Type: Real-world QA Scenario
Severity: High (affects early test planning)
Environment: Agile, missing/unclear user stories
Status: Happens more often than you think
🧪 Problem
You’re assigned a feature.
But there’s no detailed spec, no flow, no Figma, and no acceptance criteria.
🔍 Root Cause
In fast-moving Agile teams, features often move into dev/test before specs are 100% finalized.
Waiting for perfect documentation = missed deadlines.
Testing blindly = missed bugs.
✅ Expected Behavior (Mindset)
A professional tester:
Starts with what’s available
Thinks like a user
Documents assumptions
Asks sharp, focused questions
Iterates test cases as info improves
🛠 Suggested Approach
1. Use the User Story to Map a Flow
Even if it’s vague, extract:
Actor (user/role)
Action (what they do)
Goal (why they do it)
Example: “As a user, I want to update my profile to keep my info current.”
→ That gives you: input fields, update action, confirmation, possible validations.
2. Write Draft Test Cases with Assumptions
✅ Clearly mark assumptions so devs/BA can confirm later.
3. Ask Specific, Context-Based Questions
“What’s the max/min value for this field?”
“What happens if the user clicks Submit twice?”
“Does this feature require login? Specific roles?”
“What should happen if the API fails?”
🎯 Ask like someone who already tried testing — not someone waiting for answers.
4. Prioritize: Cover Happy Path First
Start with:
Valid input → success flow
Most common user actions
Basic validation
Add negative & edge cases once info is confirmed.
5. Flag Test Cases as Draft / Pending
Always note test cases written under incomplete info as:
Status: Draft
Waiting for spec confirmation
🧠 Final Thought
Writing test cases without a full spec isn’t impossible — it’s a core skill.
Don’t block the team waiting for clarity.
Be the one who brings clarity through smart assumptions and good questions.
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