7.3. Test Procedure Design

After test requirements have been derived, test procedure design can begin. Test procedure definition consists of the definition of logical groups of test procedures and a naming convention for the suite of test procedures. With a test procedure definition in place, each test procedure is then identified as either an automated or a manual test. The test team now has an understanding of the number of test techniques being employed, an estimate for the total number of test procedures that will be required, and estimates of the number of test procedures that will be performed manually as well as those that will be performed with an automated test tool.

The next step in the test procedure design process, as depicted in Table 7.10, is to identify the more sophisticated test procedures that must be defined further as part of detailed test design. These test procedures are flagged, and a detailed design document is prepared in support of the more sophisticated test procedures. Next, test data requirements are mapped to the defined test procedures. To create a repeatable, reusable process for producing test procedures, the test team needs to create a document that outlines test procedure design standards. Only when these standards are followed can the automated test program achieve real efficiency and success by being repeatable and maintainable.