What is Test Planning? – a Detailed Guide

Behind every successful release is a solid test plan. Discover how to build one that streamlines testing, aligns teams, and ensures bug-free delivery.

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What is Test Planning?

Test planning involves creating a Test Plan, a document outlining the complete testing software strategy. This plan details the goals, necessary resources, and a schedule for the testing process. It specifies the types and quantities of tests to be performed, the reason for each test, the tools needed, and how test results will be analyzed and reported. The Test Plan is a living document, meaning it’s updated regularly to incorporate new findings or changes in the testing approach as they occur.

Why is Test Planning Important?

Test planning is a crucial part of the software testing process for several key reasons. For starters, it acts as a communication tool, ensuring everyone involved, from stakeholders to the testing team, is on the same page about what, why, and how the testing will be done. 

It also clearly defines how test results will be reported, what constitutes a pass or fail, and any other critical criteria. Beyond that, a test plan sets clear expectations for what the testing should achieve and helps ensure the process stays on track. That’s why taking the time to create a solid test plan is so essential.

How to Create a Test Plan?

To create a thorough and effective test plan, you must first outline the type of software you intend to test. This includes information such as the purpose of the software and user requirements. Once you have this information, you can outline the testing strategy and objectives, followed by the test criteria, resources, test environment, and schedule.

• Analyze the Product – You must analyze the product before writing an effective test plan. This analysis will help you identify the areas that need to be tested and the types of tests that will be most effective. Once you understand the product well, you can start to uncover areas where problems may occur. By identifying potential problem areas, you can develop a plan for testing the product.
• Develop a Test Strategy – The next step in creating a test plan is to develop a test strategy. Many different factors need to be considered when developing a test strategy, including the type of testing, resources required, and schedule for testing. This strategy should be tailored to the project and consider the overall objectives, scope, and risks.
• Identify Testing Type – There are various types of testing that can be performed on software, and each has its own benefits and drawbacks. When writing a test plan, it is important to identify the type of testing most appropriate for AUT. 

One common type of testing is functional testing, which tests the software for compliance with its specified requirements. This type of testing is performed manually or using automation tools. Another type of testing is performance testing, which assesses the speed and stability of the software. Other types include security testing, compatibility testing, and usability testing.

• Document Risk & Issues – A test plan is a document that outlines the risks and issues associated with a software project. The plan communicates the risks and issues to the project team and management. 

These could be technical risks, such as problems with the code or architecture, or non-technical risks, such as changes in the business environment.

• Create Test Logistics – Creating test logistics is integral to writing a test plan. This includes deciding where and when testing will occur and what resources will be needed. Test logistics should be created to ensure that all aspects of the testing process are considered. This includes the timeline for the testing process, the resources needed for the testing, and any other relevant information.
• Define Test Objective – The next step is to define the test objective. The test objective will depend on the software’s purpose, such as verifying whether the software meets user requirements, identifying software defects, or assessing the software’s completeness. The test objective will determine the test type that needs to be conducted and how the test results will be analyzed and reported. 
• Define Test Criteria – The next step in creating a test plan is defining the test criteria. Test criteria assess whether a test has passed or failed and are closely linked to test objectives. The test criteria will depend on the type of test, and they should be clearly defined to avoid confusion. 

For example, a test for checking data accuracy may use a certain percentage of accuracy as the test criterion. However, it is important to consider any variations due to environmental changes. For example, one may not achieve the same accuracy level during testing if the data source differs from development.

• Suspension Criteria – Suspension criteria are a set of conditions that, if met, will suspend the testing process. This could be due to a critical bug being found, a change in scope, or anything else that could significantly impact the testing process. Suspension criteria should be agreed upon by all parties involved in the testing process and clearly defined from the start. This will ensure everyone is on the same page and knows when testing should be suspended. Without clear suspension criteria, deciding when to continue testing and when to stop can be challenging.
• Exit Criteria – The exit criteria for a test plan are the conditions that must be met before the testing can be considered complete. This includes both functional and non-functional criteria. Functional criteria are those that relate to the functionality of the system under test, while non-functional criteria are those that relate to aspects such as performance, scalability, security, etc. 

The exit criteria should be clearly defined at the outset of the testing process so that everyone involved knows what needs to be achieved. They should be achievable, measurable, and relevant to the system under test.

• Resource Planning – The next step when creating a test plan is to outline the resources required for testing. This includes determining whether internal or external resources will be required and what their skill sets and qualifications are. 
• Human Resource – Human resource planning is a key component of the test plan. The human resources required for testing include testers, developers, and other staff involved in the testing process. The number of resources required and the skills they need will vary depending on the size and complexity of the project. 

