esting is key to understanding what’s working and what’s not during software development. But do you ever feel like banging your head against a wall trying to figure out what to test? We’ve all been there – but test scenarios are one way of making it simpler.

What is a test scenario?

A test scenario is, in simple terms, a high-level description of a functionality or feature in software that needs to be tested. It describes a situation or use case that the software might face, and that you might need to test.

In some software, the term ‘scenario’ can mean different things. In Cucumber, for example, a scenario represents a single test case, while a scenario outline is used when you want to run the same scenario multiple times with different sets of data.

But more broadly speaking, test scenarios can be compared to user stories in software development. User stories describe a feature or functionality from the end user's perspective, helping to plan what the software needs to do – and similarly, test scenarios help to shape what features or functionality needs to be tested. If you already have user stories, you can even use them to shape your test scenarios.

A test scenario for an online banking app, for example, could be to confirm that users are able to log in. Or if you’re working on a task management app, your test scenario might be to check that users get notifications.

With us so far?

Test scenario vs test case

While these terms can have different meanings in automated testing, when it comes to manual testing, a test scenario shouldn’t be confused with a test case. A test scenario is a high-level description of functionality to be tested, while a test case is a more detailed set of criteria for testing a feature or functionality.

There can be several test cases within a test scenario. Let’s think about that online banking app again. The test scenario to check whether users can log in may include the following test cases:

• Check users can log in with valid username and password
• Verify login with invalid username
• Verify login with invalid password
• Verify login with blank username and password

So where do test scripts come in?

Both test scenarios and test cases are different from test scripts. A test script is a list of step-by-step instructions for carrying out a test case. While a test case describes what needs to be tested, a test script gives a detailed list of steps to take and the expected outcome.

All of these are part of a test plan. The test plan is your overall framework and strategy for testing, while the test scenarios, test case and test scripts provide the specifics – in an ever-increasing level of detail – needed to carry out your tests effectively.

Got all that? Testing jargon can give you a headache – but we promise, it’s not as complicated as all the terminology makes it sound. Once you get your head around the different terms, testing is actually quite simple.

Importance of creating test scenarios

So, now you know what test scenarios are, why are they so important? In short, they put you in the shoes of users and help you to make sure that every function of your software works as it should.

Some benefits of creating test scenarios:

• Thorough software testing: Test scenarios help you to make sure that all key functions and edge cases are tested. By coming up with test scenarios, you can be confident that every aspect of the software has been tested and verified, reducing the risk of missing embarrassing issues.
• User-centric: Testing prioritizes the end-user experience, which leads to the creation of software that’s more intuitive for the user.
• Identifying improvements: Testing can help you to spot any functions that require improvements or updates before release.
• Improved efficiency: Test scenarios can help you to streamline the testing process. By breaking down complex functionalities into bite-sized scenarios, you can clearly see what needs to be done – making it easier to plan and execute tests.
• Future planning : Streamline the future development process and learn what features work well and which ones need improvement – knowledge that can help your team to discover new use cases and better meet user needs.
• Future documentation: Plus, testing scenarios provide a reference point for testing processes – which can make it easier for new team members to understand past decisions and test approaches.
• Improve collaboration: Test scenarios give developers, testers and stakeholders a shared understanding of both your user journeys and your testing objectives.

Test scenario examples

For any software, you’ll need to test multiple functionalities, so here are some examples to better illustrate what a test scenario is.

1) New user sign up

If you have a tool, you’ll likely want to make sure that the sign up process is smooth. A key function to test, then, is the user registration process. So your test scenario might be:

Verify that a new user can successfully sign up for the tool

This is a high-level scenario looking at a single functionality (user registration). From this scenario, you can then create multiple test cases, like:

• Testing sign up with valid details
• Testing sign up with an email that’s already been used
• Checking whether someone can sign up with a password that’s too long or short

2) Payment methods

If your software requires payment, you’ll need to verify that users are able to pay using different methods. So, your test scenario could be:

Verify that users can make a payment using different methods in an online payment system.

That could then be broken down into several test cases, such as:

• Verify successful payment with a valid credit card
• Check that payment fails with an expired credit card
• Ensure that the payment process times out after a period of inactivity

3) Forgotten password

It’s inevitable that users will forget their password at some point – and they need to be able to reset it. A test scenario, then, could be:

Verify that users can reset their password using the 'Forgot Password' feature.

