Test Case vs Test Scenario – What are the Differences?

In the software testing lifecycle, you’d come across two of the most common terms: test cases and test scenarios. After all, these are the building blocks of testing. Getting them right is critical to product success.

Test Case vs Test Scenario – Overview

What is a Test case? 

A test case is a document that describes the steps, conditions, and expected results for verifying the functionality of a certain feature or component in a software application. It basically acts as a blueprint for how testing should be carried out to ensure that the software meets the specified requirements.

Example of Test cases for Login

Test Cases:

• Test Case 1: Enter valid username and password. Click “Login.” Verify successful login.
• Test Case 2: Enter invalid username and password. Verify error message.
• Test Case 3: Enter valid username and invalid password. Verify error message.
• Test Case 4: Enter invalid username and valid password. Verify error message.
• Test Case 5: Check “Remember me” option. Log in. Verify persistent login.

What is a Test Scenario?

Test scenarios are high-level descriptions of use cases for the software, or real-world situations. They describe—in general terms how the software will be used and help to identify the functions under test.

Example of a Test Scenario

Test Scenario 1: Successful Login

• Description: Verify that a user can successfully log in to the system using valid credentials.

Test Scenario 2: Invalid Login

• Description: Verify that the system handles invalid login attempts appropriately.

Test Scenario 3: Persistent Login

• Description: Verify that the “Keep me signed in” feature functions correctly.

Key Differences Between Test Case and Test Scenario

Here is a table that explains you simple:

Feature	Test Case	Test Scenario
Focus	Verifies specific features or functions	Defines the overall testing objectives
Needed for	detailed testing of individual functionalities.	Overall testing to ensure the main functions work as intended.
Reusability	Often reusable for different features or similar conditions	Generally not reusable due to its high-level nature
Relationship	Derived from test scenarios	Serves as a basis for creating test cases
Scope	Narrow scope, focusing on a single aspect of functionality	Broader scope, covering multiple aspects or a flow of events
Examples	Check if the login button is workingValidate the ‘Forgot Password’ link functionality	User login process with invalid credentialsUser login process with valid credentials and persistent login
Execution	Executed to validate a specific condition or feature	Provides context for multiple test cases and their execution
Documentation	Detailed documentation including preconditions, test steps, and expected results.	Describes the general testing scenario and its objectives.
When to Use	Automation, verifying specific behaviors.	Understanding the end-to-end functionality.
Level of Detail	Detailed steps and expected outcomes.	Written from a broader perspective of what a feature is supposed to do.

Test Case vs Test Scenario – Key Components

Key components of a test case

Test Case ID: A unique identifier of the test case.

Test Case Title: It should be small and give a good description of the test case.

Preconditions: The conditions due to which this very test case can be executed.

Test Steps: List of actions that will be done during the test, in a sequence.

Expected Results: What should happen after the test steps are implemented?

Actual Results: What really happened after implementing the test steps?

Pass/Fail: Tells if the test case has passed or failed.

Test Data: Any kind of input data for the test.

Key characteristics of a test scenario 

Scenario ID: A unique test scenario identifier.

Scenario Description: What this scenario does in a few words?

Goals: What this scenario is supposed to accomplish?

Actors: The roles (or users) associated with the scenario.

Preconditions: What has to be true before this scenario can be run?

Postconditions: What the state of the system is expected to be after the scenario is completed?

Test Scenario vs Test Case -Best Practises for Creating:

1. Test cases

• Define Clear Objectives: Specify the functionality to be tested.
• Use a Consistent Format: Maintain uniformity in format.
• Write Clear Steps: Steps should be easy to understand.
• Include Expected Results: Mention the expected outcome.
• Review and Update Regularly: Review test cases at regular intervals and update them as and when changes occur.

2. Test Scenarios

• Understand the Requirements: Ensure scenarios are based on the requirements.
• Define Scope Clearly: Define clearly what the specific workflow or functionality being tested is.
• Include Realistic User Journeys: Include only realistic user journeys.
• Document Preconditions: Document what setup or conditions are to be provided before execution.
• Review and Refine: Review and refine on a regular basis based on feedback or changes.

Test Case and Test Scenario – Role in Test Automation 

Though distinct, Test Case and Test Scenario are very closely interrelated in their role with test automation:

Test Scenario: In test automation, a test scenario is defined as a high-level testing goal or user flow. 

For example, “Verify that a user can complete the checkout process.” It outlines what needs to be tested. Scenarios help identify what high-level functionalities or business processes are in need of automation. They drive the overall strategy and planning of automated tests by focusing on end-to-end functionality. 

They guide the overall strategy and planning of automated tests by focusing on end-to-end functionality. Their main goal is to ensure that all the requirements for a specific real-time application have been fulfilled.

Test Case: A test case is a detailed, specific set of steps with their inputs and expected results when executing automated tests. 

For example, in the checkout process scenario, a test case could be “Add items to the cart,” “Proceed to checkout,” “Enter payment details,” and “Confirm purchase.” Test cases are what actual automation scripts are made of, executing these detailed steps. They validate (or ensure) that everything works within a feature.

Conclusion:

A comprehension of test cases and test scenarios, both as individual concepts and the differences between them, is necessary for QA teams to initiate and structure tests for maximum effectiveness. Consider this article the very first step in discovering all the many types and structures of test scenarios and test cases applicable to your test projects.

Frequently Asked Questions

What comes first: test case or scenario?

The test scenario comes first. It details what features and user conditions should be tested. Based on this, you can create test cases that describe the steps required to test each module, feature, sub-feature, and user action derived from the test scenario.