Junior
What are the entry criteria in testing?
sobes.tech AI
Answer from AI
The actual set of conditions that must be met before starting testing a specific component, system, or test cycle. They define the readiness of the object under test for verification and serve as a kind of "pass". Violating entry criteria often leads to wasted time, ineffective testing, or false negatives/positives.
Examples of entry criteria:
- Test environment readiness: Installing necessary software, configuring databases, having test data.
- Build stability: The build must be successfully compiled, deployed, and pass basic sanity tests, if applicable.
- Documentation availability: Requirements, design specifications, test plans, user manuals should be accessible and up-to-date.
- Completion of previous activities: For example, successful completion of unit and integration testing (for the system testing phase).
- Absence of blockers: Critical defects preventing the start or continuation of testing are absent.
- Test team availability: The QA team should be assembled and ready to perform work.
Defining and agreeing on entry criteria occurs during the test planning phase and is part of the test strategy. This helps avoid testing of unready software, saves resources, and improves the overall quality of the testing process.