ISTQB FOUNDATION 4.0 | Tutorial 53 | Test Progress Report | Test Summary Report | CTFL Tutorials

Summary

In this tutorial on ISTQB Foundation Level Certification, we delve into test monitoring, control, and completion, focusing on test reports in the testing lifecycle. The video covers the importance of test reporting for stakeholders, differentiating between test progress and test summary reports. It explains their contents, purposes, and frequency of creation. Additionally, it highlights the various communication methods for sharing test reports, emphasizing the need to tailor reports to the needs of different stakeholders, especially in distributed teams. This tutorial aims to enhance understanding of effective test reporting and communication strategies.

Takeaways

• 📊 Test reporting is crucial in the testing life cycle to consistently share information with stakeholders about testing progress and necessary actions.
• 📈 There are two main types of test reports: test progress reports and test summary (or completion) reports.
• ⏳ Test progress reports are generated multiple times during the life cycle, such as at the end of each sprint in agile methodology.
• 📅 Test summary reports are created at significant milestones, such as the end of a project or release, and provide a comprehensive overview.
• 📝 Test progress reports include details like the test period, progress status, notable deviations, impediments, test metrics, and plans for the next period.
• ✅ Test completion reports summarize the entire test phase, evaluating the product quality, deviations from the test plan, unresolved defects, and lessons learned.
• 🎯 The level of detail and frequency of reporting depends on the target audience and stakeholder requirements.
• 🗣️ Common methods for communicating test reports include verbal updates, dashboards, electronic communication channels, online documentation, and formal test reports.
• 🌐 More formal communication is necessary for distributed teams due to geographical and time differences.
• 📅 Regular and well-structured reporting ensures all stakeholders are informed and can make necessary adjustments to the test schedule, resources, or plan.

Q & A

What are the two types of reports mentioned in the testing life cycle?

The two types of reports are the test progress report and the test summary report.

What is the primary purpose of test reports in the testing life cycle?

The primary purpose of test reports is to summarize and communicate the test information during and after the testing to keep stakeholders informed about the testing progress, support ongoing control, and provide data for modifying the test schedule, resources, or plan as needed.

How does a test progress report differ from a test summary report?

A test progress report is created several times during the testing life cycle, such as after each sprint in agile methodology, while a test summary report, also known as a test completion report, is prepared at the end of a project or release and provides a comprehensive summary of the entire testing period.

What key information is included in a test progress report?

A test progress report includes the test period duration, test progress made (ahead, on schedule, or behind schedule), notable deviations, impediments and their workarounds, test metrics (test cases, defects, risk coverage), new and changed risks, and the testing plan for the next period.

What are some common contents of a test completion report?

A test completion report typically includes a test summary, testing and product quality evaluation based on the original test plan, deviations from the test plan, testing impediments and workarounds, test metrics, unmitigated risks, defects not fixed, and relevant lessons learned.

How should reports be tailored based on the target audience?

Reports should be tailored to the target audience's needs, influencing the degree of formality and frequency of reporting. Detailed information may be necessary for some stakeholders, while others might prefer high-level summaries or graphical data.

Why is it important to communicate test reports regularly in agile methodology?

Regular communication of test reports in agile methodology is important to keep all stakeholders informed about the progress, address any deviations or impediments promptly, and adjust plans as necessary to stay aligned with the project goals and timelines.

What are some effective ways to communicate test status in modern testing practices?

Effective ways to communicate test status include verbal communication during standup meetings, dashboards (CICD dashboard, task board, burndown chart), electronic communication channels (email, chat, video conferencing), online documentation (SharePoint, OneDrive, Confluence), and formal test reports.

How do emerging risks get addressed in test reports?

Emerging risks are consistently monitored and included in test progress reports to keep stakeholders aware of new or changed risks as the product evolves. These risks are addressed with appropriate mitigation plans or workarounds.

What is the significance of including lessons learned in a test completion report?

