There’s no end to testing, but you have to draw the line somewhere. You do that with a software testing strategy outlining your team’s approach to quality assurance. Read on to find out about types of testing strategies and learn what makes a good one.
A strategy for testing is a single document that ties business objectives to QA practice: scope, testing levels, environments, entry and exit criteria, deliverables, and risk handling all in one place.
A test strategy and a test plan are not interchangeable. The strategy is the broad, long-term outline. The plan is the detailed, per-project execution document built from it.
Six recognized strategy types exist: methodical, consultative, analytical, reactive, regression-averse, and model-based. Most real projects blend more than one.
A test strategy example does not need every possible component. What it needs depends on your QA maturity and how much your test policy and test plan already cover.
A strategy that nobody revisits after the kickoff meeting stops reflecting reality within a few sprints. Reviewing and measuring it is not optional maintenance, it is part of the strategy itself.
What is a testing strategy?
Testing strategy in software engineering is a comprehensive plan or approach that outlines how testing activities will be conducted to ensure the software product’s quality and reliability. The testing strategy defines the testing scope, objectives, and methodologies you will follow to achieve the desired quality. The critical components of a testing strategy typically include the following:
Scope and objectives: The testing strategy defines the scope, specifying the software areas and functionalities you will test. It also outlines testing objectives, such as identifying defects, validating requirements, ensuring compliance, and measuring the product’s quality.
Testing levels and types: The strategy outlines various testing levels, including unit testing, integration testing, system testing, and acceptance testing. It also defines the testing types, such as functional, performance, security, and usability.
Test environments: The testing strategy describes the required test environments for each testing level, including hardware, software, network configurations, and data setups to simulate real-world scenarios.
Entry and exit criteria: Entry criteria define the conditions your software should meet before testing can commence at a particular level. In contrast, exit criteria define the conditions under which testing is complete for that level.
Test deliverables: The testing strategy outlines the test deliverables for testing, such as test plans, cases, scripts, data, and reports.
Defect management: The testing strategy includes defect reporting, tracking, and resolution guidelines, defining the severity and priority of defects, and how you will communicate them to stakeholders.
Resource allocation: The strategy addresses allocating resources, including people, testing tools, and infrastructure, to conduct the testing activities effectively.
Risks and contingencies: The strategy identifies potential testing risks and outlines contingency plans to address them. It ensures that risk management is an integral part of the testing process.
Testing process improvement: Software product testing strategy also includes provisions for continuous improvement of testing based on the learnings from previous projects or feedback received during testing.
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A strategy for testing and a test plan differ in scope and timing: the strategy is the broad, long-term outline created before testing begins, covering deadlines, resources, and testing types at a high level, while the plan is the detailed, project-specific document created afterward, with exact steps, schedules, and data requirements for each test.
Test strategy and test plan are two important things you need to create when starting a software testing project. They both have different roles, but they can be used together to achieve a common goal.
The difference between them is that a test strategy is more of an overall outline of the entire testing process — from beginning to end — including deadlines, resources, and other details. It also includes information about what types of tests will be performed and who will perform them. The test strategy is created before any actual testing begins.
On the other hand, test plans are documents that include all of this information and specifics about individual tests, like what kind of data is required for each one or what specific steps need to be followed for them to work correctly (or not).
A test plan is more specific than a test strategy because it contains detailed instructions for carrying out tests on an application or website — tools like scripts or checklists that allow testers to record their findings during each round of testing. So they can compare them later on against previous versions of the same app or site.
Additionally, a test plan tells you exactly how much time each task will take and which tasks need to be done first. For example, if we wanted to create a test plan for software testing, you might write down what you need to do:
Plan out tests based on what needs to be tested and how many times each feature should be tested before moving on;
Write up a schedule for when each test should occur, when it should be completed by, where we’ll do it (in-house or at a third-party location), and who’s responsible for completing each task;
Create documentation explaining how all of these things are going to happen.
So if you’re just trying to figure out what kinds of tests should be performed or how they should be conducted, consider using a test strategy; if you’re planning on creating an actual document with all this information, use a software test plan instead.
But remember, test plans are created after the test strategy has been finalised so that testers know exactly what needs to happen next!
