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What is a Test Plan? The Complete Guide for Writing a Software Test Plan

What is a test plan complete guide with examples.

Creating a software test plan is one of the most foundational concepts in software testing. However, with the advent of streamlined life cycle processes, such as Agile and DevOps, the idea of taking the time to create test plans and other forms of test documentation is often minimized or ignored altogether. This is unfortunate because there is much value in a test plan that can greatly benefit all projects, regardless of lifecycle.

It is not uncommon to hear testers and test managers say things like “We don’t do test plans because we are Agile” or, perhaps the statement is “We don’t have time for test plans.” The reality is that no matter the lifecycle approach, a test plan is a valuable tool to ensure the right resources are in place to meet the test objectives.

Even in test techniques such as exploratory testing , test charters are used as a way to outline the focus of a period of testing, along with defining who will perform the tests, and how much time will be allocated to the testing effort.

Planning is essential in any endeavor in life and business. For example, a bank will not loan money to a business without a business plan. Without a marketing plan, a business will lack focus and direction in reaching new customers. Without a project plan, any initiative will dissolve into chaos.

However, for some reason, in testing, the importance of test planning is overlooked.

Keep in mind that a test plan that is not followed has little value. If you invest the time and effort to create a test plan, then follow it while evolving the plan, if needed, but don’t forget it.

It is a well-known fact that any plan will need to be adjusted once the work starts to occur. The solution is not to abandon the plan, but adapt it to the situation at hand. This especially holds true for test plans.

Table Of Contents

  • What is a Software Test Plan?
  • Test Strategy VS Test Plan

How to Write a Test Plan

Writing the test plan with the audience in mind.

  • Sizing The Test Plan

How To Create Or Find A Test Plan Template

How to deal with changes to the test plan, final thoughts, what is a test plan.

Test plan

Think of a test plan as a project plan for your testing process.

This means that the test plan conveys how testing will be performed at a particular level (such as system testing or user acceptance testing ), or for a particular type of testing (such as performance testing or security testing).

The Test Plan (sometimes also referred to as a QA Test Plan) can be seen as the instruction manual or guide for your testing effort. It describes the objectives of testing (what are you planning to verify and/or validate), the scope of testing (what will and will not be tested), together with the general and sometimes detailed schedule of the activities you want to perform (how and when are you testing).

Test plans should list the risks foreseen in the project and their respective levels so that testing can be prioritized by risk.

Perhaps the most important part of a test plan is the definition of resources needed. Resources can be seen as human (such as the people involved in the test) and technical (such as test environments, test tools and test data).

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Test Plan vs Test Strategy

A test plan and a test strategy are not quite the same thing, as we will now explain. The test plan conveys how the test will be performed. This includes defining test objectives, test approach, test tools , test environment, test schedules and team responsibilities and composition. However, before the right test approach and other planning details can be defined, a larger view of the organizational and project objectives must be defined first.

It is possible to have a great test plan in terms of formatting, but miss the critical objectives of defining what is actually needed from the test. This is where the test strategy becomes very important in defining major test objectives and making sure the test approach is in alignment with organizational needs and goals. The organizational perspective of testing is often found in a test policy.

A test strategy describes the uniqueness of the test and is a “big picture” view of the test. You might think of a test strategy as the description of the “what” and the “why” of the test.

In practical application, it is often best to define the test strategy first, so that the general nature and objectives are understood. Then, you have the basic information available to create the more detailed test plan.

A very good early project activity is to get the stakeholders together and brainstorm the test strategy. It may seem odd to have a test-oriented activity so early in a project, but it gets people thinking about how one of the most critical project activities, testing, will be conducted.

Early on, details are not needed in the test strategy. In fact, that is the great thing about a test strategy – you can define it even before requirements or other specifications are defined. Details will emerge as the test plan is created.

Typical items covered in a test strategy are:

  • Uniqueness of the project, such as usage and technology involved
  • Critical success factors, such as reliability, correctness, usability, etc.
  • Risks, such as business, project, product, and technical
  • Roles and responsibilities (not necessarily by name)
  • General timelines and schedules
  • Levels of testing (component, integration, system, acceptance)
  • Types of testing (functional, security, usability, etc.)