Including lessons learned in a test completion report is significant as it showcases the improvements made and the mistakes avoided during the project. This helps demonstrate the team's growth and maturity, potentially encouraging future business opportunities.

Outlines

00:00

📊 Importance of Test Reports in the Testing Lifecycle

This paragraph introduces the significance of test reporting in the testing lifecycle. It emphasizes the importance of sharing information with stakeholders to keep them updated on the progress of testing, the support needed, and action items for project management. The tutorial will cover types of test reports, their content, and their target audience, focusing on test progress reports and test summary reports, including their frequency and purpose in both agile and traditional methodologies.

05:00

📈 Test Progress Reports: Content and Purpose

This paragraph delves into the details of test progress reports. It explains that these reports are generated regularly (daily, weekly, etc.) and summarize test information, support ongoing test control, and provide data for schedule modifications. Key contents include test period duration, progress status, impediments, workarounds, test matrices (e.g., test cases, defects, risk coverage), emerging risks, and plans for the next period. These reports help stakeholders understand the progress and any issues encountered during testing.

10:01

📋 Test Completion Reports: Comprehensive Summary and Insights

The focus here is on test completion reports, which are created at the end of a project or release. These reports provide a detailed summary of the testing phase, including evaluation of product quality based on the original test plan, deviations from the plan, unresolved defects, and unmitigated risks. They also include lessons learned, which can help improve future projects. The paragraph emphasizes the importance of tailoring reports to the audience, ensuring they contain the necessary level of detail and formality.

💬 Effective Communication of Test Reports

This paragraph discusses various methods of communicating test reports to stakeholders, emphasizing the importance of choosing the right approach based on the organization's test management concerns, strategies, and team structure. Options include verbal communication (standup calls, daily meetups), dashboards (task boards, burndown charts), electronic communication channels (email, chat, video conferencing), online documentation (SharePoint, Confluence), and formal test reports. The paragraph highlights the need for customization of reports based on stakeholders' needs and the team's distribution.

🛠 Best Practices for Test Report Communication

The final paragraph reinforces the importance of selecting appropriate communication methods for test reports, especially for distributed teams where face-to-face communication is limited. It suggests using formal, detailed reports for such teams to ensure clarity. The paragraph concludes by summarizing the main points of the tutorial and inviting viewers to ask questions for further clarification, emphasizing continuous learning and improvement in the context of test reporting.

Keywords

💡Test Monitoring

Test monitoring involves tracking the progress and performance of testing activities throughout the software development lifecycle. It is crucial for identifying deviations from the test plan and ensuring that the testing process stays on track. In the script, test monitoring supports ongoing control and helps in making necessary modifications to the test schedule, resources, or plan.

💡Test Control

Test control refers to the actions taken to handle the deviations and issues identified during test monitoring. This can include adjusting the test plan, reallocating resources, or changing schedules to address the deviations. In the video, test control is discussed as a critical part of managing test activities and ensuring that testing goals are met despite any arising challenges.

💡Test Completion

Test completion is the phase where testing activities are finalized, and a summary of the testing outcomes is prepared. It involves ensuring that all exit criteria are met and providing a comprehensive report on the testing process and its results. The script explains that test completion reports summarize specific stages of testing and include information for subsequent testing cycles.

💡Test Progress Report

A test progress report provides ongoing updates on the status of testing activities. These reports are generated regularly (e.g., daily or weekly) and include information on the testing period, progress, deviations, impediments, test metrics, and plans for the next testing period. The video highlights that test progress reports are crucial for keeping stakeholders informed and supporting continuous test control.

💡Test Summary Report

Also known as a test completion report, a test summary report is created at the end of a testing phase or project. It provides a detailed summary of the testing efforts, including the extent to which test objectives and exit criteria were met, deviations from the test plan, unresolved defects, and lessons learned. In the script, the test summary report is described as a comprehensive document that is produced once and used for final evaluation.

