Reduce documentation – charters over test cases
If you're looking to shave some time off of your test documentation tasks, take a look at working some charters into your test plan so you have fewer scripted test cases to write. Charters are simple to document - you start with defining a mission, an anticipated length, and if you'd like a bit more structure you can include a bullet-list of coverage items so you're sure the person who executes the charter hits all the critical parts. Contrast that with a typical Microsoft Word test case template which includes columns for step, expected result, screenshots, data, setup tasks, comments, etc... It's just a lot of work, for (many times) very little return. If you have not tried using charters before, check em' out.
This tip was part of a brainstorm developed at the September 2011 Indianapolis Workshop on Software Testing on the topic of "Documenting for Testing." The attendees of that workshop (and participants in the brainstorm) included: Charlie Audritsh, Scott Barber, Rick Grey, Michael Kelly, Natalie Mego, Charles Penn, Margie Weaver, and Tina Zaza.
October 3rd, 2011 - 01:21
Even for testers who dont have compliance requirements to adhere to often there are personal testing notes coverage documentation defects and release communications that require our attention. We think it would be interesting to hear and see different ways that testers document their testing.