defects, and contribute to a more robust and reliable software product.

High-Level Test Specification

A high-level test specification is a comprehensive document that provides an overarching plan for testing an entire software system. It outlines the strategic aspects of testing, setting the direction for the testing effort. Additionally, the document helps to identify key risks, dependencies, and assumptions related to the testing process.

While not getting into the nitty-gritty of individual test cases, a high-level test specification defines the overall testing strategy, including the types of testing to be performed, such as functional, performance, security, or usability testing. It serves as a roadmap for testing teams, project managers, and stakeholders, ensuring that testing aligns with project goals, schedules, and resource allocation.

Process of Writing Test Specifications

Writing a test specification is a structured process that involves several key steps. Here are the points that a writer of a test specification would need to follow:

• Understand the project’s requirements, including functional, non-functional, and performance aspects.
• Define clear and specific objectives for the testing effort.
• Decide on the types of testing required, such as unit testing, integration testing, system testing, user acceptance testing, security testing, and more, based on project needs.
• Break down the system into testable units to identify the specific components, features, or modules for testing.
• Develop a detailed test plan, including test scenarios, test cases, and test scripts. 
• Define the input data, expected outcomes, and any preconditions or postconditions for each test.
• Provide step-by-step instructions on how to execute each test, including any setup or configuration steps.
• Describe the input/output criteria in detail for each test.
• Describe the hardware, software, and network configurations needed for testing.
• Clearly define the criteria that will determine whether a test has passed or failed. This might include specific outcomes, error thresholds, or performance benchmarks.
• Describe the process for obtaining sign-off from stakeholders once testing is complete. This may include formal acceptance criteria.
• Once approved, maintain the test specification document throughout the testing process. Update it as needed to reflect any changes or discoveries during testing.
• Execute the tests according to the specification, documenting results and any issues encountered. Generate test reports and share them with stakeholders.

Test Case Specification Document Example

A test specification report will consist of multiple sections, such as test case overview, summary, objectives, input specifications, pre-conditions, and more. Below, you can access a simple sample for test specifications.

You can download this example specification document for testing, which comes with pre-filled data. Please note that in a real-world scenario, you would typically tailor this template to your specific project’s needs and include more detailed information.

Use Testsigma to run your web application tests in an automated way, as per this sample document.

Best Practices for Writing Test Specifications

When documenting a test case specification, being clear and accurate is the topmost requirement. You can follow the following best practices to ensure that your report is as detailed and correct as they come:

• Write in the present tense for clarity and readability.
• Keep test case specifications brief, ideally under 150 characters, and avoid unnecessary filler words’ to ensure simplicity and efficiency.
• Establish a standardized format for your test case specifications, including a clear structure that covers inputs, actions, and expected outcomes.
• Focus on the input and output to precisely define the conditions. Follow the format ‘actual output when provided input.’ For instance, ‘the return value of the module is 7 when the input is valid.’
• Choose the appropriate level of testing based on the context. High-level test specifications are suitable for end-to-end tests, while developer-level specifications are best for unit tests. This consistency ensures effective testing efforts across the software development process.
• Incorporate comments or annotations within your test case specifications to provide additional context or explanations where needed. These comments can be invaluable for both testers and developers.
• Keep your specification document under version control to track changes and updates over time, ensuring traceability and accountability.

Role of the Document in Test Automation

A test specification document plays a pivotal role in the test automation process by serving as a foundational reference and guide for creating automated test scripts. Here’s how it influences and contributes to test automation:

Blueprint for Test Automation:

The test specification document provides a structured and comprehensive outline of the testing requirements, including test scenarios, test cases, and expected outcomes.

Test automation engineers use this document as a blueprint to design and develop automated test scripts.

Test Script Development:

Automation engineers translate the manual test cases and steps outlined in the test specification document into automated scripts. These scripts replicate the actions and verifications described in the document.

The document specifies the input data, preconditions, and expected results, which are critical for writing automation code accurately.

Test Coverage:

The test specification document ensures that the test automation process covers all necessary test cases.

Validation of Automation Scripts:

Automation testers use the test specification as a reference to validate that the automated scripts accurately reflect the intended test cases. This step ensures that the automation aligns with the manual testing requirements.

Maintenance and Updates:

As the application evolves, the document serves as a point of reference for updating and maintaining automated test scripts. Any changes or enhancements to the software can be mapped back to the document, allowing testers to adapt the scripts accordingly.

Traceability and Reporting:

Test specification documents offer traceability, linking manual test cases to their corresponding automated scripts. This ensures that automated tests align with the intended manual testing process. It also plays a role in generating test reports, as it defines the expected outcomes and success criteria for each test case.

Test Case Specification Document Explained with Testsigma

In one of the above sections, we talked about different components of the test case specification document. All those features highlight the information contained in the report. You can combine them with Testsigma to make the most of your automation testing:

Test Cases

A test case specification has the description and outline of the test cases that need to be automated. With Testsigma, testers can easily create and run automated tests using pre-defined NLPs. There is an option to execute both web and mobile application automation testing.

Test Data

A section of the document pertains to all the input data required for executing the tests. It contains the specific conditions or requirements that must be met before executing the test case. Testsigma’s test data management feature proves useful here. The tool comes equipped with the option to import data manually and automatically generate test data during the run time.

Reporting and Analytics

The test case specification document further mentions the expected results and the responsible stakeholders’ role. All of this would come under the Test Deliverables component. The Testsigma tool provides testers with the ability to analyze the test results (in multiple test environments), receive the necessary details using screenshots, videos, and test logs, and automate bug reporting.

Integrations

Automating bug reporting for logging defects in Testsigma is done through integrations. Our tool can support integrations with CI/CD platforms, defect management tools, collaboration tools, and test labs.

Collaboration

Another essential segment of test case specification is the mention of individuals working on the project. An automation tool like Testsigma comes with the option to connect with multiple collaboration platforms, such as Slack, MS Teams, and Google Chat.

Want to take your testing efforts a notch higher with elaborate test case specification documents? Schedule a demo with Testsigma to build end-to-end tests 5X faster for web, mobile apps, & APIs.

Conclusion

Test specifications are critical documents that cover your complete testing process. From talking about the objectives and goals of the testing to delegating work and highlighting the test cases, this report is a must for every QA team. But before you start working on it, understand the importance, components, format, and best practices of making a specification document for testing. And don’t forget to go through the test cases specification example with pre-filled information.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a test specification table?

A test case specification table is a document or spreadsheet used in software testing to outline and organize the details of individual test cases. It is also referred to as a test case table or test matrix.

What is test design specification and test case specification?

Test Design Specification (TDS) and Test Case Specification (TCS) are two distinct documents used in software testing.

The test design specification outlines the overall testing strategy and approach for a specific testing effort. It provides a high-level view of how testing will be organized, what types of tests will be conducted, and the rationale behind these decisions. On the other hand, The test case specification is a detailed document that describes individual test cases to be executed during testing. It provides specific instructions on how to test a particular aspect of the software, including inputs, expected outcomes, and pass/fail criteria.