You have much freedom in writing a test strategy. Although a standard does exist for test strategies (ISO/IEC/IEEE 29119-3), you can still make it your own. It’s possible to have a one-page test strategy that is very effective and takes less than an hour to create.

Test strategy template example

Test strategy case study example

The first test plan you write might be the most difficult. This is because you are assimilating information for the first time. The more test plans you write, the better you get at the investigation of details and the phrasing of things.

Writing a test plan is typically a test management or leadership responsibility. Others on the test team and in the organization (such as users and developers) may have input and review tasks, but it is generally up to the manager to actually write the test plan.

As mentioned above, a great starting point in creating a test plan is the definition of a test strategy. A software test strategy helps in understanding the broad objectives of the test and how a particular project or release is unique. With a test strategy in place, now you are ready to start creating a test plan.

It is typical to have gaps and vagueness in the first draft of a test plan. Many times, the information needed in a test plan will emerge over time. In fact, there may be some details of the test that do not become clear until shortly before the test. For example, details such as the features to be tested may be changing even up to the time of release.

As you write the test plan, you will discover that the writing effort becomes one of investigation as you seek to learn the details needed in the plan. A good practice is to assign certain parts of the test plan to members of the test team to investigate and document. As the author of the test plan, you can then compile and edit the information.

Perhaps one of the most important tasks in creating the test plan is to review it. The first review should be a team review involving members of the test team with knowledge of the content.

After making any needed changes, the next review should involve knowledgeable stakeholders such as project leaders, test team leaders, technical test analysts, business analysts, subject matter experts and any other people that can provide helpful perspectives in the review.

One of the golden rules in writing any kind of document is to write with your audience in mind. Failing to do this will result in a document that fails to convey the kind of information needed by the readers, and will likely be ignored.

Obviously, a business-oriented audience will get lost in technical jargon and technical readers will find the plan lacking if few technical details are provided. The balance is found in being able to express technical information in ways that is understandable by the business. This has been a great need for over forty years in all areas of information technology, not just testing.

When it comes to test plans, consider that only part of the test planning details will involve information heavily based on technical details. The rest of the test plan will contain information that should be easily readable by all stakeholders, regardless of role. This is another compelling reason for conducting test plan reviews, especially the reviews involving stakeholders.

Key attributes of the test plan should be:

  • Conciseness – People today do not read, they scan. Keep your sentences short and to the point, bullet points help.
  • Organization – It helps to start the test plan with a general introduction, then get more detailed in the body of the plan. Good test plan templates and standards help with organizing the content. Numbered sections and sub-topics help when referring to items in the test plan.
  • Readability – Use plain language understandable by most of the audience. Avoid heavy use of acronyms if at all possible.
  • Adaptability to Change – Plan for change. Extreme levels of detail in the plan will require the plan to be changed more frequently in response to project changes.
  • Accuracy – People should be able to rely on the information contained in the test plan as being accurate. If errors are discovered, they should be reported and corrected as soon as possible.

Keep in mind that a major goal of the test plan is to communicate details of the test to readers in all areas of an organization. Therefore, anything that enhances communication in the test plan helps connect with readers.

Sizing the Test Plan

A common question when it comes to writing a test plan is, “How long should the test plan be?”. In fact, there is no definitive answer to that question since the length of the test plan is driven by the specific context of the project.

Obviously, projects that are large and complex will require more information to convey details of the testing effort than simpler and smaller projects. A principle that is helpful to remember is that the longer the test plan, the less likely people are to actually read it. As mentioned earlier, many people scan instead of read. In addition, the longer the document, the more prone people will be to scan it.

If the test plan is perceived to be too lengthy, people may ignore it entirely. My personal guideline for test plans is to keep them less than fifteen or twenty pages, if possible.

It is very helpful to have a software test plan template or standard with which to start. If your organization doesn’t have existing test plans or standards, there are test plan examples in books and other industry publications devoted to software testing.

However, I often advise caution in following just any test plan example you might find online. Test plans, like any document, can be flawed – in some cases, greatly flawed. So, when using a template, make sure it meets your needs and doesn’t omit important information.

