Intermediate⏱ 8 min read
How to Create a Test Plan
sign in to trackA test plan is not just a document — it is a thinking exercise that forces you to clarify scope, risks, resources, and approach before execution begins. The discipline of writing it reveals gaps and ambiguities that would otherwise emerge as surprises during testing.
◈Key Points
- Start with scope: list explicitly what IS and IS NOT in scope for testing.
- Define entry and exit criteria — clear, measurable conditions for when testing starts and ends.
- Identify risks and define mitigation strategies for each.
- Assign roles and responsibilities for every testing activity.
- Include a defect management plan: how bugs are reported, triaged, assigned, and closed.
⚡ Expert Pro Tip
Get stakeholder sign-off on the test plan before testing begins. A signed plan is your defence when someone asks why a feature wasn't tested — or why it was shipped with known defects.