Test Scenarios

What are Test Scenarios?

According to the Cambridge dictionary , a scenario is a description of possible actions or events in the future. In software testing; A test scenario describes a specific interaction a user might have with a system, outlining the steps taken to achieve a goal and what the expected outcome should be. It's like a mini-story of how a user uses the software

Examples of test scenarios

1. To verify that users can log in with valid credentials, including username and password, and are redirected to the home page.

2. To validate the settings functionality

How to Write Effective Test Scenarios.

Effective test scenarios are very important for the quality assurance processes.

Here's how to write them:

Start with Requirements: You should base scenarios on user stories or requirements. Example: User story: "Customer can transfer money to another account." Scenario: "Verify that users can send a specific amount out of their account."

User Focus: You need to think like a user. Don't just think about how the system works internally; think about how a user would interact with it. Example: would a user want to transfer all the money out of his account?.

Be Specific: Avoid vagueness. Example: Instead of "Test login," write "Verify user can log in with a valid username and password". The aim is to make it understandable.

Positive & Negative: Test what should happen is know as positive test and what shouldn't happen is known as a negative test. Example: Positive: "User creates account." Negative: "User can't create account with existing email." Negative test help to ensure the system handles unexpected input gracefully.

One Goal per Scenario: Each scenario should have one clear purpose. Example: To verify that the transfer is successful.

Use a Template (Optional): This is optional but generally templates help ensure consistency.

Prioritize: Test critical functions first. Example: If you are testing a blog, The users need to access the blog first before accessing the the articles.

Keep Up-to-Date: Alot of time the system changes and these scenarios must reflect system changes. Example: A design could be changed due to users complains, this should be changed in the test scenarios too.

Key Components of a Test Scenario

We’ll be covering the key components of a test scenario.

The key components of a test scenario include:

1. Test Scenario ID

2. References

3. Test Scenario Description

4. Priority

5. Number of Test Cases

6. Test Scenario ID

7. Test Scenario ID

   This is a unique identifier for each test scenario. This makes it easy to identify specific scenarios. For example: TS_001, TS_002, etc.

2. References:

   References mostly link the test scenario to related documents like user stories or requirements specifications. It helps improve traceability and helps ensure that all requirements are covered by testing.

3. Test Scenario Description:

   This describes what functionality is being tested. Example, Verify user login with valid credentials.

4. Priority:

   This Indicates the importance of the test scenario. It helps prfioritize the testing process

   Some priority levels include

   • P0 - Critical: The critical functionalities that must be tested. Example Login failure, Payment processes in the application

   • P1 - High: Affects usability or secondary functionality without rendering the application unusable

   • P2 - Medium: These are important features, but their failure doesn't crash the application. The feature is less frequently used.

   • Low: Less critical functionality or edge cases.

5. Number of Test Cases

   Test scenarios can have multiple test cases associated with it. A test scenario is the "what" you are testing, and the test cases are the "how" you are testing that "what".

Did you find the explanation above a bit confusing? let me break it down

Test Scenarios vs. Test Cases: The What and the How

Imagine you want to go out to the gym on a Saturday morning. The test scenario is the overall goal: "Going to the gym to work out" Test cases are the detailed steps you have to take. The specific steps: Wake up early, Pack your gym wear, Get a ride, and start moving. The scenario is the what (the goal), test cases are the how (the steps).

In software testing:

• Test Scenario: "Verify user can log in." (The goal)

• Test Cases:

  • User enters valid username/password.

  • User enters invalid username.

  • User enters invalid password.

The scenario is what we're testing (login). Test cases are how we test it (different login attempts). We need both: the goal and the detailed steps to reach it. The scenario helps us plan, while the test cases tell us exactly what to do.

Common Mistakes to Avoid in test scenarios

Incomplete Scenarios: A scenario should be specific! Example of a vague scenario: "Test Login." Example of a specific scenario: "To verify that users can log in with valid credentials, including username and password"

Ignoring Negative Testing: Many new testers focus only the positive testing which is what the system should do and forget to test what it shouldn't do which is the negative test. Negative testing is very important for ensuring the system handles errors and unexpected input. Example of negative testing: "Verify that a user cannot create an account with an already existing email address."

Combining Multiple Actions: Each test scenario should have one clear objective. Don't combine multiple, unrelated actions into a single scenario. This makes it difficult to track results and pinpoint the source of any problems. Example of a bad combination: "Test login and transfer" This should be two separate scenarios.

Not Considering Edge Cases: Edge cases are unusual or boundary conditions that might cause problems. For example, what happens if a user enters a very long name, or tries to transfer a large amount of money? Make sure your scenarios cover these edge cases.

Not Prioritizing: Not all test scenarios are created equal. Some are more critical than others. Your scenarios should be prioritized based on risk, business impact, and frequency of use. Focus on the most important scenarios first.

Not Keeping Scenarios Up-to-Date: Software changes frequently. If your test scenarios aren't updated to reflect these changes, they become useless. Scenarios should be kept current.

Writing Test Cases Instead of Scenarios: Remember what we said in the beginning of the article? A test scenarios outlines what the expected outcome of a system should be It's not a detailed set of steps. I too had a hard time learning this, some new testers sometimes confuse scenarios with test cases. Remember, the scenario is the "what," and the test cases are the "how."

Not Focusing on the User Perspective: Test scenarios should be based on how a user would interact with the system, not on how the system works internally. Think like a user!

Duplicating Scenarios: Try to avoid creating redundant test scenarios. Make sure each scenario covers unique functionality.

Not Using a Template (Optional but Recommended): Using a template can help ensure consistency and completeness. A template can include fields for the scenario ID, description, preconditions, steps, expected results, etc.

Lack of Clear Expected Results: A test scenario should clearly define what the expected outcome should be. Without a clear expected result, it's impossible to determine if the test passed or failed. Bad Example: "Test login." Good Example: "Verify that a user can log in with valid credentials and is redirected to the home page.

In conclusion, test scenarios are essential for building quality software. They help us define how users interact with the system and what should happen. Good scenarios are specific, user-focused, and cover both positive and negative cases. They're the "what" we're testing; test cases are the "how." Avoiding common mistakes, like being too vague or ignoring negative testing, is key. Well-written test scenarios improve software quality and make development smoother. For a helpful template, see: QA Test Case Template