I'd start with working with the dev team and documenting current processes- what level of testing is currently being done? how are bugs currently handled? who determines that feature work is done/ready for release? are tests executed as part of the ci/cd process and does a failing test stop a build from going out? the testing strategy should encompass the entire dev team and sdlc; you can have all of the qa processes in the world laid out but it won't have an affect on the final product if qa is silo'd
needmoresynths
Posted in Software Testing Reddit thread, 2 years ago
Hierarchy of test documentation
Test documentation has three layers, in order from highest to lowest: test policy, which sets company-wide QA principles; test strategy, which covers scope and methodology across several projects; and test plan, which gets specific to a single project or sprint.
It is no wonder that there are different layers to test documentation. QA testing strategy is not at the top of the pyramid, and it’s not something that testers directly interface with either.
The test documentation hierarchy is the following:
Test policy is the high-level overview that covers the company’s primary goals and principles of testing. It focuses on the business value of QA without diving into any details. Test policy doesn’t undergo changes often, but that is not a problem as it is other levels of test documentation that deal with practical matters
Test strategy by definition covers at least several projects. It covers enough ground to be a practical guide, e.g. scope of testing, test levels and test types, addressed risks and even methodology for actual tests. Preparing a test strategy is also a great insurance for your new projects, as your staff will have something to work off before going low-level. Test strategy may also have some distilled testing objectives, even more so if there is no test policy in place
Test plan describes how you as a company can achieve the goals outlined in your test policy and test strategy. This is a per project or even per sprint low-level overview that includes test schedule, the tech stack used for QA (including an on-premise or web-based test case management tool), and project/sprint-specific risks. You can learn more about the overlap between test plan and test strategies in our earlier article.
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How to write test strategy document
Writing a strategy for testing follows six steps in order: consult the existing test policy, meet stakeholders to understand workflows and risk, draft the strategy, invite review and amendments, share it with the QA team for feedback, then adopt it formally. This is why the QA lead is usually the right person for the job. Here is how it would go:
1
Consult test policy to see company-wide QA and business principles
2
Meet project stakeholders to discuss project’s workflows, potential risks, and developer expertise in early testing
3
Create a test strategy draft (more on that in a test strategy sample below)
4
Invite stakeholders for a review and amendments
5
Share the strategy with the QA team to discuss concerns and potential changes
6
Adopt the strategy and use it
Types of testing strategy
There is a variety of testing strategies, and the choice is not as binary as picking a manual vs automation testing strategy. Here are some examples:
Methodical strategy deals with pre-requisites like ISO standards
Consultative strategy involves key stakeholders to help you identify potential risks
Analytical strategy implies creating tests based on requirements before features were implemented
Reactive strategy concerns testing after the product was already launched in production
Regression-averse strategy covers regression risks for updates to both newly developed and in-production software
Model-based strategy uses a model that simplifies real-life performance of entire software or a system to speed up test execution
Key components of test strategy
A complete test strategy document typically includes ten components, from purpose and scope through to communication protocols, though not every project needs all ten in full detail. Here is the full list:
Purpose and Objectives: Clearly defines why the test strategy document is being created and outlines the primary goals and objectives of the testing effort.
Scope: Specifies what will be tested (e.g., features, modules, integrations) and what will not be tested to set clear boundaries for testing activities.
Testing Approach: Describes the overall approach to testing, including testing levels (unit, integration, system), testing types (functional, non-functional), and whether testing will be manual, automated, or a combination.
Test Environment: Details the hardware, software, and network configurations required for testing, including setup, maintenance, and management of the test environment.
Test Deliverables: Lists the specific documents and artefacts that will be produced during testing, such as test plans, test cases, test scripts, and various test reports.
Resource Planning: Defines roles and responsibilities within the testing team, identifies necessary skills and training, and outlines the allocation of resources (human and technical) for testing activities.
Schedule and Milestones: Provides a timeline and schedule for executing testing activities, including key milestones and checkpoints for test planning, execution, and reporting.
Risk Management: Identifies potential risks that could impact testing activities, outlines mitigation strategies to address these risks, and includes contingency plans for handling unforeseen issues.
Test Metrics and Reporting: Specifies the metrics that will be used to measure testing progress and effectiveness (e.g., test coverage, defect density) and describes how these metrics will be reported to stakeholders.
Communication and Collaboration: Defines communication channels and protocols for sharing testing-related information among team members and stakeholders, ensuring transparency and alignment throughout the testing process.
These components ensure that the testing process is well-planned, structured, and aligned with project goals, leading to effective and efficient testing outcomes that contribute to the overall quality and success of the software product.
