A “Test Charter” typically refers to a document or artifact that outlines the scope, objectives, and approach for a session of exploratory testing. Exploratory testing is an informal testing technique where testers simultaneously design and execute tests, exploring the application to find defects without predefined test scripts. A test charter provides guidance and context for testers engaging in exploratory testing.
Key components of a test charter may include:
- Scope:
- The scope of the exploratory testing session defines the areas or functionalities of the application that testers should focus on. It helps testers understand the boundaries of their testing activities.
- Objectives:
- Clear objectives are stated to communicate the goals of the exploratory testing session. Objectives may include finding specific types of defects, evaluating the user experience, or assessing the application’s response to specific scenarios.
- Features to Explore:
- The test charter may specify particular features or functionalities that testers should explore during the session. This could include new features, recently modified features, or critical areas of the application.
- Testing Environment:
- Information about the testing environment, including the version of the application, supported browsers, and other relevant configurations, is often included in the test charter to provide context to testers.
- Test Data:
- If specific test data or scenarios are necessary for the exploratory testing session, the test charter may provide guidance on the data to be used during testing.
- Constraints and Limitations:
- Any constraints or limitations, such as time constraints, specific scenarios to avoid, or known issues, are communicated to testers in the test charter.
- Test Session Duration:
- The anticipated duration of the exploratory testing session is mentioned to provide testers with an understanding of the time available for testing activities.
- Roles and Responsibilities:
- Roles and responsibilities of the individuals involved in the exploratory testing session, including the tester and any other stakeholders, may be outlined in the test charter.
- Success Criteria:
- Criteria for success are established to help testers gauge when they have achieved the goals of the exploratory testing session. Success criteria may be related to defect discovery, coverage, or other testing objectives.
- Reporting Guidelines:
- Guidelines on how to report findings, issues, or defects identified during the exploratory testing session are often included in the test charter. This ensures consistency in reporting across different testing sessions.
The test charter serves as a valuable tool to guide testers during exploratory testing, providing them with a framework while allowing flexibility to adapt to the evolving testing context. It helps testers focus their efforts, communicate expectations, and achieve specific testing goals during the exploration of the application.