Testing Standards
Definition
Testing Standards are formally documented guidelines, processes, and best practices that define how testing should be conducted, documented, and evaluated — ensuring consistency, quality, and compliance across projects and organizations.
Major Testing Standards
1. IEEE 829 — Standard for Software Test Documentation
Defines the structure of key testing documents:
- Test Plan — overall strategy, scope, resources, schedule
- Test Design Specification — details of what will be tested, and how
- Test Case Specification — individual test cases (inputs, expected outputs)
- Test Procedure Specification — steps to execute tests
- Test Log — record of test execution
- Test Incident Report — record of defects/anomalies found
- Test Summary Report — overall summary of testing results
2. ISO/IEC/IEEE 29119 — Software Testing Standard
A more comprehensive, modern standard (supersedes much of IEEE 829), covering:
- Testing concepts and definitions
- Test processes (organizational, project-level, dynamic test processes)
- Test documentation templates
- Test techniques (black-box, white-box, experience-based)
3. ISO/IEC 25010 (SQuaRE) — Software Quality Model
Defines quality characteristics used as a basis for evaluating software (and by extension, what testing should verify):
- Functional Suitability, Performance Efficiency, Compatibility, Usability, Reliability, Security, Maintainability, Portability
4. CMMI (Capability Maturity Model Integration)
Not testing-specific, but includes process maturity levels that govern how disciplined an organization's testing (and overall SDLC) process is
Why Testing Standards Matter
- Ensure consistency across teams/projects/organizations
- Provide legal/contractual basis for what "adequate testing" means
- Improve communication — standardized documents are understood industry-wide
- Support certification/compliance requirements in regulated industries (healthcare, aviation, finance)
Key Documents from IEEE 829 (Most Testable)
| Document | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Test Plan | What, how, when testing will happen |
| Test Case Specification | Specific inputs/expected outputs |
| Test Log | What was actually executed and when |
| Test Summary Report | Final overview of testing outcomes |
Exam tip: Know IEEE 829 by name and be able to list at least 3-4 of its document types (Test Plan, Test Case Specification, Test Log, Test Summary Report) — the most frequently tested specific standard in this topic.