How do you update and maintain test cases to reflect changing requirements and feedback?

2 Follow the test plan and test strategy

A test plan and a test strategy are important documents that guide the test execution process. They define the scope, objectives, approach, resources, and schedule of testing. They also specify the test environment, test data, test tools, test techniques, and test metrics. You should follow the test plan and test strategy closely and execute the test cases according to the priority, risk, and dependency. You should also adhere to the quality standards, testing policies, and testing procedures defined in the test plan and test strategy.

3 Document test results and test evidence

As you execute the test cases, you should document the test results and test evidence clearly and consistently. You should record the test case ID, test case name, test case description, test case status, test case outcome, test case date, test case time, test case duration, test case defects, and test case comments. You should also capture the test evidence, such as screenshots, logs, videos, or reports, that support the test results and test outcomes. You should store the test results and test evidence in a secure and accessible location, such as a test management tool, a test repository, or a test report.

4 Communicate test progress and test issues

Communication is key for successful test execution. You should communicate the test progress and test issues regularly and effectively with the relevant stakeholders, such as the test manager, the test team, the developers, the business analysts, and the clients. You should use the appropriate communication channels, such as email, chat, phone, or meetings, to share the test status, test summary, test metrics, test defects, test risks, and test feedback. You should also escalate any test issues or test blockers that prevent you from executing the test cases or achieving the test objectives.

5 Retest and regression test

After you execute the test cases, you may need to retest and regression test the software product. Retesting is the process of verifying that the defects found during the test execution have been fixed and resolved. Regression testing is the process of checking that the changes made to the software product have not introduced any new defects or affected any existing functionality. You should retest and regression test the software product using the updated test cases, test data, and test tools. You should also document the retest and regression test results and test evidence.

6 Review and improve test cases

The last step of test case execution is to review and improve the test cases. You should evaluate the test cases based on the test results, test evidence, test feedback, and test metrics. You should identify the strengths and weaknesses of the test cases, such as the test coverage, test quality, test efficiency, test effectiveness, and test maintainability. You should also look for the opportunities and areas for improvement, such as the test design, test structure, test format, test language, and test automation. You should then update and optimize the test cases accordingly or suggest any changes or enhancements to the test manager.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?