ISTQB FOUNDATION 4.0 | Tutorial 42 | Acceptance Test Driven Development | Test Design Techniques

Summary

This tutorial delves into Acceptance Test-Driven Development (ATDD), an agile approach where test cases are collaboratively written before development, based on acceptance criteria. It emphasizes a test-first methodology involving multi-stakeholder perspectives to ensure clarity and correctness. The script outlines steps including a specification workshop, test case creation, and iterative development to pass the tests, highlighting the importance of clear, non-redundant test cases that serve as executable requirements for developers.

Takeaways

• 📘 ATDD stands for Acceptance Test Driven Development and is a collaborative approach used in Agile methodologies.
• 🔍 ATDD involves writing test cases based on acceptance criteria before the actual development begins, emphasizing a test-first approach.
• 👥 The test cases in ATDD are created by a team with diverse perspectives including customers, developers, and testers.
• 🛠 Test cases may be executed either manually or automated, offering flexibility in the testing process.
• 📝 The Specification Workshop is a key step where user stories and acceptance criteria are analyzed and ambiguities are resolved.
• 📈 ATDD helps in ensuring the implementation meets the requirements by using test cases as a reference for developers.
• 📝 Test cases should be written clearly and understandably to be accessible to all stakeholders, including those who might need to reproduce defects.
• 🚫 The script emphasizes avoiding duplicate test cases to prevent redundancy and ensure each test case covers unique aspects of the user story.
• 🔄 Developers work in a tight loop of refactoring and rerunning tests until they pass, indicating successful implementation.
• 📋 Once tests pass, they serve as executable requirements for the feature, providing a clear and agreed-upon standard for implementation.
• 🌟 The tutorial highlights the importance of writing detailed yet specific test cases that cover all characteristics of the user story without unnecessary details.

Q & A

What is the main focus of Chapter 4 in the ISTQB Foundation Level certification tutorial?

The main focus of Chapter 4 is on test analysis and design, specifically discussing collaboration-based test approaches, including Acceptance Test Driven Development (ATDD), Test Driven Development (TDD), and Behavior Driven Development (BDD).

What does ATDD stand for and what is its significance in Agile methodologies?

ATDD stands for Acceptance Test Driven Development. It is significant in Agile methodologies as it is a collaborative approach where test cases are written based on acceptance criteria before the actual development, ensuring that the implementation meets the specified requirements.

What are the three standard test approaches used in Agile?

The three standard test approaches used in Agile are Test Driven Development (TDD), Behavior Driven Development (BDD), and Acceptance Test Driven Development (ATDD).

Why is it important for test cases to be created prior to the implementation of a story in ATDD?

Creating test cases prior to implementation in ATDD is important because it ensures that the development is guided by the acceptance criteria, helping to identify and resolve any ambiguities or defects in the user stories, and ultimately leading to more accurate and efficient implementation.

What is the role of a specification workshop in the context of ATDD?

A specification workshop is where the user story and its acceptance criteria are analyzed, discussed, and written by the team members. It helps resolve any incompleteness, ambiguities, or defects in the user stories and ensures that the test cases are based on a clear understanding of the requirements.

Can test cases in ATDD be executed manually or do they need to be automated?

Test cases in ATDD can be executed both manually and through automation. It is not a requirement for them to be automated; the choice depends on the specific needs and resources of the project.

What is the purpose of writing test cases first in the ATDD approach?

Writing test cases first in the ATDD approach serves as a reference for developers to understand the expected behavior of the software. It helps ensure that the implementation aligns with the acceptance criteria and that the final product meets the specified requirements.

How should test cases be written in the ATDD approach to ensure they are understandable for all stakeholders?

Test cases should be written in a way that is understandable for all stakeholders, using natural language that includes necessary preconditions, inputs, and postconditions. They should be detailed enough for anyone to reproduce the test or understand the rationale behind a failure.

What is the significance of not having duplicate test cases in the ATDD approach?

Avoiding duplicate test cases in the ATDD approach is important to prevent redundancy and ensure that each test case uniquely covers a specific aspect of the user story. This helps maintain clarity and efficiency in the testing process.

How do developers interact with test cases in the ATDD approach?

In the ATDD approach, developers work closely with the test cases, using them as a guide to implement the feature described by a user story. They may go through repeated iterations of running the tests, refactoring the code, and rerunning the tests until all tests pass, indicating that the implementation is complete.

What is the final outcome of the ATDD process in terms of the acceptance tests?