💡Stakeholders

Stakeholders are individuals or groups with an interest in the testing process and its outcomes, such as project managers, developers, clients, and users. The script emphasizes the importance of communicating test progress and results to stakeholders to ensure transparency and support decision-making. Different stakeholders may require varying levels of detail and frequency in the reports.

💡Impediments

Impediments are obstacles or issues that hinder the progress of testing activities. Identifying and addressing these impediments is essential for maintaining the test schedule and achieving testing goals. The video discusses how test progress reports should include information about impediments and their workarounds to keep stakeholders informed about challenges faced during testing.

💡Risk

In the context of software testing, risk refers to potential problems that could negatively impact the project, such as defects, resource constraints, or schedule delays. The script explains that both emerging risks during the testing period and unmitigated risks at the end of the project should be included in test reports. Continuous risk assessment is necessary to manage and mitigate these risks effectively.

💡Agile Methodology

Agile methodology is an iterative and incremental approach to software development that emphasizes flexibility, collaboration, and customer satisfaction. In the script, Agile is mentioned in the context of generating test progress reports at the end of each Sprint and a test summary report for the overall release. This methodology supports frequent updates and adjustments to the testing process based on feedback and changing requirements.

💡Communication Channels

Communication channels refer to the various methods used to share test reports and status updates with stakeholders. These can include verbal communication, dashboards, electronic communication (emails, chats), online documentation, and formal test reports. The video discusses how the choice of communication channels depends on factors like the test management concern, organizational strategies, and the needs of the stakeholders.

Highlights

Introduction to managing test activities and test monitoring, control, and completion in the ISTQB Foundation level certification.

Importance of test reporting in the testing lifecycle for consistent information sharing with stakeholders.

Responsibility of testers to share progress and support needs with other stakeholders in project management.

Existence of two types of reports in the testing lifecycle: test progress report and test summary report.

Test summary report's role in summarizing the overall release or project, while test progress report is created multiple times.

Agile methodology's use of test progress reports at the end of each sprint, with a test summary report for the entire release.

Standardization of test reports with templates available from IEEE and other standards, but organizations can customize based on needs.

Content of test progress reports includes test period, progress, notable deviations, and workarounds.

Inclusion of test matrices, risk coverage, and measurements in test progress reports to demonstrate progress.

Discussion of emerging risks and their mitigation in test progress reports as the product evolves.

Inclusion of the testing plan for the next period in test progress reports, especially in agile methodologies.

Test completion report's role in summarizing a specific stage of testing, including product quality evaluation and exit criteria.

Identification of unmitigated risks and unresolved defects in the test completion report.

Inclusion of lessons learned relevant to testing in the test completion report to showcase project maturity and improvement.

Customization of reports based on the needs of different stakeholders and the level of detail they require.

Use of a blended approach in communicating test reports, combining various methods like verbal communication, dashboards, and online documentation.

Importance of tailoring communication methods to the needs of stakeholders, especially in distributed teams.

Final thoughts on the significance of managing test reports effectively to improve project outcomes and stakeholder engagement.

