Test implementation is the practice of organizing and prioritizing tests. This is carried out by Test Analysts who implement the test designs as real test cases, test processes and test data.

If you are observing the IEEE 829 standard, you must define these parameters as well :

• Test inputs
• Expected results for each test case
• Steps to be followed for each test process

These three are documented together and test data is stored in the form of database tables, flat files, etc.

Ensuring that the team is prepared for executing the test design is an important part of test implementation process.

Some of the checks that could be performed to confirm that the team ready to execute tests include:

• Ensuring that the test environment is in place
• Ensuring every test case is well documented and reviewed
• Putting test environment in a state of readiness
• Checking against explicit and implicit entry criteria for the specified test level
• Describing test environment as well as test data in great detail
• Performing code acceptance check by running it on test environment

Granularity and related complexity of tasks taken up in the course of test implementation is often influenced by granularity of test work products like test cases, test conditions etc.

For example, if the tests are to be documented for using again in future for regression testing, the test documents will record step by step description of executing the test.

This detailed explanation will enable other software testers to conduct the test reliably and consistently irrespective of their expertise.

Similarly, if regulatory guidelines are applicable to the test procedure, test compliance to relevant standards must be documented as evidence.

Test Managers are also responsible for creating a schedule for test execution, detailing the order for execution of both automated and manual tests.

They should diligently check for constraints like risks, priorities etc. that may necessitate the tests to be executed in a specific order or using a specific equipment. Test Managers should also check for dependencies on test data or test environment.

Disadvantages of early test implementation

Implementing the tests early may have some disadvantages too.

• For example, if Agile lifecycle has been adopted for product development, the code itself may undergo drastic changes between consecutive iterations. This will render the whole test implementation useless.
• In fact, any iterative development lifecycle will affect the code between iterations, even if it is not as drastic as that in the Agile lifecycle.
• This will make pre-defined tests obsolete or require continuous and resource intensive maintenance.
• Similarly, even in case of sequential lifecycles, if the project is badly managed and requirements keep changing even when project is in an advanced state, early test implementation can be rendered obsolete.

Therefore, before starting the test implementation process, Test Manager should consider these important points:

• Software development life cycle being used
• Features that need to be tested
• Probability of change in requirement late into project lifecycle
• Possibility of changes in code between two iterations

Advantages of early test implementation

Early test implementation offers some advantages too.

• Concrete tests, for example, deliver ready examples of appropriate behavior of the software if documented according to the test conditions.
• Domain experts find it easier to verify the concrete tests rather than non-concrete business rules, which further enables them to detect faults in software specifications.

You may wish to review Test Implementation from the perspective of Foundation Level.

The next article discusses Test Execution.

Other popular articles:

• How to manage Non-Functional Testing?
• What is fundamental test process in software testing?
• How to align software testing activities with product / development lifecycle activities?
• How Do Software Development Lifecycle Activities & Work Products Affect Testing?
• Estimating what testing will involve and what it will cost?