Test cases in software testing play a crucial role in ensuring the performance and reliability of software applications. In this guide, we’ll walk you through designing test cases that effectively cover critical scenarios. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to improve your testing process, you’ll learn how to create well-structured test cases to ensure comprehensive validation, reduce errors, and enhance product quality. Let’s get started!
What Is a Test Case?
A test case is a defined set of conditions or variables that QA teams use to compare the expected and actual results, determining whether a feature functions as intended. It outlines the steps, data, prerequisites, and postconditions required for execution
The Role of Test Cases in Software Testing
When executed effectively, test cases enable testing teams to:
- Validate specific software functionalities
- Provide testers with clear, actionable guidance for their daily tasks
- Maintain a detailed record of testing steps, useful for revisiting in case bugs emerge
- Serve as a blueprint for future projects, allowing new teams to build on existing work instead of starting from scratch
- Identify usability issues and design gaps early in the development process
- Help new testers and developers quickly get up to speed, even if they join mid-project
Test Case vs. Test Scenario vs Test Script
| Test case | Test scenario | Test script | |
| Definition | A detailed document specifying the inputs, actions, and expected outcomes for a particular test | A high-level description of a functionality to be tested | A set of written instructions or code that automates a test |
| Purpose | Focuses on how to test, providing detailed guidance for execution | Focuses on what needs to be tested without going into specific details | Focuses on how to automate a test |
| Format | Structured format (e.g., ID, steps, input data, expected results). | Narrative or checklist format. | Code, scripts, or automation frameworks (e.g., Selenium, Appium). |
How To Write Test Cases
The structure of a test case includes the following components:
- Test Case ID: A unique identifier assigned to the test case
- Description: A concise summary outlining the purpose of the test cas
- Preconditions: The conditions that must be satisfied before executing the test
- Test Steps: A step-by-step guide detailing the procedure for executing the test
- Test Data: The specific data required for performing the test
- Expected Result: The anticipated outcome if the system functions as intended
- Actual Result: The observed outcome after executing the test (to be filled in post-execution)
- Pass/Fail Criteria: The standards used to determine whether the test case has passed or failed by comparing the actual result to the expected result
Here is a sample test case for creating a transaction in a bank account
| Component | Details |
| Test Case ID | TC002 |
| Description | Verify a user can successfully create a transaction in their bank account |
| Preconditions | 1. User is successfully logged in to their bank account.
2. User has sufficient funds in the chosen account to cover the transaction amount. |
| Test Steps | 1. Navigate to the “Transfer” section
2. Select the desired account to transfer funds from (source account). 3. Enter a valid recipient account number or payee information (depending on transfer type). 4. Enter a valid transaction amount (within account limits). 5. (Optional) Enter a description for the transaction (memo). 6. Review the transaction details on a confirmation screen. 7. Click “Submit” or “Confirm” to initiate the transaction. |
| Test Data | Source Account: 8429273102
Recipient Account: John Nguyen Transaction Amount: $50.00 Description: Money Transfer |
| Expected Result |
|
| Actual Result | (To be filled in after execution) |
| Pass/Fail criteria | Pass: Test passes if the transaction is created successfully, the account balance is updated correctly, and the transaction history reflects the new transaction.
Fail: Test fails if any of the following occur:
|
Having worked on multiple software testing projects, we’ve developed a software test case template to help you create and document test cases efficiently. This standardized approach saves time and effort, allowing you to focus on more high-value tasks.
AI Prompts for Generating Test Cases in Software Testing
Instead of spending hours generating test cases, you can now leverage AI in software testing to speed up the process. With carefully crafted AI prompts, you can efficiently create diverse, high-quality test cases tailored to your needs. Here are some AI prompt ideas to get you started:
Regression Test Case
Design a regression test case to protect existing functionality following recent code changes. Select a specific feature or area to focus on, outline the necessary preconditions for executing the test, provide step-by-step instructions to replicate the scenario, and clearly define the expected results to verify that the changes have not introduced any unintended side effects
Data Validation Test Case
Your task is to create a data validation test case for an input form. Define a set of valid and invalid input values for a specific field (e.g., email address, phone number). Describe how the system should validate or reject each type of input, and specify the appropriate error messages or system responses for invalid data entries
Security Test Case
Create a security test case to identify potential vulnerabilities or security risks. Outline a scenario in which unauthorized access or a data breach could occur, specify the steps to simulate the breach attempt, and describe the expected system response or security measures designed to prevent or mitigate the breach
Best Practices for Writing Test Cases in Software Testing
Ensure you follow these practices for each test case component when writing test cases
Test case ID
- Apply a consistent naming convention
- Ensure each ID is unique
- Include a prefix that reflects the module or feature
- Keep the names concise yet descriptive
- Store all test case IDs in a centralized repository
Description
- Concise and straightforward
- Clearly define the test’s purpose
- Easy to understand for any reader
- State the expected behavior or result
- Circumvent technical jargon or ambiguous language
Preconditions
- Clearly outline the setup requirements
- Confirm that all necessary conditions are fulfilled
- Specify relevant system or environment states
- Include any required user roles or configurations
- Validate preconditions before executing the test
Test steps
- Number the steps in sequence
- Write each step clearly and simply
- Use consistent terminology and actions throughout
- Ensure the steps can be easily reproduced
- Avoid combining multiple actions into a single step
Test data
- Use realistic and valid data
- Clearly define each piece of test data
- Avoid embedding sensitive information directly
- Leverage data-driven testing for scalability
- Keep test data separate from test scripts
Expected result
- Be precise and clear about the expected outcome
- Include details on UI changes, redirects, and messages
- Ensure alignment with the acceptance criteria
- Address all aspects of the functionality being tested
- Make the results measurable and observable
Actual result
- Record the actual outcome during test execution
- Provide detailed information on any discrepancies
- Include screenshots or logs when relevant
- Maintain a consistent format for documenting results
- Compare results against the expected outcomes for verification
Postconditions
- Define the expected system state after the test
- Include any required cleanup procedures
- Ensure the system is stable for future tests
- Verify that any changes made during the test are undone if necessary
- Document any lasting effects on the environment
Pass/Fail criteria
- Define pass/fail conditions clearly
- Use measurable and observable outcomes for evaluation
- Ensure the criteria are objective and unbiased
- Specify error messages or behaviors for failed tests
- Align the criteria with the expected results and requirements
Do You Need Test Case Management?