This top-level scenario describes a key functionality that needs to be tested. You could then write up several test cases, such as:

• Check it’s not possible to reset password with an email address that isn’t registered
• Verify that users receive a password reset email after entering a valid email
• Verify that the new password field can’t be left blank

Best practices for test scenarios

Before you dive right in and start writing your test scenarios, here are some pointers to help you

• Understand user requirements: Your test scenarios should align with user stories and requirements.
• Prioritization: You should test the most critical functions and features first. You can prioritize based on factors like user impact, functionality criticality, and the likelihood of failure.
• Different test types: You can create different test scenarios to cover different areas, such as functional testing, security testing and performance testing.
• Clear objectives: Each test scenario should have a clear goal.
• Keep it simple: Test scenarios shouldn’t be too complex or jargon-heavy. Keep it simple to ensure the purpose is clear and it can be easily understood by everyone.
• Clear documentation: Track your test scenarios including descriptions, expected outcomes and actual outcomes – this will give you a reference for future testing.

How to write a test scenario

Are you ready to write your first test scenario? Here’s a step-by-step guide so you can get your testing scenarios right the first time, every time.

1) Understand the requirements

First things first: You can’t write an effective test scenario if you don’t understand what needs to be tested. So ensure you thoroughly review the software requirements, user stories and specifications to understand what functionality needs to be tested. From this, you should be able to identify all user interactions.

One great way of doing this is with mind mapping, which can help you to organize and visualize test scenarios. This can help you to brainstorm a range of possible user interactions and paths within the software to ensure that the software meets users needs and expectations.

2) Define the scope

Clearly define the scope of each test scenario, determining which feature or functionality will be tested. You’ll want to keep track of your test scenarios, so keep them organized in either a testing tool or a simple spreadsheet.

3) Write a clear title

Provide a concise and clear identification of the test scenario, helping testers to quickly understand what the scenario is about at a glance

4) Write a clear scenario description

The test scenario should be simple and straightforward, avoiding technical jargon – but it should be descriptive enough so you can see at a glance what needs to be tested.

5) State any preconditions

You should also outline any preconditions that must be met before the scenario can be tested. This could include things like having access to the software and a stable internet connection.

6) Define expected results

Be sure to outline what results you expect to see from each test scenario.

7) Review and validate

Once you’ve written your test scenario, review it with developers, testers and stakeholders to ensure it covers your requirements and aligns with the user stories.

8) Maintain and update

You can use your test scenarios again in the future, so don’t just write them and forget about them. Regularly revisit and update the test scenarios as your requirements change, or as new features are added – you can even keep a bank of standard test scenarios to use again in the future.

What tools to use for test scenarios

The tools you use for test scenarios will depend on your workflow and what tools you have available. If you already have user stories and are basing your test scenarios on them, you may already have tooling you can use.

But if you’re starting from scratch, there are various options:

• Word processing documents: You can keep it simple and use Microsoft Word or Google Docs to write up your test scenarios.
• Spreadsheets: Similarly, spreadsheets are a good way of creating, tracking and managing your test scenarios – and they make it easier to sort and filter information than word processing documents.
• Mind mapping tools: You may find mind mapping an easier way of visualizing relationships between user stories and test scenarios. It’s a good method to use when you’re brainstorming, then you can document the scenarios more formally in a spreadsheet or tool.
• Test management tools: Tools like Testpad allow you to easily duplicate and group tests into test scenarios, which can make things simpler when it comes to organizing and tracking your testing. For more complex needs, you might want to use test case management tools which offer additional features for managing detailed test cases.

Go forth and test

See, once you’ve got your head around the terminology, test scenarios are a really simple way of putting yourself in your users’ shoes and figuring out what you need to test. Taking the time to create well-defined test scenarios is well worth it when it comes to software testing. You’ll be able to test that every function of your software works as it should and – ultimately – deliver software that works.

The right tools can help you to streamline your testing efforts, making it easier to do everything from organizing to reporting on your testing.

We may be biased but if you want to find out how Testpad can support your testing efforts from start to finish, sign up for a 30-day free trial today.

If you liked this article, consider sharing