How to Write a Software Test Plan

A software test plan is one of the most critical documents in the QA process. It defines the testing scope, approach, resources, timelines, and success criteria before executing a single test. 

More than just a document, it acts as a roadmap for the QA team and provides structure to the entire testing process. It gives the QA team a clear direction, defines objectives, and outlines key metrics to measure testing performance.

This approach defines clear test methods and benchmarks to improve software quality, track progress effectively, and speed up test execution.

Let’s suppose the plan already states when to perform sanity or smoke testing. The QA team can immediately get to work after the software build is available for testing rather than wasting time figuring out what needs to be done.

While we have already explained how to write a QA test plan in another article, this one focuses on how to write a software test plan that is both practical and effective. 

We’ll walk through a step-by-step approach to defining scope, test criteria, resource allocation, platforms, devices, test data, and bug management. You’ll also get access to a simple test plan template and a real-world example to help you build your own.

Table of Contents

How to Write a Software Test Plan

A well-structured test plan acts as a blueprint for your entire QA process. It defines what needs to be tested, how it will be tested, who will do it, and the conditions for starting and ending the testing process. 

Ultimately, thorough test planning leads to a higher-quality product and a more successful software release.

Let’s now examine how to create a practical, detailed software test plan that meets your project’s needs.

Step 1: Define the Scope of Testing

The first step is to clearly define the scope of your testing activities. This includes what will be tested, what won’t be tested, and any constraints you need to consider. 

The scope should align with the release goals and focus on areas impacted by recent changes. It should also reflect business priorities and user expectations.

List the specific modules, features, or functionality that will be tested in this cycle. Also, mention what’s out of scope—such as platforms, devices, or features not ready for QA. 

For example, if you’re testing a mobile app update, the scope might include login, profile management, and smartphone notifications, but exclude tablet testing or unrelated features.

Step 2: Set the Test Criteria

Test criteria help you define the conditions for starting and ending testing. These criteria ensure that testing begins only when the system is ready and ends only when the required quality standards are met.

Start with entry criteria, which might include making a stable build available, setting up test environments, writing and reviewing test cases, and preparing test data. 

For example, before testing a new checkout feature, ensure all required endpoints are functioning, test accounts are available, and the build is free of critical blockers.

Next, define exit criteria. These might include completing all planned test cases, resolving critical and high-severity bugs, achieving performance benchmarks, and getting sign-off from key stakeholders. 

Exit criteria ensure testing ends only when the software is reliable enough for release.

Step 3: Allocate Resources

Testing resources are not just about numbers—they’re about assigning the right people to the right tasks. Allocate resources based on feature complexity, tester experience, and deadlines. 

Experienced testers with strong domain knowledge can identify issues faster and understand how new features may affect existing workflows.

Assign testers to features they’ve worked on before or that require specific product knowledge. 

Make sure you have coverage for exploratory, functional, and regression testing. If test automation is part of the plan, clarify who handles it and how it fits into the timeline.

Step 4: Choose Testing Platforms

Your testing platform should reflect real-world usage. For mobile apps, this means testing across major operating systems (iOS and Android) and versions that your users commonly run. 

For web apps, focus on popular browser and OS combinations. Example platforms to include might be:

  • Android 13 on Samsung Galaxy S21
  • iOS 17 on iPhone 13
  • Chrome on Windows 11
  • Safari on macOS Ventura

If your users access the app on multiple browsers or devices, you must perform cross-platform and cross-browser testing.

This step ensures broader coverage and reduces the chances of post-release issues.

Step 5: Select Testing Devices

Good device coverage is crucial to maintaining high software quality. Therefore, device selection should match your user base. 

Include a variety of devices based on popularity, hardware capabilities, screen sizes, and network conditions. This helps simulate real user scenarios.

You should include:

  • Recent and widely used flagship models
  • Devices with older hardware to catch performance issues
  • Devices using different network types (e.g., Wi-Fi, 4G, 5G)
  • Different OS versions within your support range

It is helpful to create a test matrix containing the device, OS, and intended use case for tracking coverage and organizing test runs.

Step 6: Write Test Cases

Writing test cases is by far the most time-consuming part of creating a test plan in software testing, yet they are crucial for executing a successful test run. 

Test cases break down features into individual checks and clearly define how each part of the product will be tested.

Each test case should include:

  • A short description of what is being tested
  • Preconditions or setup required
  • A list of steps to follow
  • The expected outcome
  • Pass/fail criteria
  • Priority level

For example, a test case for a login feature might include entering a valid username and password to confirm successful login. 

Another case could involve submitting an incorrect password and verifying that an error message appears.

Update existing test cases from earlier test cycles. Reusing is fine, but not without reviewing them for relevance.

Step 7: Create Test Data

Test data should be prepared in advance to avoid execution delays. Some data might be static, while others may require special access or dynamic generation. You may want to consider:

  • Creating user accounts, tokens, or records needed for different test cases
  • Tagging data as reusable, disposable, or session-based
  • Ensuring sensitive data is handled securely and access is restricted
  • Aligning data with test cases for easy reference during execution

Example data: valid user login, expired sessions, invalid credentials, a user with edge-case conditions (e.g., 1000 transactions). Also, document where and how to access test data.

