To deliver a high quality product communication is key. It is very important for developers, testers, managers, clients and every other stakeholder to collaborate so the project can be delivered on time and according to the customer’s requirements. But managers and stakeholders do not have enough time to get into the details of the projects they are managing. They set goals for their teams that need to be achieved in a particular time frame and expect results on time.
This is where daily testing reports come in. Testers and developers perform various tasks such as executing test cases, finding defects, discussing blocker issues, and much more. These tasks are logged into the report which is shared with the managers and the stakeholders. Reports can be shared daily, weekly or monthly depending on what is expected by the managers.
In this article we will try to understand what a testing status report is, the different kinds of testing statuses, report templates and the importance of testing status reports.
What is a Daily Status Report in Testing
A QA status report in testing is a daily summary of a software testing project’s testing operations, progress, and status. It gives a summary of:
- What has been completed
- What is being worked on
- Issues or challenges encountered
The Daily Status Report is a critical communication tool for keeping everyone on the software development team and stakeholders up to date on the status of testing. It aids in the early identification of concerns, allows for timely decision-making, and simplifies project administration.
What are Software Testing Status
It is important to understand what are different types of statuses. These statuses are used to track the progress of the testing and each has a specific meaning. Following are the different types of testing statuses:
Not Started
This indicates that a particular activity has not been started. There could be various reasons for it such as:
- Not being scheduled
- Resources not available
- Priority of the task low
In Progress
If the team is executing test cases and identifying any issues or bugs then “In Progress” status is used to show that the task is being worked on.
Completed
“Completed” is used to show that the task has been successfully completed. The team has executed all test cases and resolved all bugs found.
On Hold
This status shows that a task in the testing process has been paused or delayed. There could be multiple reasons for it such as:
- Waiting for additional resources
- Input from stakeholders
Failed
“Failed” represents that a particular test case has not met the expected result. The issue or the bug will be investigated and logged in the sheet so the developers will later fix it.
Passed
This status shows that the test case has met the expected result and is working according to the clients expectations.
Blocked
“Blocked” status represents that the task cannot proceed until a specific issue is resolved. There could be various reasons for that such as:
- Bug in the software
- Requirement that has not been met yet
What is a Daily Status Report Template for Testing
A simple template is used by everyone to maintain the test reports. This template can be changed according to the needs of the project. The goal is to create an accurate and easy to read daily status report. This template consists of the following headers:
- Project Name
- Date
- Testing Activities Conducted
- Status of Testing Activities
- Issues and Challenges
- Next Steps and Priorities
- Metrics and Trends
- Comments and Observations
- Attachments
Tools for Creating Testing Reports
There are many tools available that help us with test management. These tools help teams create professional test reports that are accurate and easy to understand. These test management tools have built in reporting capabilities. They allow users to manage each test case separately and provide a detailed report with graphical representations.
These features help testers and developers maintain each project’s trajectory separately. This makes it easier for managers and stakeholders to look at the progress of the project.
Testing Status Report: An Important Part of Software Testing
A testing status report is an important part of software testing. It provides insights into testing progress, highlights any concerns or dangers, and assists in ensuring that testing is on pace to accomplish project objectives. Creating a testing status report can be a much easier and more successful procedure if best practices and templates are followed.
Testing status reports are vital for software development projects as they offer valuable insights into the progress and status of testing activities. These reports promote transparency by keeping stakeholders informed about testing progress and challenges, fostering accountability among team members. They also facilitate early issue identification, enabling teams to address issues promptly and minimize their impact on project timelines and quality. Moreover, testing status reports support decision-making by providing decision-makers with the information needed to allocate resources, manage risks, and prioritize tasks effectively.
By promoting communication and collaboration among team members and stakeholders, these reports ensure alignment of efforts and facilitate stakeholder engagement. Testing status reports help monitor performance against predefined metrics and objectives, enabling teams to assess progress and identify areas for improvement. Overall, testing status reports serve as a crucial tool for project management, communication, and decision-making in software development projects.