The primary international standard for test documentation such as test plans, test cases and test procedures is ISO/IEC/IEEE 29119-3. In this standard you will find both traditional and agile test plan standards, as well as examples of both types of test plans.

While some people feel standards are constraining, standards can also be your friend. Standards can provide guidance and examples based on many years of industry experience and practice, while eliminating the need to start your test planning efforts from a blank page. Standards must be tailored to meet your needs. Therefore, it is perfectly fine to tailor and adapt the standard.

Sometimes, industry groups also share test plan templates. It is worth the time to investigate this possibility if you are in an industry such as defense, finance, automotive, or medical.

Textbooks on software testing can also be a source of test plan templates.

Here you can find an example for a test plan template:

One reason why people may tend to avoid test planning is that they know any plans will likely change. Test plans are no exception. However, the prospect of changes should not deter you from creating a test plan.

The key is to write the plan to be resilient and flexible to changes, so how does one do that?

The answer is actually based on a simple principle. The more detailed and specific the plan in terms of things like names, dates, risks, and technical details, the more brittle the test plan becomes when changes occur.

But, what about the details that need to be conveyed in a test plan? What value is the test plan without details?

When it comes to things like test objectives, scope, other more solid details, those things typically survive change better than other details. For schedules, people and other details that are more change-sensitive, a good practice is to reference them in a way that changes can be recorded without prompting a new version of the test plan.

Today, many people create test plans in content management systems that allow easy references to other items, such as schedules and estimates. If referencing the details is not feasible in your case, just try to find the balance with “just enough” detail to guide the test while also minimizing the impact from changes.

Test planning is an essential activity of testing, regardless of the project lifecycle approach. A test plan is like a project plan for testing.

In many aspects of testing, a degree of planning and preparation is needed to get the needed resources in place when you need them. Some resources, such as people and environments, may require significant preparation. The test plan is where those resources are defined and the needs of testing are expressed.

A major goal of the test plan is to communicate to the rest of the organization, and perhaps other organizations, how testing is planned to be conducted. Without a test plan, communication about testing becomes very dynamic and people may not know at any given time the goals and expectations of testing.

Just remember that no test plan is perfect, but the more experience you gain in writing test plans, the easier the planning becomes.

Other articles on test planning:

The Role of Stakeholders in Software Test Planning

Test Planning Fundamentals (Includes an outline and template)

Software Test Plan Templates:

35 Software Test Plan Templates & Examples

IEEE Test Plan Template

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Randall W. Rice is a leading author, speaker, consultant and practitioner in the field of software testing and software quality, with over 40 years of experience in building and testing software projects in a variety of domains, including defense, medical, financial and insurance. You can read more at his website .

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Software Test Plans: A Complete Guide with Templates

Running software tests without a proper software testing plan is a recipe for disaster.

Without a test plan, it can be challenging to streamline the testing approach and ensure all product areas are tested adequately. That means it’s harder to ensure any product issues are identified and fixed before the software goes live.

And, without thoroughly testing the software, the end users will end up battling bugs. You don’t want that.

Fortunately, creating a software test plan does not have to be complicated. In fact, using a template can help make the testing activity a lot easier and ensure that all the vital information is included.

In this article, we’ll cover:

  • What is a test plan?
  • Why do you need software test plans?
  • What should be included in software test plans?
  • Software test plan templates

So, here’s a complete guide on software test plans with two templates for you at the end.

What Is a Test Plan?

Just like a software design document outlines how the software will be designed, a test plan document outlines the strategy that will be used to test a software application. 

software test case

The test plan document usually identifies which software features will be tested, what testing will be performed, who will be responsible for each type of testing, and when the testing will be completed.

It also identifies the environment in which the testing will take place, the resources that will be required, and any risks that could impact the success of the testing. 

Why Do You Need Software Test Plans?

You need software test plan documents because: 

1. They ensure the testing process is efficient and effective: 

Software test plans ensure that the testing process is efficient and effective by identifying which software features need to be tested and what types of testing need to be performed. 

They identify all the critical details that must be considered while testing a software application. This makes sure that nothing important is left untested.