The team members’ skills and experience should be considered when making assignments. Implementing an HRMS tool can help efficiently manage resource allocation, track team availability, and streamline workforce planning. The plan should also include tracking the testing progress and identifying areas requiring additional resources.

• System Resource – When creating a test plan for a system, it is vital to consider the system resources required for testing, such as hardware, software, and so on. It should also identify the risks associated with the testing process and outline the steps that will help mitigate those risks.
• Plan Test Environment – The next step when creating a test plan is to outline the test environment requirements. This will depend on the type of testing, such as functional, usability, or load testing. Besides, it is essential to consider any variations due to environmental changes. 

For example, if you are conducting a functional test, you will need a testing environment that resembles the live environment as closely as possible. This may include real data, network connections, and so on.

• Schedule & Estimation – Next, when creating a test plan, you must outline the schedule and estimate for the testing process. This includes determining whether the testing phase is the same length as the development phase, or if you need to extend the testing phase. It is essential to consider factors such as the complexity of the software, the testing environment, and other applicable factors. You can use the software project management techniques to create a testing schedule. You also need to outline how testing costs will be estimated and determined.
• Test Deliverables – Lastly, you must outline the test deliverables when creating a test plan. Test deliverables are the final outputs of the testing process, such as test reports, defects, and enhancements. They may also include a list of unsupported features, an explanation of what is missing, and why they were not tested. It is important to note that test deliverables are not the same as software deliverables, and they should only contain information related to testing.

What is a Test Plan Template?

A test plan template is a pre-defined framework that serves as a guide for creating comprehensive test plans. Think of it as a blueprint or wireframe for your testing efforts. It outlines the essential sections and details that should be included in any test plan, ensuring consistency, thoroughness, and clarity across different testing projects. Essentially, it streamlines the process of documenting your testing strategy, scope, resources, schedule, and more.

Example of a Test Plan

[Project Name] – Test Plan

Document Version: 1.0

Date: June 23, 2025

Prepared By: [Your Name/QA Team Lead Name]

1. Introduction

• 1.1 Purpose: This document outlines the testing strategy, scope, objectives, resources, schedule, and deliverables for the [Project Name] application/system. Its primary goal is to ensure the quality, functionality, performance, and security of [briefly describe the main purpose of the application/system].
• 1.2 Document Scope: This test plan applies to all testing activities for the [Project Name] from [start date of testing phase] to [end date of testing phase]. It covers [mention specific modules, features, or areas] of the application.
• 1.3 Audience: This document is intended for the QA team, development team, project managers, business analysts, and other relevant stakeholders involved in the [Project Name] project.

2. Scope of Testing

• 2.1 In-Scope Items: This section details what will be tested.
  • Features/Modules:
    • User Authentication (Login, Logout, Password Reset)
    • User Profile Management (Create, Update, View)
    • [Specific Module 1] functionalities (e.g., creating orders, managing inventory)
    • [Specific Module 2] functionalities (e.g., generating reports, data analysis)
    • Integration with [External System A]
    • Error handling for [specific scenarios]
  • Types of Testing:
    • Functional Testing
    • Regression Testing
    • System Testing
    • User Interface (UI) Testing
    • Performance Testing (basic load and stress)
    • Security Testing (basic vulnerability scan)
• 2.2 Out-of-Scope Items: This section clarifies what will not be tested, along with the reasons.
  • [Feature/Module 1] (e.g., “Legacy reporting module, not part of this release”)
  • [Specific Third-Party Integration] (e.g., “To be tested by the vendor directly”)
  • Detailed Usability Testing (e.g., “Will be addressed in a separate UAT phase”)
  • Internationalization/Localization Testing (e.g., “Not a requirement for this release”)

3. Test Objectives

• To verify that all specified functional requirements are met as per the Functional Specification Document (FSD).
• To ensure the application is stable and performs within acceptable limits under expected load.
• To identify and report defects, prioritizing them based on severity and impact.
• To confirm that critical business workflows are functioning correctly end-to-end.
• To ensure the application is compatible with the specified browsers and operating systems.