Transcripts

Hello friends and greetings for the day

welcome back to another tutorial on

istqb Foundation level certification we

are in chapter 5 talking about managing

the test activities and continuing ahead

with 5.3 that is the test monitoring

test control and test completion and as

a part of today's tutorial we'll be

talking about the test reports what we

use in testing life

cycle

when it comes to test reporting in

testing life cycle it becomes very

crucial as one of the objective of

testing also says that it is our

responsibility to consistently share the

information with other stakeholders to

let them know how the testing is

progressing and sometime what support

what inputs what action items we need to

adher to when it comes to the overall

project management not other so much but

testing certainly being the last

activity in the life cycle because very

important for all the stakeholders that

how exactly testing is progressing and

what are the other things what we need

to take care of and in that context we

do create reports and share with our

stakeholders in this particular tutorial

we will not just be understanding that

what are the reports we have what are

the content of the report but also we'll

understand why we should write a report

who is our target audience and how

exactly that drives the overall content

of the report altogether first of all we

want to let you know that we have two

types of of report in testing life cycle

one is test progress report and second

is test summary

report and uh when we talk about the

test uh summary report it is more of

like the overall release or overall

project whereas test progress report is

something which has the similar content

to that of the test summary report but

being created several times during the

life cycle so it's not that it's created

only once but it just gets created

several times so for example if I have

to uh talk about agile methodology then

in aile methodology every single Sprint

will have a test progress report at the

end of it whereas collection of Sprints

which is a release may have a test

summary report now also to add test

summary report in many organizations are

also called as test completion report

and not these reports are very very

standardized however I E and other

standards do have a template for it if

you want you can refer them but

organizations have the complete freedom

to Define based on your store

stakeholder and business needs that what

should be the content of your reports so

let's quickly have a look on what

exactly the test progress report would

consist of and then we'll talk about the

test completion as well so number one

when we talk about test reporting is

basically summarizes and communicates

the test information during and after

the testing the test progress reports

support the ongoing control of the

testing and must provide enough

information to make modification to the

test schedule resources or test plan

when such changes are needed due to

deviations from the plan or change

circumstances the test completion report

however summarizes a specific stage of

testing which includes can be for test

level test cycle or a particular

iteration or maybe uh entire release or

even a project and can give information

for subsequent testing which is being

plann for the upcoming Cycles during

test monitoring and control the test

team generates test progress reports for

stakeholders to keep them informed the

test progress reports are usually

generated on regular basis which can be

daily weekly Etc and can include the

following that is the test period the

duration what you're talking about the

test progress made so far like are you

ahead of the schedule on schedule or

behind the schedule including any

notable deviations impediments for

testing and their work around which is

more of like the blockers what you may

have on the way and what exactly did you

do in order to overcome that or what are

the workarounds referred for it also to

add test matrices of different things be

it about test cases be about defects

risk coverage you must include all the

measurements what you have done during

that particular period to let everyone

understand what exactly the progress you

have made so far and also to talk about

the new and change risk within the

testing period as we discussed in our

previous uh segment 5.2 that risks are

not something which can be only analyzed

once in the beginning of the project

down the line it is a consistent

activity to keep an eye on emerging risk

as the product evolves thus you may talk

about all those risk which might have

involved uh over a period of time and

include them into the test report as

well and finally we do include testing

plan for the next period which means it

is a test progress report so you might

be talking only about the Sprint one

completion but at the same time you can

reflect that what are your plan of

actions or plan of testing for the

Sprint too so on a very high level test

progress reports provides all that

information what someone might be

interested in for that particular period

what you have performed so far okay and

similarly it will have more information

for test completion report so just let's

have a look on it well when it comes to

test completion report as we told you

it's more of like a bigger Milestone

compared to that of test progress report

or could be done even at the end of the

project or end of the release as well so

here the test completion report is

prepared during test completion when a

project test level or test type is

complete and when ideally its exit

criteria have met also this report uses

test progress reports and other data now

typical test completion reports include

the test summary altogether about that

particular long duration then testing

and product quality evaluation based on

the original test plan that means how

much how many objectives what you

defined has been met or how many exit

criterias were actually fulfilled or

have you really fulfilled all the exit

criterias or not

also to add here deviation from the test

plan if any which can be related to

differences from the plan schedule

duration effort cost Etc testing

impediments and work around which is

same as that of the test progress report

same way the matrices based on progress

reports unmitigated risk now the element

changes here because we spoke about

emerging risk in the test progress

report but in completion report as we

are completing a project or maybe a

