6 Most Important Steps to Make Your Test Reports Even Better

Before diving into the recommendations on how to devise an effective test report, take a moment to examine the following examples and figure out which one best suits you as a recipient, project manager or member of a team.

Report 1:

Here are the modules that were examined:

• Module X: Login Page.
• Module Y: Main Page and Applicable Tabs.

Detected Bugs:

• Login page: Unauthorized characters can be input in the Username field.
• Login page: Software tends to crash when Cancel button is pressed after entering correct username and password data.
• Login Page: Typographical error in the tag of the Password field.
• Main page: Doesn’t load on Internet Explorer.
• Main page: Only half the page reloads when refreshing the page using the CTRL+F5 command.
• Main page: Home page reboots upon clicking the backward arrow.
• Main page: Typographical error in the Company Profile section.

Report 2:

Test Examination – September 12th, 2016

Software: XYZ

Examined Modules:

• X: Login Page
• Y: Main Page

Test case data:

• Attached, please find the detailed test case data used during examination.
• Apart from that, exploratory evaluation was also conducted.

Details of Issues Encountered:

Total detected bugs: 7

Significant issues: 2

• Login page: Software crashes upon clicking Cancel after entering accurate username and password information.
• Main page: Doesn’t load on Internet Explorer.

Serious bugs: 2

• Main page: Only half the page reloads when refreshing the page using the CTRL+F5 command.
• Main page: Home page reboots when the backward arrow is clicked.

Minor issues: 3

• Login page: Unauthorized characters can be input in the Username field.
• Login page: Typographical error in the Password field label.
• Main page: Typographical error within the Company Profile area.

Impediments:

The application testing failed due to crashing when executed on Opera browser.

Plan for the following day:

• Verification of bug corrections
• Assessment of Module Z

In my viewpoint, these exemplifications efficiently summarize all the points I wished to convey in this brief.

Recommended reading: => 12 Straightforward Steps Guide to Drafting an Efficient Test Summary Report

As a tester, you are not necessitated to always construct and transmit a testing report. However, an accomplished tester with years of expertise is anticipated to devise a productive test report. This report is potentially formative and decisive for your day and even your development team.

How does one formulate an effectual test report?

What should the structure of the test report appear as? Which aspects should be taken into account when composing the test report? How can one augment the productivity of a test report?

This comprehensive piece furnishes answers to all these questions.

#1) Comprehend your audience:

It’s essential to understand your audience who will obtain and depend on your testing report, along with recognizing the decisions that will be drawn from it.

The QA executive requires an in-depth review concerning what was tested and what was discovered. Meanwhile, the management hopes to see the general testing progression and coverage. There might be slight variations in the data residing in the test reports as relevant templates for different audiences.

#2) Furnish relevant data:

Various aspects impact the information contained within any test report. The specifics referred to in a testing report bank on the audience and their respective interests.

When furnishing specifics, refrain from including superfluous details and ensure to encompass pertinent information that’s comprehensible.

#3) Include a concise of the day’s accomplished duties and a schedule for tomorrow:

A test report should consistently incorporate two crucial segments: Finished Duties and Upcoming Duties.

Initiating the report with finished duties will offer the reader an apparent insight into the test report’s content. Moreover, referring future duties will enable higher-level management to assess the duty pipeline and apply necessary adjustments to the assigning of duties.

#4) Address any obstructions:

Any impediments encountered should always be incorporated in a testing report.

Referencing impediments enables the reader to ascertain why a specific task wasn’t completed along with the encountered issues. This also permits other team members to offer assistance if feasible. Referring impediments in reports also testifies to why specific tasks were left uncompleted.

#5) Edit and proofread:

Never hasten to submit the report. Always ensure to proofread your work at least once.

Upon proofreading, you may realize:

• The conveyed message or the method of communication wasn’t as expected.
• Addition of extra points was deemed necessary.
• A paragraph could alternatively be presented as bullet points for simpler readability and comprehension.
• Checking for typographical errors was neglected.
• Not all necessary recipients were incorporated in the email.
• Work on additional duties was expected.
• Providing an update on previous duties was essential.

Proofreading assists in resolving multiple issues instantaneously, hence its necessity.

#6) Constantly strive for improvement:

Always endeavor to enhance your test report for your audience. Hunt for better templates online, acquire feedback from your audience, go through other reports, and find out effective practices that may be employed in your testing report.

A concise and focused testing report will definitely prove to be beneficial to your auditory.

A Model Test Report Template

=> Download a Sample Test Summary Report:
Click here to download a model test report consisting of an exemplification.

Additional read: => How to Resourcefully Report Test Execution [Download Status Report Template]

Conclusion

In the end, a testing report should not be an extremely lengthened document including all data and abiding by a strict blueprint. Test reports will continually alter based on the latest formulations, transformations, and requirements.

While drafting a testing report, identify your readers, discern their requisites, and perpetually update the report until a manageable solution is achieved.

Additionally, maintain an acceptable report size by delivering reference documents such as test strategies, and employ an annexure for elongated details such as bug specifics.

A concise, readable, precise, flexible, and actionable test report is the ideal approach!

About the writer: This insightful article was penned by Bhumika M., a project coordinator possessing over a decade of software testing experience.

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