A Test Summary Report, often referred to as a Test Summary Document or Test Completion Report, is a comprehensive document that provides an overview of the testing activities and the results of a software testing project. It serves as a formal record of the testing process and is typically created at the end of the testing phase or at the completion of a testing project.
The Test Summary Report is an important communication and documentation tool that is shared with project stakeholders to provide insights into the quality of the software and the status of testing efforts.
Key elements typically included in a Test Summary Report are as follows:
- Introduction: This section provides an overview of the report, including the project’s background, objectives, and scope.
- Test Summary: Summarizes the testing activities, including the test phases, the duration of testing, and the testing environment used.
- Test Execution Overview: Describes the overall status of test execution, including the number of test cases executed, the number of defects found, and any issues that occurred during testing.
- Test Results: Presents the results of testing, including the number of test cases passed, failed, and deferred. Any defects or issues discovered during testing are also listed along with their status (open, closed, in progress).
- Test Coverage: Provides information on the test coverage achieved, including the percentage of requirements or functional areas tested.
- Defect Summary: Details the defects or issues found during testing, including their severity, status, and any actions taken to address them. It may also include trends or patterns in defect distribution.
- Test Environment: Describes the testing environment, including hardware, software, and configurations used for testing. This section is essential for replicating the testing environment in the future.
- Test Schedule: Compares the actual testing schedule with the planned schedule. Any deviations or delays are highlighted and explained.
- Test Deliverables: Lists the test deliverables, such as test plans, test cases, test data, and test scripts, indicating their completion status.
- Risks and Issues: Identifies and discusses any risks or issues that affected the testing process or could impact the software’s quality.
- Testing Team Performance: Provides an assessment of the testing team’s performance, including achievements, challenges, and recommendations for improvement.
- Conclusion: Summarizes the overall testing effort, highlighting the quality of the software, its readiness for release, and any recommendations or next steps.
- Recommendations: Offers suggestions or recommendations for actions to be taken, such as additional testing, defect resolutions, or further quality improvements.
- Sign-Off: Contains the signatures of key stakeholders, indicating their acceptance of the Test Summary Report.
The Test Summary Report is a valuable document for project managers, developers, quality assurance professionals, and other stakeholders as it provides a consolidated view of the testing process, its outcomes, and the software’s readiness for release. It helps in decision-making, communication, and accountability in the software development lifecycle.