The final outcome of the ATDD process is that the acceptance tests become executable requirements for the implementation. They serve as a confirmation that the software meets the specified acceptance criteria and is ready for deployment.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Introduction to Acceptance Test Driven Development (ATDD)

This paragraph introduces the topic of Acceptance Test Driven Development (ATDD) within the context of agile methodologies. It explains that ATDD is a collaborative approach where test cases are written first based on acceptance criteria, before the actual development begins. The paragraph discusses the standard test methods in agile, namely TD, BDD, and ATDD, and highlights the importance of a specification workshop where team members analyze and define acceptance criteria. The summary emphasizes the test-first approach of ATDD, where test cases are created by a diverse team including customers, developers, and testers, and may be executed manually or through automation.

05:01

🔍 In-Depth Exploration of ATDD Test Case Writing

The second paragraph delves deeper into the specifics of writing test cases in ATDD. It outlines the process starting with positive test cases using valid data to ensure the 'happy path' is correctly tested. The paragraph then discusses the importance of negative testing to confirm correct behavior under error conditions and the inclusion of non-functional quality characteristics such as performance and usability. The summary stresses the need for test cases to be understandable to stakeholders and to cover all aspects of the user story without duplication. It also touches on the iterative process between developers and testers, where tests are run, code is refactored, and tests are rerun until they pass, signifying successful implementation.

10:03

🎓 Conclusion and Encouragement for Continuous Learning

The final paragraph serves as a conclusion to the tutorial, encouraging viewers to continue learning and exploring the subject matter. It emphasizes the importance of understanding the context and provides an open invitation for viewers to ask questions or comment for further clarification. The paragraph ends with a motivational note to keep learning and a sign-off with a cheerful tone, indicating the end of the video tutorial.

Keywords

💡ISTQB Foundation Level Certification

ISTQB Foundation Level Certification is a globally recognized qualification for software testers. It signifies that the individual has a foundational understanding of software testing principles and practices. In the video, the tutorial is focused on this certification, specifically discussing test analysis and design in the context of agile methodologies.

💡Test Analysis and Design

Test Analysis and Design is a process within software testing that involves understanding the requirements and designing test cases to ensure the software meets those requirements. The video script discusses this as part of Chapter 4, emphasizing its importance in the ISTQB certification and its application in agile environments.

💡Acceptance Test Driven Development (ATDD)

Acceptance Test Driven Development (ATDD) is an agile software development approach where acceptance tests are written collaboratively before the actual coding begins. The script explains ATDD as a test-first approach, highlighting its significance in ensuring the software meets the defined acceptance criteria.

💡Test Driven Development (TDD)

Test Driven Development (TDD) is a software development technique where tests are written before the code that is supposed to pass those tests. In the script, TDD is mentioned as one of the three standard test methods or approaches in agile, alongside BDD and ATDD.

💡Behavior Driven Development (BDD)

Behavior Driven Development (BDD) is a software development approach that focuses on the behavior of software from the user's perspective. The script refers to BDD as having been discussed in Chapter 2, indicating its relevance in the context of agile methodologies.

💡Collaborative Approach

A collaborative approach in the script refers to the involvement of multiple stakeholders, such as business analysts, developers, and testers, in the process of writing test cases. This approach is integral to ATDD, ensuring that tests are comprehensive and reflect the perspectives of all involved parties.

💡Acceptance Criteria

Acceptance Criteria are conditions that must be met for a feature to be considered complete and acceptable from a user's perspective. The script discusses how test cases in ATDD are derived directly from these criteria, emphasizing their importance in guiding the development process.

💡Specification Workshop

A Specification Workshop, as mentioned in the script, is a collaborative session where team members analyze, discuss, and define acceptance criteria for user stories. It is a key step in the ATDD process, ensuring clarity and completeness of requirements before test case creation.

💡Test Cases

Test Cases are detailed descriptions of the steps required to test a particular feature or functionality of the software. The script explains that in ATDD, test cases are created before development and are based on acceptance criteria, serving as the basis for implementation.

💡Positive and Negative Testing

Positive testing involves testing the software with valid input to ensure it performs as expected, while negative testing checks the software's response to invalid or unexpected input. The script mentions that after creating positive test cases, the team should perform negative testing to cover all possible scenarios.

💡Non-functional Quality Characteristics

Non-functional Quality Characteristics refer to attributes of software that are not directly related to the functionality but impact the overall quality, such as performance, efficiency, and usability. The script points out that test cases should also cover these characteristics to ensure comprehensive testing.