Step 8: Set Up Bug Logging

Your plan should describe how bugs will be reported and managed. Choose a bug tracking tool that supports attachments, filtering, and integration with your dev process.

Each report must provide relevant information for successful bug reporting to help engineering teams reproduce and diagnose the issues.

Each bug report should include:

  • A clear title and detailed description
  • Steps to reproduce
  • Expected vs. actual behavior
  • Screenshots or logs
  • App version and platform details
  • Severity and priority levels

Train the team on consistent logging practices and define a review process to triage and assign bugs quickly.

Step 9: Validate Bugs

Bug validation is the process of confirming that reported issues are fixed and that fixes haven’t introduced new problems. Make sure you have the time and resources to complete this step.

Start by re-executing the test case on the original configuration. Then, test the same scenario on similar platforms to check if the issue occurs elsewhere. In this way, you can determine whether the problem was isolated or widespread.

For example, if a UI bug occurred on an iPhone 13, test it on iPhone 12 and SE as well. If the fix holds across devices, close the issue. If not, escalate accordingly.

Step 10: Deliver Feedback

Beyond bug reports, testers often spot usability problems, unclear messages, or design inconsistencies. This feedback can help shape the product beyond simple pass/fail checks.

Include a section in your plan where testers can document observations during test runs.

You can ask for feedback on things like:

  • Confusing workflows
  • UI layout inconsistencies
  • Performance hiccups
  • Suggestions for improving testability

After testing is complete, organize feedback by module or sprint to share with product and design teams.

Step 11: Plan for Risks and Recovery

Include a section for handling risks that may interrupt testing. These could be unstable builds, missing environments, incomplete features, or unclear requirements.

List possible risks and guide what to do if testing is delayed or blocked. Define conditions for pausing or resuming QA activity (suspension and resumption criteria).

Example:

  • Suspend testing if the build crashes on all test devices
  • Resume only after a hotfix is applied and verified by two testers

Step 12: Review the Plan with Stakeholders

Once your test plan draft is ready, review it with the QA team, developers, and product owners. This ensures alignment on scope, timelines, and priorities. 

Walk through each section and adjust based on feedback. The final plan should be stored in a shared workspace like GitBook, Confluence, or Google Drive. It should be version-controlled and easy to access.

This final review step avoids misunderstandings and creates shared accountability across teams.

Here’s a Simple Test Plan Template

Use this template as a starting point for writing your own software test plan. It outlines all the essential sections you need—from project overview and objectives to test cases and risk management.

Section Details
Project Overview – Project Name:
– Module Under Test:
– Test Plan Owner:
– Sprint / Cycle:
– Date Created:
– Last Updated:
Objectives – What is being tested and why?
– What should testing achieve in this cycle?
Scope of Testing Included:
– List of features
– Platforms/devices
– Test types
Excluded:
– Out-of-scope items
– Known limitations
Test Criteria Entry Criteria:
– [Conditions to begin testing]
Exit Criteria:
– [Conditions to end testing]
Suspension Criteria:
– [When to pause testing]
Resumption Criteria:
– [When to resume testing]
Resource Allocation Testers Assigned:
– Name – Area
– Name – Tasks
Support Contacts:
– Dev, QA lead, etc.
Testing Platforms Platforms to Test:
– OS versions, browsers
– Cloud/staging/test environments
Testing Devices Devices to Test:
– Device Model – OS – Use Case / Priority
Test Cases Fields:
– Test Case ID
– Title
– Preconditions
– Steps
– Expected Result
– Priority
– Status (To Do / In Progress / Passed / Failed)
Test Data – Required data sets
– Credentials / API keys
– Reuse & cleanup guidelines
– Sensitive data handling
Bug Reporting Tool Used: [e.g., Jira]
Required Info:
– Summary
– Repro steps
– Logs/screenshots
– Platform/version
– Severity & Priority
Bug Reviewer: [Name or team]
Bug Validation – Who validates fixed bugs
– Retest scope (same device / similar platforms)
– Criteria to close the bug
Feedback Collection – Where/how to submit tester feedback
– What types of feedback to include (usability, performance, etc.)
– Who reviews it
Risk and Mitigation – Known risks (e.g., unstable build, blocked features)
– Mitigation steps or workarounds
Review and Approval Stakeholders Involved:
– QA Lead
– Developer
– Product Owner
Review Date and Final Notes: [Decisions, comments, or updates]

Simple Test Plan Example

To make the process even clearer, here’s a real-world example of a completed software test plan based on the LearnSmart platform. 

This example follows the structure of the template and shows how each section is filled out in a practical testing scenario.

