Discover the top 6 common mistakes in test case writing and learn how to avoid them for more effective, accurate, and maintainable software testing. Perfect your test case strategy today!
Writing effective test cases is a crucial part of the software testing process. While it may seem like a straightforward task, it’s easy to make mistakes that can lead to inefficiencies, missed bugs, and confusion in your testing process. In this blog, we’ll go over some of the common mistakes that QA teams often make when writing test cases and how to avoid them. By addressing these issues, you can ensure that your test cases are clear, effective, and comprehensive.
1. Overcomplicating Test Steps
One of the most common mistakes is writing overly complicated test steps. Test cases should be clear and easy to understand, not filled with unnecessary details. When test steps are too complex, testers may get confused, and the results may become inconsistent.
Write simple, step-by-step instructions that anyone can follow. Avoid jargon and unnecessary technical details. Each test step should focus on a single action.
Example:
- Open the application. Wait for a few seconds and check for errors in the console, then click on the login button and proceed to enter the credentials in the login form located on the right sidebar.
Improved Approach:
- Open the application.
- Click on the login button.
- Enter valid credentials.
- Click 'Submit.'
2. Lack of Clear and Specific Expected Results
The expected result of a test case is the benchmark for success. Without clear, specific expected outcomes, it becomes difficult to determine whether the test passed or failed. This often leads to misunderstandings or missed defects.
Ensure that the expected result is specific, measurable, and testable. If the expected behavior is to display a message, specify the exact text or content that should appear.
Ensure that the expected result is specific, measurable, and testable. If the expected behavior is to display a message, specify the exact text or content that should appear.
Example:
"The login screen should load."
"The login screen should load."
Improved Approach:
- "The login screen should display the text 'Welcome, please log in' at the top and fields for username and password."
3. Not Considering Edge Cases
Test cases are often written based on the most common scenarios, but neglecting to test edge cases can result in software defects that only appear in extreme or unexpected conditions. This is a significant oversight.
Make sure to include edge cases, such as the largest and smallest possible inputs, empty fields, or unusual user behavior. Consider testing the application’s boundaries and how it behaves under extreme conditions.
Example of Missing Edge Case:
- Testing a form submission with a 250-character username without checking if the system can handle such long inputs.
Improved Approach:
- Test the form with a username of 250 characters and another with just one character to ensure the form handles both inputs appropriately.
4. Writing Vague or Ambiguous Test Descriptions
Test case descriptions should clearly explain what is being tested. A vague description leaves room for confusion and may result in missed or improperly executed tests. Ambiguity in test case descriptions often leads to misunderstanding about the intent behind the test.
Write concise and clear descriptions that are focused on the objective of the test. Avoid using terms that can be interpreted in multiple ways.
Write concise and clear descriptions that are focused on the objective of the test. Avoid using terms that can be interpreted in multiple ways.
Example of Vague Test Case Description:
- “Test the login functionality.”
Improved Approach:
- “Test the login functionality with valid credentials, ensuring the user is redirected to the dashboard page.”
5. Not Updating Test Cases with Changes in Requirements
As development progresses, features and requirements may change, but test cases often get left behind. Failing to update test cases to reflect the most recent changes can result in outdated tests that no longer reflect the current functionality of the software.
Regularly review and update test cases whenever there are changes in features, UI elements, or functionality. Ensure that your test cases remain aligned with the current state of the software.
Regularly review and update test cases whenever there are changes in features, UI elements, or functionality. Ensure that your test cases remain aligned with the current state of the software.
Example of Neglected Update:
- A test case that verifies a “Submit” button in a form, while the button was later changed to “Send” in the UI. If the test case is not updated, it will fail when executed.
Improved Approach:
- Periodically review your test case suite to ensure all steps, expected results, and UI references reflect the latest changes in the application.
6. Not Including Clear Preconditions and Postconditions
Preconditions and postconditions are essential to ensure that test cases are executed under the right circumstances. Without specifying these conditions, you risk running tests in an unprepared state, leading to inaccurate results.
Clearly define any setup required before the test (preconditions) and what should happen after the test is complete (postconditions). This can include ensuring the system is in the correct state before the test and checking that any changes made during the test are properly rolled back.
Clearly define any setup required before the test (preconditions) and what should happen after the test is complete (postconditions). This can include ensuring the system is in the correct state before the test and checking that any changes made during the test are properly rolled back.
Example of Missing Preconditions:
- Test case that tests a login process without specifying that the user must be registered first.
Improved Approach:
- “Precondition: The user must be registered with valid credentials.”
Conclusion
Writing effective test cases is essential for successful software testing. Avoiding the mistakes outlined above will help you create clear, comprehensive, and efficient test cases that lead to better testing coverage, more accurate results, and fewer missed defects. By addressing common mistakes like overcomplicating test steps, neglecting edge cases, and failing to update test cases, you can significantly improve the quality of your software testing process.
At QAonCloud, we understand the importance of well-structured test cases and provide a flexible, on-demand QA-as-a-Service to help you streamline your testing efforts. With our automated testing solutions, we ensure your test cases are executed efficiently, without the hassle, while also offering detailed reports to help you make data-driven decisions. Talk to our experts today to know more.
