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Once the project’s requirements are defined, how does the project manager and the QC analyst ensure test cases are sufficiently identified? As discussed in previous articles, quality management needs to be managed throughout the systems lifecycle, not just during the testing cycles. Developing a requirements traceability matrix that aligns requirements with software deliverables and test cases enables the project team to ensure quality test cases are identified for each requirement. Generating an exhaustive list of test cases is the result of a brainstorming quality session. Much like risk management, quality management can benefit from a brainstorming session. Generating test cases is often the result of the business and a testing analyst developing test cases scenarios. End users also provide input into the test cases generation. However, the team can maximize their test generation by gathering business analysts, quality control analysts, technical architects, project managers and end users for a test case brainstorming session. A test case brainstorming session includes reviewing each business requirement and identifying different test case scenarios for each requirement. The test case scenarios can be grouped into different testing cycles including unit, system, integration, volume, stress and end user acceptance testing. For each test case, both positive (i.e. happy path) and alternative path testing scenarios can be identified for each requirement. A common brainstorming method is the Crawford blue slip technique. The technique is easily applied using sticky notes and large sheets of paper. The technique involves each team member writing down a test case scenario and mapping it to a specific requirement. User and volume test cases can be mapped to specific requirements and business transactions that impact user acceptance or system performance. The sticky notes make it easy to generate a number of test cases and map them to specific requirements. The goal is to generate an exhaustive list of test cases that map to specific requirements and incorporate different perspectives. Test case design typically focuses on the happy path test that follows the defined business requirements. The challenge is finding the negative or alternative path test cases that are often overlooked in test case design. Brainstorming test cases with a comprehensive team representing different quality expectations will help identify both positive and alternative test cases. One of the golden rules of brainstorming is to avoid critiquing a proposed idea. After the brainstorming session, ideas are grouped, filtered and prioritized based on the project’s scope, time and resources available. The brainstormed test cases may need to be refined and augmented before translating them into detailed test scripts. Brainstorming Tools Writing sticky notes and posting them to large sheets of paper is one approach to brainstorming quality test cases. Microsoft Word is an effective tool to document brainstorming sessions; however, there are several mind-mapping tools on the market that make documenting brainstorming sessions easier. Mind maps are a network diagram with nodes, branches, colors and icons to help convey ideas. A sample test case mind map is found in figure 1: Figure 1: Sample Test Case Mind Map A quick Google search for mind mapping tools will reveal multiple tools and resources for mind mapping. Two free mind mapping tools include Freemind and CMAP. Both have intuitive interfaces that will help document test case brainstorm sessions. CMAP is sponsored by the Institute for Human and Machine Cognition and was specifically built for collaboration using mind maps. Freemind is easier to learn, although CMAP has several useful team collaboration features. There are also multiple commercial software packages available including Visual Mind, Mindjet and Nova Mind. All of the sites offer free evaluation copies that can be used to test drive the software. More Brainstorming Resources Readers will quickly find brainstorming and mind mapping tools can be easily applied to other areas of project management including issue, risk and scope management in addition to test case management. Below are a few recommended articles on mind mapping and brainstorming:
This article was written by Andy Makar and originally published on Gantthead.com
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