Project Overview

  • Project Name: LearnSmart
  • Module Under Test: Student Progress Dashboard
  • Test Plan Owner: Alice
  • Sprint / Cycle: Sprint 18
  • Date Created: April 4, 2025
  • Last Updated: April 4, 2025

Objectives

This test cycle ensures that the Student Progress Dashboard is working as expected. This includes accurate data display, proper chart rendering, and consistent device experience.

By the end of testing:

  • Students should see the correct GPA and subject performance.
  • The dashboard should load properly on both desktop and mobile.
  • There should be no major bugs affecting user flow or data accuracy.

Scope of Testing

This cycle includes testing of dashboard charts (GPA, subjects, progress tracking), both desktop and mobile views, and cross-browser compatibility with Chrome, Safari, and Firefox.

The scope covers functional, UI, and regression testing. However, the scope excludes testing of admin dashboards, billing modules, and tablet layouts.

Test Criteria

To maintain testing discipline, the following criteria apply:

Entry Criteria:

  • The latest build must be deployed to the staging environment
  • Validated test data must be available
  • All testers should have access to the necessary credentials and test tools

Exit Criteria:

  • All high and medium-priority test cases must pass
  • No open critical or blocker-level bugs
  • QA sign-off by Alice

Suspension Criteria:

  • The dashboard fails to load on key platforms (e.g., iOS, Android, Windows)
  • Backend issues prevent chart data from loading or cause errors

Resumption Criteria:

  • Blocker bugs are fixed and verified
  • A stable, updated build is deployed to staging

Resource Allocation

Three testers are assigned to this cycle: Bob handles web testing on Windows and macOS, Eve covers mobile testing on iOS and Android, and Alice manages regression testing and overall coordination. 

Support contacts include Charlie (Frontend Developer), Alice (QA Lead), and Diana (Product Manager).

Testing Platforms

The dashboard must function well across all supported operating systems and browsers.

The staging environment is pre-configured with seeded test accounts and an API sandbox to support mock data testing. The table below outlines the supported platforms:

Category Details
Operating Systems Windows 11, macOS Ventura, Android 13–14, iOS 16–17
Browsers Chrome (latest), Safari (latest), Firefox (latest)
Environment Staging with seeded test accounts; API sandbox for mock data

Testing Devices

Device OS Use Case / Priority
iPhone 13 iOS 17 iOS testing – High priority
Pixel 6 Android 14 Android testing – High priority
MacBook Air macOS Ventura Safari browser testing – Medium
Dell Laptop Windows 11 Chrome/Firefox – Medium

Test Cases

Each test case includes a unique ID, a title, preconditions, execution steps, and expected results. Testers also track priority and status (To Do, In Progress, Passed, Failed).

Example Test Case:

  • ID: TC-101
  • Title: Validate GPA chart values
  • Precondition: Logged-in student with academic records
  • Steps: Open dashboard → Select semester → View GPA chart
  • Expected Result: GPA chart displays accurate data
  • Priority: High
  • Status: In Progress

Test Data

The test requires a variety of student accounts representing different performance levels, valid login credentials, and designated test emails for edge-case validation. Test accounts will be reused across devices, with daily resets to maintain consistency. Sensitive data will be stored securely and never shared in public documentation.

Bug Reporting

Jira is the primary tool for bug tracking. All reported bugs must include:

  • Issue Summary
  • Steps to Reproduce
  • Expected vs Actual Result
  • Screenshot or video
  • Device/browser info
  • Severity and Priority

Bugs are reviewed by Alice (QA Lead).

Bug Validation

Once fixed, bugs go through a two-step validation process:

  • The original tester retests the fix
  • High-priority bugs are retested on a second device
  • A bug is only marked “Closed” after confirming the issue is gone and no regressions were introduced

Feedback Collection

Feedback is collected outside the regular test case tracking and includes UI/UX suggestions and performance notes. Several methods are available:

  • Use the shared Google Doc: “Sprint 18 Feedback – LearnSmart”
  • Add UI/UX suggestions and performance observations daily
  • QA Lead and Product Manager review feedback every Friday

Risk and Mitigation

Known risks in this cycle include backend sync delays, chart rendering problems in Safari, and limited access to test devices. 

To mitigate these issues, the team will use mock API responses, conduct early compatibility checks on Safari, and pre-schedule mobile device usage to ensure full test coverage.

Review and Approval

The test plan has been reviewed and approved by all key stakeholders: Alice (QA Lead), Charlie (Developer), and Diana (Product Manager). 

The review was completed on April 4, 2025. Daily progress updates will be posted in the Slack QA channel, with special focus on mobile performance throughout the cycle.

Prioritize Your Test Planning Efforts

A thoughtfully designed QA test plan is essential for ensuring thorough and effective testing, enhancing the quality and success of your software release. 

By clearly defining the scope, setting precise criteria, selecting the right platforms and devices, and writing detailed test cases, you can markedly improve your final product’s robustness, reliability, and market readiness.

To further refine your testing process and deliver exceptional software, consider partnering with Testlio, a leader in QA software testing. 

Visit Testlio to learn more about how our tailored solutions can elevate your software quality.