2. They act as a means of communication  

Software test plans act as a means of communication between the different stakeholders — such as the test manager, test lead, and other testers. 

The test plans ensure everyone is on the same page concerning the objectives of the testing effort and the approach that will be taken.

Software test plans also help track the progress of the testing. That is because they contain information on when each type of testing is to be completed. 

3. They let you track the progress of the testing 

This ensures that the testing is on track and that all the testing objectives are met promptly.

What Should Be Included in Software Test Plans?

Several things must be included in a software test plan template to ensure your team gets the most out of it. These include:

1. Test Identification Planner

A test identification planner uniquely identifies a software test plan. It usually contains the following details: 

  • Some form of a unique company-generated number to identify the test plan
  • The title of the software application to be tested. For example, “Master plan for display driver TP_3A2.0”
  • The version number of the software application to be tested
  • The date on which the testing will commence
  • Author details like name, contact number, and email

This information is generally placed at the top of the test plan as a heading. It allows anyone reading the document to quickly and easily identify what the document is, who wrote it, and when.

2. Use Case Documents

These documents are a description of how a user interacts with the software. They also outline how the software should respond to each specific user action.

Example of software test plans

Including use case documents in your test plan enables your test team to create test cases and ensure that all the relevant functionality is tested.

3. Project Scope (Testing Scope)

The scope of testing defines the boundaries of the project. It outlines what is to be included in the project and what is not to be included.

This is important because it ensures that everyone involved in the project — such as testers and developers — is aware of what needs to be done and what does not need to be done (out of scope).

Defining the project scope has always helped keep our team aligned and focused. It helps our developers know exactly what needs to be tested, whether it’s functional or non-functional components of the software.

The project scope also shows the testers how the items listed will be tested.

4. Test Environment

This is where we specify the hardware and software environment in which the testing will take place. For example, if the software is to be tested on Windows 10, we’ll mention that information in the test plan under the test environment section.

Some other environmental variables you should specify in your test plan are:

  • Level of security
  • The network configuration that will be used
  • The test data
  • Network bandwidth
  • Firewall and CPU capacity

Specifying the test environment is critical for quality assurance. You want your testers to test the software in the right environment to ensure the final test results are accurate. 

Therefore, beyond specifying the necessary and desired test environment, take the necessary steps to ensure the environment is available to your testers. You should also provide any tools that may be required to create the ideal test environment.

5. Access Check for Environments

This ensures that the testers have the necessary permissions and access rights to the environment in which they will be testing. 

For example, if the software is to be tested on a live server, then the testers must have the necessary permissions. Otherwise, they will not be able to carry out the testing.

So, in addition to listing the environments needed for testing, it might be helpful to include who has access to each environment. 

6. Features to Be Tested

Your test plan should include a list of all the features that need to be tested. 

We recommend asking yourself the following questions when creating this list:

  • What are the objectives of the testing?
  • What needs to be tested to achieve these objectives?
  • What are the risks associated with not testing certain features?

This is important so that the testers know what needs to be tested and can plan accordingly.

7. Methodology to Follow

The test methodology is the approach that will be taken during the testing. There are several testing methodologies, each with unique advantages and disadvantages. 

The methodology you choose will depend on several factors, such as the type of the project, the timeline, and the resources available.

Examples of software testing methodologies are Agile, Waterfall, and V-model (verification and validation).

8. Criteria Determination

This refers to a set of criteria that will be used to determine whether the testing has been successful. 

Here is what we usually look for at this stage:

  • All critical test cases passed.
  • There are no bugs.
  • Test case pass rate is more than 95%

This helps to ensure that the testing is carried out effectively and that the software meets all the necessary requirements.

9. Abort Testing Criteria

This is a set of suspension criteria that will be used to determine when to abort the testing. 

For example, the test may be suspended if a significant scope change affects the critical path.

Alongside the abort testing criteria, you’ll need to add the testing resumption criteria in your software test plan templates. This will describe when you’ll resume the testing after a suspension. 

For example, if you suspended the test due to a bug, the test may resume once the software development team provides the latest drop with the bug fix.