Besides writing test cases, effectively managing them is also essential for a successful testing project. This involves systematically creating, organizing, executing, documenting, and monitoring test cases to ensure thorough and efficient testing
Test case management is vital for QA teams of all sizes, even individual developers working on hobby projects, to ensure thorough quality checks
While smaller projects can manage with a simple spreadsheet to list test cases, steps, and results, larger teams with complex projects often find manually updating spreadsheets inefficient and time-consuming. In such cases, teams typically adopt dedicated test case management systems to streamline tasks
Test Case Management Process
The test case management process comprises 4 stages
1. Test case design
Key activities in this stage involve ensuring all test cases cover adequate scenarios, involving positive/negative cases, edge cases and boundary conditions. Each test case should include all components such as steps, inputs, expected outcomes and prerequisites.
2. Test case organization
When it comes to test case organization, we are talking about categorize and organize test cases with tags, which can be roughly classified into 7 major types:
- Severity (High – Medium – Low impact to system performance/security)
- Priority (High – Medium – Low urgency)
- Reproducibility (Reproducible, Intermittent, Non-Reproducible, or Cannot Reproduce)
- Root Cause (Coding Error, Design Flaw, Configuration Issue, or User Error, etc.)
- Test Type (Functional Bugs, Performance Issues, Usability Problems, Security Vulnerabilities, Compatibility Errors, etc.)
- Areas of Impact
- Frequency of Occurrence
3. Test case execution
During and after test execution, test case management plays a crucial role in tracking the test status, as frequent updates are required. Using a test case management tool, test results are automatically updated upon successful execution, and detailed reports with in-depth analytics are generated, incorporating historical data from your test runs
4. Test case maintenance
As code changes, test cases need to be constantly updated to stay in sync with modifications in requirements, functionalities, or fixes. With projects having hundreds of test cases for a new feature, maintenance is difficult. The more test cases you have, the greater the effort required for maintenance. To ease this burden, many tools incorporate a self-healing mechanism for automatic test changes to detect and fix.
Top 3 Test Case Management Tools
As your testing projects grow in complexity with sheer number of test cases, the right test case management software can be a game-changer. Here is our curated list of top 3 best test case management tools, providing insights into their features, pricing options and user feedback
TestRail
A centralized test management platform for QA teams to plan, organize, and track their testing efforts efficiently
Key features
- Comprehensive test management: Centralizes your testing activities, enabling your team to easily access and manage test assets, minimize duplication, and maintain consistency throughout the testing process
- End-to-end traceability: Enables users to link test cases to requirements, user stories, defects, or other related items in their preferred requirements tracker, such as Jira.
- Manual and automated test execution: TestRail allows teams to manage both manual testing and automated test execution in one platform, providing full visibility into testing activities.
- Customization options: Customize many behaviors and testing entities within the platform–from test case and results fields to test case templates and test automation triggers.
Pricing
- Free trial: Available
- Advanced plan: Contact sales
Customer Reviews
G2: 4.4 stars (580+ reviews)
Capterra: 4.4 stars (169+ reviews)
Xray Test Management
A powerful Jira-native test management solution that integrates development and testing, fostering seamless collaboration, enhanced speed, and superior quality.
Key features:
- Agile testing: Xray’s robust REST API, seamless integrations, and detailed reporting integrate effortlessly into your CI/CD pipeline, providing complete visibility into your coverage and deployment readiness.
- Support for automation: Seamlessly integrates with popular test automation frameworks such as Cucumber, Selenium, and JUnit
- Reports and requirement coverage: Offers development and QA teams valuable insights into how well requirements are covered by tests through interactive charts. It also enables teams to assess the status of test entities across versions, test plans, and execution environments.
Pricing:
Free trial: Available
Advanced plan: Contact sales
Customer reviews:
Atlassian marketplace: 3.5 stars (406 reviews)
G2: 4.3 stars (11 reviews)
Capterra: 4 stars (2 reviews)
TestLink
A free and open source test case management tool that provides essential features such as test case management, test plan creation, and defect tracking.
Key features:
- Community-driven development: Active community support and frequent updates
- Flexible integration: TestLink integrates with other tools like Jira, Bugzilla, Jenkins, and various CI/CD tools, allowing for seamless communication between different systems and improving the overall workflow.
- Customization and extensions: Being open-source, TestLink allows for customization through plugins, offering flexibility to tailor the tool to your organization’s needs.
- User-friendly Interface: TestLink provides an intuitive, web-based interface that makes it easy for both technical and non-technical users to navigate and manage test activities.
Pricing:
Free
Customer reviews:
G2: 4.4 stars (62 reviews)
SourceForge: 4.6 stars (45 reviews)
Summary
Effectively writing and managing test cases in software testing is crucial for delivering high-quality software. By following best practices, such as writing clear, detailed test cases and using management tools to organize and track them, teams can ensure comprehensive test coverage and streamline the testing process.
Looking for an experienced testing team to handle your test case writing and management? Reach out to us today and ensure your software is thoroughly tested for optimal performance quality.
