Artifact: Test Design |
This artifact describes the structural test elements, and the realizations of the test cases.
Domains: Test
Purpose
To enable testing of the already identified test targets.
Relationships
Roles | Responsible: Test Designer | Modified By: Test Designer
Tasks | Input To: Define Testability Elements Develop Test | Output From: Define Testability Elements
Description
Main Description | The Test Design incorporates all of the decisions regarding the test structural elements (and their collaborations) required to enable testing of the already identified targets. This work product drives the test implementation activities, and increases the testing focus during the design and implementation.
Brief Outline | For each target test item, all of the test mechanisms should be identified and described, and all of the test responsibilities have to be assigned to the appropriate test structural elements. For each significant test case, the design should specify how it is realized in terms of collaborating elements, using collaboration or sequence diagrams.
Tailoring
Impact of not having | If there is a high degree of complexity in the realization of a test case, not having this artifact might lead to: Poor implementation of the associated test scripts. Missed opportunities in terms of automation, as key test elements might be ignored. Hard to review and maintenance issues.
Reasons for not needing | This is an optional artifact. If there are no significant design decisions during the implementation of a test case, then there is no need to capture any information to facilitate the test scripts implementation. For a light variant, record the test design within the test case description.
Representation Options | UML Representation: Package. The level of formalism could be reduced in order to accommodate smaller or low-ceremony projects. This work product is often regarded as being included in the design model or in less formal environments with the associated test cases.
More Information
Guidelines | Test Design
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