💡Executable Requirements

Executable Requirements are test cases that can be run automatically to verify the software's behavior against the specified requirements. The script explains that in ATDD, acceptance tests serve as executable requirements, guiding the development process and confirming the implementation's correctness.

Highlights

Introduction to ISTQB Foundation Level Certification Chapter 4 on Test Analysis and Design.

Discussion on Collaboration Based Test Approaches, specifically Acceptance Test Driven Development (ATDD).

Explanation of the three standard test methods in Agile: TDD, BDD, and ATDD.

ATDD is a collaborative approach to writing test cases from acceptance criteria.

Test cases in ATDD are written before development, emphasizing a test-first approach.

Involvement of different team members including customers, developers, and testers in creating test cases.

Test cases may be executed manually or automated in ATDD.

The Specification Workshop process for analyzing and writing acceptance criteria.

Importance of resolving incompleteness and ambiguities in user stories during the workshop.

Creating test cases based on acceptance criteria as examples of software functionality.

The rationale behind writing tests first to guide development and ensure implementation meets requirements.

Interchangeable use of the terms 'test' and 'examples' in Agile methodology.

Application of test techniques in Agile based on detailed requirement information.

The sequence of writing test cases in ATDD: starting with positive test cases, followed by negative testing, and non-functional characteristics.

Test cases should be understandable to stakeholders and contain necessary preconditions, inputs, and postconditions.

Ensuring test cases are specific to the user story and avoiding unnecessary aspects.

Uniqueness of test cases to prevent duplication and ensure each test covers different characteristics.

Developers automate test cases by writing supporting code while implementing features.

The iterative process of running, refactoring, and rerunning tests until they pass, indicating successful implementation.

Acceptance tests serve as executable requirements for the implementation.

Emphasis on the efficiency and collaborative review of test cases during their creation.

Closing remarks encouraging continuous learning and exploration in the context of Agile testing.

