Difference Between test Strategy and Test Planning

Test Strategy:  test strategy is an outline that describes the testing approach of the software development cycle. please read the sentence very carefully, it means Test Strategy document is high level document about the testing approach for the software as a whole.

Test plan:  A test plan  defines the strategy that will be used to verify and ensure that aproduct or system meets its design specifications and other requirements. It more towards functionality of the software under test.

from above definitions it very clear that Test Strategy document define the strategy about approach of the testing, like which tools we will used, what is scope of testing for whole project/product, Testing measurements and metrics , Defect reporting and tracking etc where as Test plan talks about the strategy to test the specific functionality of the software like Features to be tested , Features which no need to test,Suspension criteria, pass fail criteria for the feature and not for the whole software.

Due to small project, many companies try to combine test plan and test strategy, some company creates Master test plan document.

Components of the Test Strategy document

• Scope and Objectives
• Business issues
• Roles and responsibilities
• Communication and status reporting
• Test deliverable
• Industry standards to follow
• Test automation and tools
• Testing measurements and metrics
• Risks and mitigation
• Defect reporting and tracking
• Change and configuration management
• Training plan

Components of the Test Plan document

• Test Plan id
• Introduction
• Test items
• Features to be tested
• Features not to be tested
• Test techniques
• Testing tasks
• Suspension criteria
• Features pass or fail criteria
• Test environment (Entry criteria, Exit criteria)
• Test delivarables
• Staff and training needs
• Responsibilities
• Schedule

Basic difference between Test Plan , Test Strategy and Test case

Test Plan: Test plan is a Document, developed by the Test Lead, which contains "What to Test","How to Test", "When to Test", "Who to Test". Test Strategy: Test Strategy is a Document, developed by the Project manager, which contains what type of technique to follow and which module to test. Test Scenario: A name given to Test Cases is called Test Scenario. These Test Scenario was deal bythe Test Enggineer. Test Cases:It is also document andit specifies a Testable condition to validate a functionality. These Test Cases are deal by the Test Enggneer Order of STLC: Test Strategy, Test Plan, Test Scenario, Test Cases.