How To Create Test Scenarios? Test Case vs. Test Scenario

Testing at its core is about answering the question of “what can possibly happen in this scenario?”. A test scenario is a concise and overarching objective for testing, outlining what needs to be tested.

Let’s dive into the concept of test scenarios, with practical examples, best practices, and how to manage your test scenarios in a project.

What is a Test Scenario?

A test scenario is a concise description of a feature of the system that needs to be verified from the end-user's perspective. It defines a user’s interaction with the system under specific conditions and tests how the system responds.

For example:

• Test Scenario for Login Functionality: Verify if a registered user can successfully log in using valid credentials.
• Test Scenario for Payment Gateway: Validate that the payment is processed successfully when a user enters valid card details.
• Test Scenario for File Upload: Ensure a user can upload a file under the maximum size limit without errors.

You can see that these test scenarios have successfully communicated to you the goal it wants to achieve.

Characteristics of Test Scenarios

1. High-level: they focus on the big picture. A well-written test scenario only summarizes what needs to be tested without diving into the gritty details.
2. User-focused: they are written from the perspective of the end-user or stakeholder to align with real-world usage. 
3. Action-oriented: each test scenario describes a specific action or interaction that the user performs within the system. They emphasize what the user does and what the system is expected to do in response.

Test Scenario vs. Test Case: What Are The Differences?

A test scenario is a high-level concept that defines what needs to be tested, typically focusing on a user action or feature.

A test case, on the other hand, is a detailed set of steps, inputs, and conditions required to execute the test and verify specific functionality.

Let’s take a look at a simple example of a test scenario and test case for the Login page:

Test Scenario: Verify that a user can successfully log in to the application.

Test Cases:

1. Verify login with valid username and password.
2. Verify login with an invalid password.
3. Verify login with a locked account.
4. Verify the error message when the username field is left empty.

Put simply, a test scenario is more generic than a test case. The test case is a detailed description of the steps to do for a test scenario.

Here’s a comparison table for you:

A side note: theoretically, we make a distinction between these two concepts, but in practice, many companies and testing teams usually use these terms interchangeably. 

Step-by-step Guide To Create Test Scenarios

1. Understand Requirements

Begin by thoroughly analyzing the business requirements, technical specifications, and user stories. Identify the core functionalities, workflows, and edge cases that need to be tested.

At this stage, BDD testing is a good starting point. It is an approach of creating test cases in simple, business-readable language to bridge gaps between technical and non-technical team members. 

BDD is the shared language between the Product Owner, Developer, and Tester (or the "tres amigos"), which eventually leads to shared understanding of requirements, ensuring everyone is on the same page.

For example, here is a BDD test for the scenario of Placing an Online Order. It uses the Given, When, And, Then statements to simplify the test steps.

2. Focus on the User Perspective

Write scenarios that reflect how the user will interact with the application. Consider both common user paths (happy paths) and edge cases (e.g., invalid inputs, boundary conditions). Instead of describing system actions like “Authenticate login,” focus on user goals: “Verify that a user can log in with valid credentials.”

3. Group Related Features

Organize scenarios based on related functionalities or workflows. This ensures manageability and prevents overlap. 

For example, you can group scenarios for login, registration, and password recovery under a "User Authentication" module.

4. Keep It Simple

Following the KISS principle, make sure to use clear and concise language to avoid confusion. Stick to high-level actions and expected outcomes, avoiding unnecessary technical details.

Checklist for Writing Test Scenarios

Use this checklist to ensure your test scenarios are well-crafted:

1. Is it high-level? Does the scenario focus on what to test rather than how to test?
2. Is it user-focused? Does it represent a user action or interaction?
3. Does it cover both positive and negative flows? Have you considered scenarios for success and failure?
4. Is it simple and concise? Can it be easily understood by stakeholders, including non-technical team members?
5. Is it complete? Does it cover all the key functionalities and workflows identified in the requirements?
6. Is it grouped logically? Are related scenarios clustered for better organization?

Tools For Test Management

Managing test scenarios fall into the broader category of test management. Test Management is a comprehensive activity of managing the entire testing process, which includes test case management, test data management, test planning, and also test reporting.

Here is a comprehensive list of test management tools you should know.

1. Jira

Jira is a famous issue tracking and project management software. It was originally developed as a bug tracker but has evolved into a versatile platform for Agile project management. Jira can be quite a solid test management tool thanks to these features:

• Integration with Development: Jira integrates seamlessly with development workflows, making it easy to link test cases with user stories, tasks, and defects.
• Customizability: Jira allows you to create custom issue types for test cases, organize them into test cycles, and track their status effectively.
• Collaboration: Its collaborative features enable smooth communication among developers, testers, and stakeholders, keeping everyone aligned.

2. Katalon TestOps

Katalon TestOps is part of the Katalon product suite, including Katalon Studio, Katalon TestCloud, and Katalon Runtime Engine.

Here’s how they work together:

• Katalon Studio allows you to craft test cases quickly in no-code, low-code, and full-code modes, then execute them on the browser of your choice.
• Katalon TestOps is where you plan and schedule test runs in sync with releases, organize tests into test suites, and view analytics from all test activities.
• Katalon TestCloud can work in tandem with Studio and TestOps to help you run tests across browsers, devices, and OS.
• Of course, there is a Jira integration to help you manage releases and requirements better.
  

3. XRay

Xray for Jira is a robust test management tool designed to help teams organize, plan, execute, and monitor the progress of testing activities, ensuring readiness for deployment.

Xray leverages Jira’s native issue types to manage test cases and links them directly to requirements, ensuring comprehensive test coverage. By operating within Jira's unified ecosystem, developers and testers collaborate seamlessly, with shared workflows and complete transparency into testing progress. This integration ensures that:

• Every test is accounted for.
• Every task is part of the same workflow.
• Developers and testers communicate using a common framework.

FAQs on Test Scenarios

1. What is the difference between a test scenario and a test case?
   A test scenario focuses on the overall goal or user action to be tested, while a test case provides detailed steps, inputs, and expected outcomes for testing that scenario.
   
   
2. What are test conditions vs. test scenarios?
   Test conditions define specific criteria or pre-requisites to validate during testing (e.g., "System must allow 8-character passwords"), whereas test scenarios are broader and focus on testing user workflows or functionalities (e.g., "Verify user can reset their password").
   
   
3. What is the difference between a test suite and a test scenario?
   A test suite is a collection of test cases grouped together for execution, whereas a test scenario is a high-level concept describing what to test.
   • Create columns for Test Scenario ID, Description, Priority, Test Data, and Expected Outcome.
   • Fill in each row with relevant details for each scenario to keep your test management organized.
     
     
4. How do you write test scenarios in Excel?
   To write test scenarios in Excel:
   

   Test artifacts are the deliverables or documents generated during the testing process to ensure proper planning, execution, and reporting. A test scenario can be considered as a test artifact.

5. What is Testing Without Test Cases Called?
   Testing without predefined test cases is commonly referred to as Exploratory Testing. It is an unscripted testing approach where testers simultaneously learn about the application, design test scenarios, and execute tests.