Beginner’s Guide to Manual Testing: How to Write Test Scenarios and Test Cases

Dive into manual testing with this beginner-friendly guide. Learn how to write effective test scenarios and test cases for any website or app, and develop critical thinking skills essential for all testers.

Embark on your manual testing journey with our comprehensive guide. Understand the basics of writing test scenarios and test cases, and develop critical thinking skills essential for every tester.

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Beginner’s Guide to Manual Testing: How to Write Test Scenarios and Test Cases

Jumping into the world of software testing? Awesome! Manual testing is a great place to start. It's essential to hone your skills in creating test scenarios and test cases. This skill set will lay a strong foundation for your critical and logical thinking, benefiting you as a developer, automation, or manual tester. Let’s dive into the nitty-gritty of manual testing, with practical examples to get you started.

Why Manual Testing?

Manual testing is the process of manually checking software for defects. Unlike automated testing, which uses scripts and tools, manual testing requires a human touch. Here's why it's a fantastic starting point:

1. Develop Critical Thinking: Manual testing forces you to think critically about how the software should work versus how it actually works.
2. Understand User Perspective: You get to experience the software as an end-user would, spotting usability issues that automated tests might miss.
3. Foundation for Automation: Before you can automate tests, you need to know what to test. Manual testing helps you figure that out.

Getting Started with Manual Testing

Step 1: Understand the Requirements

Before you write any tests, you need to understand what the software is supposed to do. This involves:

• Reading the requirements documents.
• Discussing with stakeholders.
• Using the software to get a feel for its functionality.

Step 2: Write Test Scenarios

Test scenarios are high-level descriptions of what to test. They cover broad aspects of the application and ensure that every part is tested. Here’s how to write them:

1. Identify Test Objectives: What are the key functions that need testing?
2. Break Down Functions: Divide each function into smaller tasks.
3. Write Scenarios: Describe what needs to be tested in plain language.

Example Test Scenarios for an E-commerce Website:

1. User Login:

   • Verify that a user can log in with valid credentials.
   • Check that an error message appears with invalid credentials.
   • Test the “Forgot Password” functionality.

2. Product Search:

   • Ensure that users can search for products by name.
   • Validate that search results are relevant.
   • Check the functionality of filters and sorting options.

3. Shopping Cart:

   • Add items to the cart and verify they appear correctly.
   • Remove items from the cart and ensure they are deleted.
   • Test the checkout process for accuracy and ease of use.

Step 3: Write Test Cases

Test cases are detailed, step-by-step instructions for testing the application. They provide specific inputs, execution steps, and expected outcomes.

Structure of a Test Case:

• Test Case ID: Unique identifier for the test case.
• Test Scenario: The high-level scenario this test case belongs to.
• Test Steps: Detailed steps to execute the test.
• Test Data: Data needed for the test.
• Expected Result: What should happen if the software works correctly.
• Actual Result: The actual outcome after executing the test (filled in during testing).

Example Test Cases for the “User Login” Scenario:

Test Case ID: TC-01

• Test Scenario: User Login
• Test Steps:
  1. Navigate to the login page.
  2. Enter a valid username.
  3. Enter a valid password.
  4. Click the “Login” button.
• Test Data:
  • Username: [e-mail]
  • Password: testpassword
• Expected Result: User should be logged in and redirected to the dashboard.
• Actual Result: (To be filled during testing)

Test Case ID: TC-02

• Test Scenario: User Login
• Test Steps:
  1. Navigate to the login page.
  2. Enter an invalid username.
  3. Enter an invalid password.
  4. Click the “Login” button.
• Test Data:
  • Username: [e-mail]
  • Password: invalidpassword
• Expected Result: Error message should be displayed indicating invalid credentials.
• Actual Result: (To be filled during testing)

Critical and Logical Thinking in Testing

Manual testing isn’t just about following steps. It's about thinking critically and logically to uncover hidden issues. Here’s how you can develop these skills:

1. Question Assumptions: Don’t take anything for granted. If a feature works, ask why. If it doesn’t, ask why not.
2. Think Like a User: Consider how different types of users might interact with the software. What are their goals and pain points?
3. Be Curious: Explore the software beyond the obvious. Try different input combinations, navigate through various paths, and push the boundaries.

Conclusion

Starting with manual testing is a crucial step in becoming a skilled software tester. By writing detailed test scenarios and test cases, you'll develop a critical mindset that's essential for both manual and automated testing. Remember, the more you practice, the better you'll get. So, pick a website or an app and start testing today!

Happy testing!