4. Test Strategy and Approach

• 4.1 Test Levels:
  • Unit Testing: (Briefly mention if the development team is responsible.) Performed by developers to test individual code components.
  • Integration Testing: To verify the interactions between different modules and components.
  • System Testing: To test the complete integrated system against the specified requirements.
  • Regression Testing: To ensure that new changes or bug fixes do not negatively impact existing functionalities.
  • User Acceptance Testing (UAT): (Briefly mention if external stakeholders are responsible.) This should be conducted by end-users or business representatives to validate that the system meets business needs.
• 4.2 Test Types and Methodologies:
  • Manual Testing: For complex scenarios, ad-hoc testing, and areas where automation is not feasible/cost-effective.
  • Automated Testing: For repetitive functional tests, regression suites, and API testing. [Mention specific tools if known, e.g., Selenium, Playwright, Postman].
  • Exploratory Testing: To discover new bugs and gain a deeper understanding of the application’s behavior.
  • Performance Testing: Using [tool name, e.g., JMeter] to simulate user load and analyze response times.
• 4.3 Test Data Management:
  • Strategy for creating, managing, and maintaining test data (e.g., using masked production data, synthetic data generation).
  • Specific data requirements for different test scenarios.
• 4.4 Test Environment Requirements:
  • Hardware: [e.g., Server specifications, client machines]
  • Software: [e.g., Operating System (Windows Server 2019, Ubuntu), Database (SQL Server 2017, MySQL 8), Web Server (IIS, Apache), Browsers (Chrome latest, Firefox latest, Edge, Safari on iOS), Mobile Devices (Specific Android/iOS versions and devices)]
  • Network: [e.g., Internet connectivity, specific firewall rules]
  • Access: Permissions and credentials required for testers.

5. Test Deliverables

• Before Testing:
  • Test Plan Document (this document)
  • Test Cases/Scenarios
  • Test Data
  • Test Environment Setup Document
• During Testing:
  • Test Execution Reports (Daily/Weekly Status Reports)
  • Defect Reports/Logs
  • Traceability Matrix (linking requirements to test cases)
• After Testing:
  • Test Summary Report
  • User Acceptance Test (UAT) Report (if applicable)
  • Lessons Learned Document

6. Roles and Responsibilities

• Test Manager/Lead: [Name] – Overall test planning, strategy, resource allocation, reporting to stakeholders, risk management.
• QA Engineers/Testers: [Names/Team] – Test case design, execution, defect reporting, regression testing.
• Development Team: [Names/Team] – Bug fixing, environment support, unit testing.
• Business Analysts: [Names/Team] – Requirement clarification, UAT support.
• Project Manager: [Name] – Overall project oversight, resource approval, stakeholder communication.

7. Test Schedule and Milestones

• Phase 1: Test Planning & Design
  • Test Plan Approval: [Date]
  • Test Case Development & Review Completion: [Date]
  • Test Data Preparation Completion: [Date]
  • Test Environment Readiness: [Date]
• Phase 2: Test Execution
  • Functional Testing Completion: [Date]
  • Integration Testing Completion: [Date]
  • Performance Testing Completion: [Date]
  • Security Testing Completion: [Date]
  • Regression Cycle 1 Completion: [Date]
• Phase 3: Test Closure
  • Test Summary Report Submission: [Date]
  • Go/No-Go Decision Meeting: [Date]

8. Entry Criteria

• All functional and design specifications are finalized and approved.
• Development build is deployed to the test environment and is stable.
• Test environment is set up and accessible.
• Test cases and test data are ready and reviewed.
• Required resources (testers, tools) are available.

9. Exit Criteria

• All critical and high-severity defects are resolved and retested.
• [e.g., 95%] of planned test cases executed with a pass rate of [e.g., 90%] or higher.
• Remaining open defects are categorized as low or cosmetic and accepted by stakeholders.
• All required test deliverables are completed and reviewed.
• Test Summary Report is signed off.

10. Risks and Mitigation

• Risk: Unstable test environment.
  • Mitigation: Early environment setup and validation, dedicated environment support, clear escalation path.

11. Assumptions

• The functional requirements will remain stable during the testing phase.
• Necessary test environment components and tools will be available as planned.
• Required test data will be provided or can be generated.
• The development team will provide timely bug fixes.

12. Approvals

This Test Plan has been reviewed and approved by the following stakeholders:

• Project Manager 
• QA Lead/Manager
• Development Lead
• Business Analyst

Test Planning with Test Management by Testsigma

You can efficiently manage your test plans using Test Management by Testsigma, an agentic test management software especially for manual testers. It enables testers to define clear objectives, organize test efforts, and align testing with business goals. With Test Management by Testsigma, you can easily create and maintain test plans, group related test cases into suites, assign ownership, and track progress across releases, all with AI agents. 

The Sprint Planner Agent will help plan your test as soon as JIRA sprint starts. 

Beyond test planning, Testsigma offers advanced AI capabilities like autonomous test case generation using its AI agent, Atto. It also features Bug Reporter Agent for faster issue logging and a Generator Agent to assist with dynamic content creation, and a Runner Agent to run tests inside the browser. 

Conclusion

Creating a test plan is a vital part of the software testing lifecycle. It defines the testing scope, objectives, required resources, timeline, and evaluation criteria. A well-structured test plan helps ensure that the testing process is organized, efficient, and aligned with project goals.

There are plenty of online resources, such as templates and step-by-step tutorials that can assist in building an effective test plan. It’s also essential to keep the test plan up to date by documenting and incorporating any changes made during the testing process.