release we are talking about the risk

which we could not mitigate and also to

add the defects which were not fixed the

defects not fixed are in simple words

those defect which remain unresolved or

we declare them as known defects and we

look forward to fix them later in

upcoming versions or maintenance so

that's where these things will also be

identified or listed as a part of the

test completion report plus when we come

to lessons learned that are relevant to

testing uh this could be a little

controversial to discuss because not

everyone really declares that what

Improvement ments we made or what kind

of mistakes we have done so not

generally can be a part of it but in

order to Showcase that how you have

matured yourself during this project in

order to improve the quality certainly

you can involve that into your test

completion report so not all the silly

mistakes what you have performed but the

things what helps you grow into your own

industry can certainly be specified as a

part of test completion this also

encourages the business to come back to

you and help you to get another project

or work continuously with you so test

completion report certainly consists of

all this information but on top of it

what is the purpose and what are your

stakeholders decisions when it comes to

reports so when it comes to the

stakeholders of course different

audience require different information

in the reports and influences the degree

of formality and the frequency of

reporting so in simple words the

frequency that means how frequently the

report must be created will be defined

by your target audience and the level of

formal

like would they need high level

information or detailed information or

maybe just graphical is enough or you

need data table also to be presented so

the level of detail will also be

recognized by your expected stakeholders

or audience itself also reporting uh on

test progress to others in the same team

is often frequent and informal while

reporting on testing for a completed

project follows a set of template and

occurs only once that final line

completely justifies that progress

reports are done periodically again and

again whereas when it comes to the test

completion report it's very detailed or

has more information than test progress

report but is created only once at the

end of the project so far we understood

about how what are the different types

of reports but now we'll understand what

are the ways of communicating these

reports to other stakeholders so of

course when it comes to Agile

methodology or when it comes to other

traditional models today we are using

wide variety of options in order to

share our state status update or let

other people know how exactly are we

progressing and that's where the

communication of test report becomes

very crucial so here we are using a

blended approach of agile versus

traditional to let you answer that what

could be the possible ways as of today

in the market for a testing team to

communicate their status and the set of

reports what they may have and that's

where we are looking at some of these

option so when it comes to the best

means of communicating test status they

varies depending on the test management

concern

organizational test strategies

regulatory standards or in the case of

self-organizing teams on the team itself

that means these are all those factors

what we may need to discuss in order to

Define how exactly the reports will be

communicated to the other stakeholders

but we do have some of the very commonly

recognized options and the options are

verbal communication with team members

and other stakeholders which are more of

like standup calls which we can make use

of and uh daily meetups catch-ups on

different topics or different calls

could be called as this option whereas

dashboards which includes the cicd

dashboard the taskboard the burndown

chart so if you talk about making use of

tools like jeta you may certainly have a

dashboard of different reports put

together or you can have a task board

which is more of like a scrum board or

Canon board to update your day-to-day

work and also if you talk about the

reporting things like burnd down chart

velocity Sprint report Etc could be a

very very very well option to

communicate Your Daily Progress to the

team and next one here is elect

electronic communication channels like

email and chats or if you talk about

things like zoom and teams where we

communicate together so even instant

messaging like chatting like slack

option is a part of this particular

segment plus when we come to online

documentation we are talking about the

vys vys in the sense we are talking

about things like SharePoint uh one

drive or even Confluence is one of the

under this category plus we do have

formal test reports away from all these

options if you want you can just draft a

PPT presentation and just publish it

through an email communication to all

your stakeholders and write formal test

reports so it's not necessary to use any

one of these you can even combine them

together to make use of it as a blended

approach to be used within your testing

life cycle and that's what the point is

trying to say the point says here that

one or more of these option can be used

more formal communication

may be more appropriate for distributed

teams where direct face-to-face

communication is not always possible due

to geographical distribution or time

differences typically different

stakeholders are interested in different

types of

information so communication should be

tailored accordingly one final thing to

talk about that again the stakeholders

may vary and depending on their needs we

must customize a reports accordingly and

we must really look forward to have more

formal reports when you're are working

with distributed team team because when

you have face Toof face communication we

understand a high level input could also

be very easy to understand but when

people are not face Toof face working

together the written communication

becomes the mode of communication so it

should be very crucial to take into

account that how exactly you are

managing your reports put together

that's all what we had from the test

monitoring control and completion and

the different test reports that's uh

hope you have understood all the thing

what you really wanted to know 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

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