Example of a good test strategy
A solid test strategy example for an Agile team includes eight core elements: test scope, test levels, testing tools, entry and exit criteria, change management, environment definitions, compatibility requirements, and risks, with anything beyond that depending on your team’s documentation maturity.
This list is not exhaustive: we’ve listed the main components that an agile test strategy should have. Adding anything extra (such as specifying deliverables) depends on the state of your test documentation and QA maturity. We will be following up on this article with a full-fledged sample test strategy.
Common Test Strategy Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Writing a strategy for testing is rarely the hard part. Keeping it accurate and actually used is where most teams fail. These are the mistakes that show up most often in real test strategy documents, and what to do instead.
Treating the strategy as a one-time document. A strategy written at project kickoff and never touched again stops matching reality within a few sprints, as scope shifts, new risks emerge, and the team’s tooling changes. Fix this by scheduling a fixed review interval rather than waiting for the document to become obviously wrong.
Copying a test strategy example without adapting it. Templates and examples are useful starting points, not finished products. A strategy borrowed wholesale from another project often includes sections your team does not need and omits risks specific to your actual product. Use examples as a checklist of things to consider, not a document to fill in blindly.
Confusing the strategy with the plan. Teams that write a single document trying to serve as both strategy and plan end up with something too detailed to stay current and too vague to actually guide day-to-day testing. Keep the two separate, even if the plan inherits directly from the strategy.
Skipping stakeholder review. A strategy drafted by QA alone and never reviewed by developers, product owners, or business stakeholders tends to optimize for testing thoroughness at the expense of release speed, or vice versa. The review step exists specifically to catch this imbalance before it becomes a recurring conflict.
Ignoring the existing documentation hierarchy. A strategy that duplicates content already covered by the test policy, or that goes so low-level it overlaps with the test plan, creates confusion about which document is the source of truth when they inevitably drift out of sync.
Defining entry and exit criteria too vaguely. “Testing is done when it feels done” is not an exit criterion. Vague criteria are the single most common reason teams cannot agree on whether a release is actually ready, because everyone is silently using a different personal definition of done.
Tips to develop successful QA test strategy
Have a look at test strategy templates available on the internet. They may give you some inspiration even if the described project comes from a completely different industry
Consult other stakeholders to make sure that the test strategy aligns with the business goals
Ensure that your test strategy slots well into the test hierarchy. Don’t go too high-level if you have a test policy to lean on. Don’t go too low-level if you know there is a test plan coming as well.
Find the right QA tools. This is a key part of implementing a test strategy: you need a reliable test management solution with integrations to handle all other QA tools
Your test strategy will benefit greatly from using an innovative test management solution. We suggest aqua, a proven tool that we further enhance with an AI Copilot. You can auto-generate tests, prioritise them, and remove duplicates while using your test suite for context. Automating routine to free time for tasks that need more creativity is an essential piece of any test strategy.
5 decisions to make before you create a testing strategy
Why do you even need to make decisions before creating a test strategy? This is a reasonable question.
First of all, sometimes you don’t need to create test strategy. It might be too overwhelming to create a strategy when a product that you are going to verify is too simple for extra documentation.
Secondly, if you decide to go without a test strategy, it is good to have at least some prototype of a test plan. You still need to figure out what kind of test plan is best for your team and whether or not there are any limitations on your budget or time frame.
It’s important that everyone on your team is clear about the project goals and business objectives. This will help ensure that everyone is moving in the same direction and that no one gets left behind.
Once all those pieces are in place, and everyone knows what they’re doing (and why), it’s time to create an actual plan! This plan should include things like deadlines and milestones so that everyone involved knows what’s expected from them at all times during the project lifecycle (i.e., from concept through implementation).
Only when all criteria mentioned above are taken into consideration, you can finally go to these five decisions you should make towards preparing for a test strategy:
Decide what you’re testing;
Decide who’s going to test it;
Decide when the testing will begin and end;
Decide how you’ll report the results of your tests;
Decide what is the criteria when your software is ready for release!
Once those are taken care of, it’s time to create your software test strategy!
How to Measure the Success of Your Test Strategy
A strategy for testing that nobody measures is just a document of good intentions. These are the metrics that tell you whether your strategy is actually working, not just whether it exists.
Defect leakage rate. What percentage of total defects are found after release rather than during testing? If you caught 90 bugs during testing and 10 more surfaced in production, your leakage rate is 10%. A rising leakage rate over time is the clearest signal that your strategy’s scope or testing levels need adjustment.
