How to Write Test Cases for Manual Testing
With these detailed instructions, learn the craft of creating powerful test cases for manual testing! Learn the fundamentals of test case creation, the best practices, and how to ensure complete test coverage. This manual will prepare you to develop deterministic test cases that produce trustworthy results in manual testing, whether you’re a novice or an expert tester wishing to hone your abilities.
How Should Test Cases Be Written for Manual Testing?
Software programs, products, and systems can be tested manually using only a few tools or, in certain cases, no tools at all. This blog will give an overview of the principles of creating successful test cases for manual testing, as well as important advice and suggestions. Making effective test scenarios requires:
- cautious preparation,
- detail-oriented approach, and
- a thorough understanding of the testing software.
But don’t worry, you can save time and effort and improve testing efficiency with a well-designed test case.
Describe a test case.
A test case is a predetermined set of circumstances or parameters in which a tester will assess whether a software system, application, or one of its features is functioning properly or not. A test case seeks to verify the precision, thoroughness, and dependability of software features. Typically, a test case has the information below:
- instance ID,
- case study description
- steps to take,
- anticipated outcomes,
- pass-fail standards, and
- a test case’s current state.
Correct and erroneous outcomes should be distinguished by a successful test case, and any unexpected results should be reported as a bug. Test cases serve as the foundation for thoroughly testing a system, which improves the system’s dependability and quality by revealing errors or flaws.
What do Manual Test Cases entail?
I am able to state that “Manual testing is a good old-fashioned human instinct and attention to detail.” Software must be tested manually, without the use of any automated tools, during manual testing. You might prepare test cases in advance to execute this testing. Manual test cases are what these test cases are known as. Examples of manual test cases include the following:
- confirming the login page’s functionality,
- checking to see if the right information is presented on the search results page,
- Before submitting, make sure the registration form is accurate.
- Validating the order process and putting the shopping cart through its paces.
Testers can better comprehend and perform manual test cases since they are written in a clear and exact manner.
A step-by-step method for writing test cases
If I had to sum up how to construct a manual test case in just two lines, it would be as follows: 1. Decide whatever capability or feature you want to test. 2. To verify the functionality, compile a series of test cases that specify particular behaviours. Let’s look at the specific procedures for writing test cases.
Test Case ID in Step 1:
The tester will give the test case a distinctive identity in this phase. This makes it simple for the tester to remember and recognize the test case in the future.
Example: TC-01: Verify a User’s Login Functionality
Step 2: Test Case Description
The tester will outline the test case’s purpose in this step. Additionally, the tester might give a quick summary of the desired behaviour. An instance Case Study Description Test the application’s login process. A legitimate username and password for the web application are provided. When: The user logs in using their username and password. The user should thereafter be able to successfully log into the program at that point. The application’s home page ought to be visible.
Step 3 – Pre-Conditions:
The tester will list any prerequisites that must exist before the test case can be successfully executed. Initial configuration options or manually running certain earlier tests might be included. The test environment must be configured to be identical to the production environment, including the same hardware, operating system, and software. This is an example of a precondition in testing.
Step 4: Test Procedures
The steps needed to carry out the test case in detail will be documented by the tester. Choosing the test’s course of action and potential data inputs are included in this.
An example of a login test step would be:
- Start the test login application.
- Fill up the required fields with an accurate username and password.
- Select ‘Login’ from the menu.
- Confirm that the user has logged in successfully.
- Log out and verify that the user has left the system.
Step 5: Test Results
Any necessary test data will be defined by the tester. For instance, test data would consist of a list of wrong usernames and passwords if the test case needed to verify that login fails due to invalid credentials.
Step 6 – Expected Result:
The tester will present the test’s anticipated outcome. The tester is trying to confirm this outcome. Examples of expected results definition:
- A user must be able to click the login button after entering a legitimate username and password.
- The program must verify the user’s credentials and authorise entry to the program.
- Press the login button to prevent the invalid user from entering the correct username and password.
- The user’s credentials should be rejected by the application, which should then show the relevant error message.
Step 7 – Post Condition:
Any cleanup required following the execution of the test case will be provided by the tester. Reverting settings or clearing out files that were created during the test case are examples of this. Example:
- After entering legitimate credentials, the user can log in.
