Test plan vs Test strategy

The main difference between test plan vs test strategy is that test plan is a document that describes various testing attributes, such as the test objectives, scope, estimation, expectations, assets required, etc. On the other hand, a test strategy is a document that explains how the testing will be done (steps or the procedure to test the software).

This article will explore the test plan vs test strategy in detail. But, before we explore the test plan vs test strategy, let’s go through the list of topics listed under the table of contents (TOC) that we will cover in this article.

Table of contents (TOC)

• Test plan vs test strategy
• What is a test plan?
• What is a test strategy?
• Key differences between test plan vs test strategy
• Conclusion

Test plan vs test strategy

For a better understanding, let’s explore the test plan vs test strategy in a tabular format:

Benchmark	Test plan	Test strategy
What is it?	A document related to software testing that defines the testing attributes, such as test objective, scope, assets required, etc.	A document related to software testing that defines how to perform the testing.
Is it changeable?	Yes. You can make changes to the test plan document.	No. You can’t make changes to the test strategy document.
This document describes the	Details regarding the software testing, such as test objective, scope, etc.	Methodologies to follow in order to test the software.
This document is created by the	Test administrator or test manager.	Project manager
Different types	Level-specific, type-specific, and master test plan.	Model-based, analytical, methodical, reactive, standard-compliant, consultative, and regression-averse strategy.
This document is utilized at the	Project level	Association level
Can this document affect multiple documents at a time?	No	Yes

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What is a test plan? 

Test plan definition: A test plan is a document that describes various testing attributes, such as the test objectives, scope, estimation, test schedule, template, expectations, assets required, etc.

In layman’s terms, a test plan document answers the “what” questions, such as what are the test objectives, what is the scope of the test, what assets will be required, what is the test schedule, etc. The test administrator or test manager usually prepares a test plan. And this document is crucial as it helps you to deliver a quality product.

There are three test plan types, such as:

• Level-specific: This test plan emphasizes any one phase of testing, such as unit, acceptance, integration test plans, etc.
• Type-specific: This test plan is created for specific types of testing, such as performance test plans, usability test plans, etc. This test plan is majorly used to carry out non-functional testing.
• Master test plan: This test plan includes multiple test strategies and consists of multiple levels of testing, such as quality assurance (QA) testing.

What is a test strategy?

Test strategy definition: A test strategy is a document that describes how the testing will be done (steps. methodologies, or the procedure to test the software).

In layman’s terms, a test strategy document answers the “how” questions, such as how many cycles of testing there will be, how will the functional testing occur, etc. The project manager usually prepares a test strategy document. And this document is very crucial as it ensures quality, reliability, traceability, and better planning.

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There are seven test strategy types, such as:

• Model-based: In this type of testing, the team selects the current or expected situation and creates a model that includes: inputs, outputs, processes, and possible behavior.
• Analytical: In this type of test strategy, the team performs testing based on requirements, which are analyzed to derive the test conditions.
• Methodical: In this type of test strategy, the team follows a set of test conditions and pre-defined quality standard checklists.
• Reactive: In this type of test strategy, the team designs the test and executes them only after the real software is delivered.
• Standard-compliant: In this type of test strategy, the test engineer will adhere to guidelines developed by a panel of industry experts in order to identify test conditions, describe test cases, and organize the testing team.
• Consultative: In this type of test strategy, investors select the scope of test conditions as user-directed testing.
• Regression-averse strategy: In this type of testing, the test engineer mainly focuses on reducing regression risks for functional or non-functional product shares.

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Key differences between test plan vs test strategy

Here are the key differences between the test plan vs test strategy:

• At the project level, test plans are used, whereas test strategies are used at the organisational level.
• Changes can be done in a test plan document, but in a test strategy document no changes can be done.
• The test manager is in charge of the test plan, while the project manager is in charge of the test strategy.
• A test plan document answers the “what” questions, whereas a test strategy document answers the “how” questions.
• Test plan is a document that describes various testing attributes, such as the test objectives, scope, estimation, expectations, assets required, etc. On the other hand, a test strategy is a document that explains how the testing will be done (steps or the procedure to test the software).

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Conclusion

In this article, we have discussed what test plan and test strategy documents are. We have also explored test plan vs test types, along with the different test plan types and different test strategy types. If you have any quesries related to this topic, please feel free to drop your queries in the comment box. We will be happy to help!