Test coverage against requirements. What percentage of documented requirements have at least one linked, executed test case? This is more meaningful than raw code coverage, since it ties directly back to the scope and objectives section of your strategy document.
Schedule adherence. How often does actual testing complete within the timeline the strategy or plan defined? Consistent schedule overruns usually point to unrealistic entry and exit criteria rather than a testing team working too slowly.
Defect detection effectiveness. Of all defects found across the entire project, what percentage were caught during testing rather than reported by end users? This metric directly reflects whether your strategy’s testing levels and types are actually appropriately matched to your product’s risk profile.
Stakeholder review turnaround. How long does it take for stakeholders to review and approve strategy updates? A strategy that takes weeks to get reviewed effectively cannot adapt to a fast-moving Agile project, which defeats the purpose of having one.
Strategy revision frequency. How often does the strategy document actually get updated versus how often the underlying project changes? A strategy that has not changed in a year on a project that ships every two weeks is not being used as a living document, regardless of what it says on paper.
Conclusion
Testing strategy is arguably the most crucial piece of the test documentation hierarchy. It connects business objectives with the practicalities of quality assurance to drive company-based and project-based testing efforts. A good testing strategy requires an experienced QA lead and good communication with other stakeholders to tailor the best practices to your project.
Test strategy is a comprehensive plan for testing a software application that outlines the approach, techniques, resources, and timeline for conducting testing activities. It defines the scope of testing, objectives, techniques, and tools to be used, and roles and responsibilities of team members.
What are the basic testing strategies?
Some basic testing strategies include:
Methodical strategy
Consultative strategy
Analytical strategy
Reactive strategy
Regression-averse strategy
Model-based strategy
What are the best testing strategies?
The best testing strategies depend on the specific project, product, and context. However, some commonly used and effective strategies are:
Model-Based Testing, which involves automatically generating tests from models of the software’s behaviour
Risk-Based Testing, which prioritises testing activities based on the risk of potential problems, allowing for efficient and effective testing with limited resources.
What is a test strategy in Agile?
In Agile software development, a test strategy is a dynamic and adaptive plan that outlines how testing activities will be integrated into Agile development to deliver a high-quality product. Unlike traditional waterfall approaches, Agile test strategies are iterative and flexible, aligning with the methodologies like Scrum or Kanban.
An Agile test strategy is iterative, collaborates with cross-functional teams, emphasises automation and “Shift-Left” testing, focuses on user value, and encourages continuous improvement and adaptability.
What are the differences between test strategy and test plan?
Test Strategy:
Definition: A high-level document outlining the overall testing approach and objectives.
Purpose: Defines the testing scope, objectives, resources, and schedule.
Content: Includes testing methodologies, tools, and techniques to be used.
Scope: Broad and long-term, covering the entire project lifecycle.
Test Plan:
Definition: A detailed document describing the specific testing activities for a particular project or phase.
Purpose: Provides detailed instructions for conducting testing.
Content: Includes test objectives, scope, test schedule, test environment, resources, and deliverables.
Scope: Specific and short-term, focusing on a particular phase or iteration.
What is a test strategy based on?
A test strategy is based on the overall objectives and goals of the testing process, aligned with the business and project requirements. It takes into account factors such as the scope of testing, risk assessment, resource availability, timelines, and the specific methodologies and tools to be used.
How often should a test strategy be reviewed and updated?
A test strategy should be reviewed at fixed intervals rather than only when something obviously breaks, since a strategy left untouched gradually stops matching how the project actually runs. For fast-moving Agile teams, a quarterly review is a reasonable baseline, with an additional ad hoc review whenever scope changes significantly, a major new risk emerges, or the team adopts new tooling that changes how testing is actually executed. The review does not need to be a full rewrite. Most reviews confirm the strategy still holds and adjust one or two sections. A strategy that has not been touched in over a year on an actively developed product is a sign the document has stopped being used as intended.
What is the difference between a test strategy and a test approach?
The terms are often used loosely and interchangeably in casual conversation, but in formal test documentation they describe different scopes. A test strategy is the broader, document-level artifact: scope, objectives, testing levels, environments, entry and exit criteria, and risk management, typically covering multiple projects or a whole organization’s QA practice. A test approach is the specific methodology chosen within that strategy for a particular testing effort, such as risk-based testing, model-based testing, or exploratory testing. In practice, a single test strategy document often defines or references the test approach that will be used to execute it, meaning the approach lives inside the strategy rather than existing as a separate, parallel document.
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