Transcripts

Hello friends and greetings for today

welcome back to another tutorial on

istqb Foundation level certification we

are in chapter 4 talking about test

analysis and design and continuing ahead

with our same segment that is 4.5

collaboration based test approaches and

as a part of today's tutorial we'll be

getting into the discussions of what is

acceptance test driven

development

when it comes to the test approaches

being used in agile we have three

standard test methods or approaches and

that are called as tddd bdd and atdd TD

stands for test driven development bdd

stands for Behavior driven development

which we have discussed in Chapter 2

already and now we have time to talk

about the third one which is acceptance

trust driven development however

acceptance test is a collaborative

approach of writing test cases right

from acceptance criterias and thus it

becomes one of the techniques in order

to analyze the information at the same

way design the appropriate test cases

the only difference here is that the

test are written first then the

development so test cases are DED right

from acceptance criteria and then based

on these tests the development will be

done by the developers so let's quickly

have a look and try to understand what

exactly this particular topic is trying

to convey us from the syllabus the first

and foremost important thing is ATD is a

test first approach the test cases are

created prior to implementation of the

story the test cases are created by team

members with different perspective which

includes customer developers and testers

so and anyways as I just told you that

it is a collaborative approach of

writing these test cases so it does not

just include a business analyst or

product owner to only alone write the

test cases however it's a collaborative

approach so it includes includes the

perspective of the business developers

and testers put together in order to

derive the test cases right from the

acceptance criteria also to add here uh

the test cases may be executed manually

or automated so it's not necessary that

it should only be automated but it can

be executed manually as well now the

four step is of course is the

specification Workshop where the user

story and that is if not yet defined its

acceptance criteria are analyzed

discussed and written by the team

members incompleteness ambiguities or

defects in the user stories are resolved

during this process so I think that's a

very common and straightforward thing at

this point of time after covering

chapter 3 also where we told you about

that the review processes helps you to

identify the anomalies in the written

work product so at this point of time if

you have the user stories written even

if you don't have acceptance criteria

the team sits together in order to

discuss analyze and find ambiguities

related to user stories and then look

forward to derive the test cases but

prior to that of course the test bases

completeness and correctness has to be

measured and that certainly gets done

right at this point of time also to add

here when it comes to the next step it

is to create the test cases this can be

done by the team as a whole or by the

tester individually as well the test

cases are based on acceptance criteria

and can be seen as examples of how the

software works this will help the team

implement the user stories correctly so

one way it's more of like the concept of

test methods however discussed in agile

very detailed but right here all I we

want to let you know in a very crisp

manner that why should we write test

before development the more important

thing here is to understand that when it

is a test which justifies whether the

implementation is up to the mark Or Not

the question is why don't we write the

test first so if the test is written

first then certainly it will do the

Fulfillment of of what the

implementation has to be and the

developer has to stick to that

particular reference that what the test

cases are trying to say and based on

that I can look forward to continue

further in terms of what exactly to

implement so that the test cases passes

so of course at the end the test should

pass in order to say the implementation

is accomplished so we just give the test

initially before the development to the

U team in order to say let's go ahead

and implement it according to that so

let's add further and right here the

since examples and tests are the same

these terms are often used

interchangeably which means uh the test

and examples are exactly the same thing

so these are common keywords which are

used quite often as a part of the agile

methodology and they are quite often

easily interchangeable in terms of

utilization also to add here during the

test design the test techniques may be

applied so it's not that when it comes

to Agile the the test techniques are

restricted the test techniques can very

well be used as far as you have the

required details or information related

to the requirement that would be more

than enough to define the or apply the

techniques so let's have a look further

to understand a little more at what this

technique is trying to say so when it

comes to the approach of writing the

test cases there is a very significant

way which we generally follow and all of

us are not new to this we have been

following this approach for a long time

but still indeed let us discuss that

what ATD strictly follows in terms of

writing the test cases so very first

thing here is that typically the first

test cases are positive so first test

case has to be with the valid set of

data so that the happy path can be

tested and it works as expected second

confirming the correct Behavior without

exceptions or error conditions and

comprising the sequences of activities

executed if everything goes as expected

also after the positive test cases are

done the team should perform negative

testing and finally the team should

cover the non-functional quality

characteristics as well which includes

performance efficiency usability Etc

test cases should be expressed in a way

that is understandable for the

stakeholders so conclusively of course

uh the test cases will always have the

positive scenarios first as far as the

positive test cases pass we look forward

to run the negative test cases if in

case the negative negative test cases

are not working fine we certainly report

the defects but at the same time we make

sure that the test cases which are

written it should be written in a way

that can be understood by everyone in

terms of stakeholders so it's not that

we write high level test cases we do

write some detailed test cases which

helps any other stakeholders to

understand them because in terms of

failures when we report a defect there

might be many other people who might be

interested to go through your test case

to understand how to reproduce a defect

or sometime just to understand what was

the reason for the failure so it's very

important the way you write the test

cases in agile is is also going to cover

the language which helps anyone else to

understand about your test cases further

to add here of course typically the test

cases contain sentences in natural

languages involving the necessary

preconditions the inputs and the post

conditions which is a generic protocol

of writing test cases however the test

cases must cover all the characteristics

of the user story and should not go

beyond the story that means it should be

limited and do specific very specific to

the point in terms of what exactly is

needed to be included writing

unnecessary aspects of a story would

result into confusions and implementing

something which may not be needed which

will turn into a longer duration as well

so it is however the acceptance criteria

May detail some of the issues described

in the user story so it is very okay to

talk about that the user stories can

have issues related to what the

challenges you can face on the way while

implementing the story as well further

to add in addition no two test cases

should describe the same characteristics

of the user story when captured in a

format supported by a test automation

framework the developer can automate the

test cases by writing the supporting

code as they implement the feature

described by a user story so it's a very

important and simple thing to understand

that there should be no such two test

cases which are duplicate of each other

that means writing the same thing once

again which might result into duplicacy

of the work and if once we have taken

care of that the implementation will be

done after following your test cases so

developers will now look at the copy of

your test cases try to understand and

then look forward to implement the code

in order to make that test particularly

pass so there will be repeated

iterations in order to you know run

failure will happen for the test then

the code will be refactored then rerun

refactored rerun till the test passes so

they will developers will work in a very

tight Loop in order to make the test

pass and as when as in when the test

passes the implementation is considered

as done finally uh the acceptance test

then becomes executable requirements for

everyone that is for the implementation

so put together that was one of the key

approaches again from the agile

perspective that how exactly do we

design the test cases and uniquely

differentiate with the collaborative

approach of multi stakeholders together

now in this case we do understand the

test cases will be more efficient and

will be revised and reviewed right at

the time of creation itself and would

help the developers to do the

implementation as referring the

requirement would be more of like

referring your test cases so that's all

from this particular tutorial team

should you have anything else feel free

to comment below I'm always there to

address your queries and answer them

well till then keep learning keep

exploring keep understanding the context

thanks for watching the video team and

happy

[Music]

learning