A “test progress report” is a document or communication that provides an overview of the status and progress of a software testing effort. It is typically created and distributed by the test manager or testing team to stakeholders, such as project managers, developers, and other relevant parties. The primary purpose of a test progress report is to keep stakeholders informed about the testing process, including its achievements, challenges, and any potential issues. Here are key components typically found in a test progress report:
- Introduction: A brief overview of the report, including the testing phase or cycle it covers and the purpose of the report.
- Project Information: Information about the software project being tested, including its name, version, and key milestones or deadlines.
- Test Objectives: Clear statements of the testing objectives, including what is being tested, what needs to be achieved, and the specific goals of the testing phase.
- Test Scope: An outline of the scope of testing, indicating the features, modules, or components that are included in the testing effort.
- Test Schedule: A timeline or schedule showing the planned testing activities, milestones, and deadlines. This may include the start and end dates of the testing phase.
- Test Progress Summary: An overview of the progress made in the testing phase, including the number of test cases executed, the percentage of completion, and any significant achievements.
- Test Execution Status: Details on the status of test case execution, including the number of test cases passed, failed, and pending. This section may also include information about test case coverage.
- Defect Status: Information about defects or issues discovered during testing, including the total number of defects, their severity, and their current status (open, resolved, closed, etc.).
- Risks and Issues: Identification and description of any risks or issues that have been encountered during testing, along with proposed or implemented mitigation strategies.
- Testing Effort vs. Plan: A comparison between the actual progress and the planned progress, highlighting any deviations and explaining the reasons for them.
- Remaining Work: An estimate of the remaining work and testing activities that need to be completed to achieve the testing objectives.
- Recommendations: Suggestions or recommendations for actions to address challenges, resolve issues, and improve the testing process.
- Conclusion: A summary of the current state of the testing phase and an overall assessment of the quality of the software as determined by testing.
- Appendices: Additional details, charts, graphs, or specific test case status reports that provide further context and information.
Test progress reports are crucial for project management, as they help stakeholders make informed decisions about the software development project and ensure that the testing process aligns with project goals and timelines. These reports also promote transparency and collaboration among project team members.