- The user is presented with the necessary error message following the provision of erroneous credentials.
- For subsequent logins, the user’s credentials are safely kept.
- Following a successful login, the user is directed to the appropriate page.
- Without logging in, the user cannot access the website.
- User data is not subject to unauthorised access.
Step 8: The final outcome:
The tester will record the test’s real outcome. The outcome of the test, as seen by the tester, is this. The user is successfully signed in and is shown the welcome page after providing the right username and password.
9th Step – Status
The tester will give an update on the test’s progress. The test is regarded to have been successful if the expected and actual results matched. The test is said to have failed if they do not match.
Example: Verified the functionality of a valid login. The user can log in using legitimate credentials as a result. Overall Test Result: All test phases were completed successfully, and the desired outcomes were obtained. The login tool is operating as intended.
The functionality for Invalid Login was tested. As a result, the user’s attempted login is unsuccessful. Overall Test Result: The functionality for invalid login has been examined and found to function as anticipated.
Write good test cases using the best practices.
There are some best practices that should be adhered to while developing effective test cases.
- Determine the test case’s objective and the specifics of what has to be tested first.
- The test case must then be written in clear, succinct language and include detailed instructions for each action that must be completed. In order to ensure complete testing, it’s also crucial to take into account all potential outcomes and edge situations.
- Maintaining structure and order inside your testing process by designing a logical flow of tests covering various parts of the tested system is another crucial factor.
- Last but not least, it is usually advised to periodically examine and improve your test cases to preserve their quality over time.
Advantages of producing top-notch test cases
Hey, did you realise it’s critical to create solid test cases? It contributes to the high quality of software components. And good test cases are helpful in a variety of ways!
Let me focus on a few crucial details in this case:
- Accurately Identify Issues: Effective test cases guarantee that the program is thoroughly examined and that any problems or bugs are correctly located.
- Increases test coverage: Test cases can evaluate several facets of a software good or service, giving the product thorough evaluation coverage. This enables any flaws or other problems with the program to be found and fixed before it is made available to the general public.
- Improves software quality: By identifying flaws and improving the general dependability and quality of the software before its release, the cost and time required for fixes and upgrades can be significantly decreased.
- Enhances stakeholder collaboration: Good test cases allow for better information and resource sharing because stakeholders are better able to comprehend the tests’ goals. As a result, testing and creating better products is encouraged across the whole software development life cycle.
- Enhances user experience: By evaluating the user experience and usability elements of the product, high-quality test cases can improve end users’ experiences. This contributes to ensuring user satisfaction, which is crucial for the software’s success.
Examples of Manual Testing Test Cases
Here are a few instances of manual testing that you may quickly comprehend:
- 1. Login Page:
Assume a login page for a program like Gmail.
Test Case 1: Confirm that users may enter their username and password on the application.
Case 2: Confirm that the program accurately validates the proper credentials.
Test Case 3: Confirm that when the wrong credentials are entered, the application shows an error message.
- Search Capabilities:
Google probably searches for this, I suppose.
Test Case 1: Confirm that users may do a database search for particular records.
Test Case 2: Confirm that the program successfully shows the search results.
Test Case 3: Confirm that when no matches are found, the program shows an error message.
- Uploading Files:
We can assume that a résumé has been uploaded to a job site like Monster or LinkedIn.
Test Case 1: Confirm that users can upload the appropriate file format.
Test Case 2: Confirm that the program prevents users from uploading harmful file formats.
Test Case 3: Confirm that when the limit file size is exceeded, the program shows an error message.
Functional test cases, regression test cases, integration test cases, system test cases, GUI test cases, security test cases, usability test cases, performance test cases, compatibility test cases, and acceptance test cases are the various categories of manual testing test cases.
Conclusion
Learn Manual Testing In Software Testing Explore Manual Testing Techniques with GroTechMinds: Learn the art of manual testing in software testing and understand the synergy between manual and automation testing. Our comprehensive guide on ‘How to Write Test Cases for Manual Testing’ will equip you with the skills you need to excel in the world of software quality assurance.
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