10. Test Artifacts to Be Submitted

Test artifacts, also called test deliverables, are the reports and documents created or provided through the testing cycle. The artifacts typically fall into three categories; Reports, Bug Write-Ups or Test Cases, and Documents.

Moreover, each deliverable has unique dependencies. There is usually also a progression from one deliverable to the next. 

Examples of test artifacts include:

  • Test scripts
  • Test executions results
  • Test reports
  • Incident logging report

These documents are shared with the team in charge of testing, the client, and other stakeholders associated with the project to keep them updated about the progress. 

11. Testing Schedule

As the name indicates, this part outlines the details of the testing schedule . This includes testing phases with estimated start and end dates, along with who’s responsible for each phase/step. 

The testing schedule is generally created at the beginning of the project. However, we encourage test managers to update the testing schedules as needed as the project progresses. 

The schedule helps to ensure that the testing is carried out in a timely and efficient manner.

Software Test Plan Templates

Now that you know what should be included in a software test plan, here are two templates you can use so you don’t miss out on anything important. 

Template #1:  

(Your company name and logo) 

Project Name: 

Prepared By: (Name of the key people from the testing team)

Revision History: (Description of any changes made, version number, who made the changes, and date when the changes were made) 

(Table of Contents)

1. Overview

  • General description of the project
  • What will be tested (major testing tasks)
  • The plan for testing (how the testing will be conducted)
  • What resources are needed
  • Methodology to be followed during the testing
  • Description of the methodology
  • Specify the platform your software will be tested for
  • Identify if regression testing is needed
  • Security testing
  • Connectivity testing
  • Disaster recovery testing
  • Integration testing
  • Unit testing
  • User acceptance testing
  • Automation testing
  • Stress testing

3. Testing Strategy

  • What kind of approach is taken
  • Who is responsible for each test

4. Test Schedule

  • Dates of execution
  • Prioritization of functions to be tested

5. Facility and resources needed

  • Resources and skills
  • Operating system
  • Version of the operating system
  • Hardware configurations
  • Software dependencies
  • Network configuration
  • Any special access needed
  • Data set for testing
  • Define what tools are needed for testing

7. Test Metrics

  • Define what metrics need to be recorded and the reasons to record them

8. Control Measures

  • Define any control measures for the testing environment

9. Roles and responsibilities

  • Roles and responsibilities of the people associated with each testing phase

10. Criteria Determination:

  • List of criteria to be used to determine the success of the testing
  • List of criteria to be used to determine when to abort the testing
  • Resumption criteria to determine when to resume testing once paused

11. Use Case Documents/resources:

  • Use case name and ID number
  • Description of the use case
  • Preconditions for the use case
  • Successful execution scenario of the use case
  • Alternate execution scenarios of the use case
  • Exit criteria for the use case

12. Administration

13. References

 14. Point of contact

  • Emails & phone numbers

Template #2:  

(Project Name) 

Software under test:

Software version: 

  • Introduction
  • Test identifier

3. Details of the test plan

  • The combinations of features that need to be tested
  • Expected results
  • Actual results

4. Test artifacts/deliverable documents

  • Test summary

 5. Methodology

  • Description of the software testing activities
  • List of features that are to be tested and that are not to be tested

 6. Necessary Environmental needs

  • Testing tools

7. Staff responsibilities

  • Roles and responsibilities
  • Training needs (if any)

 8. Identified Risks and Constraints 

  • Specify any anticipated risks or constraints on testing, like test-item availability and testing-resource availability, and plans for mitigating them
  • Contingency plans

9. Approvals

  • Signatures of relevant authorities
  • Dates of approvals

10. Change Log

  • Record any changes made with a detailed description of every change and the date it was made

Software test plans are detailed documents that outline the approach to testing a piece of software. They are created at the beginning of the project and updated as the project progresses. The test plan helps to ensure that the testing is carried out in a timely and efficient manner.

To help you create an effective software test plan, we’ve shown you the details you’ll need to add to your plan. You’ve also seen two software test plan templates that you could use for inspiration.

Therefore, with this handy guide at your disposal, you should be able to write comprehensive test plans.

You’ve seen how to write test plans, great! Do you need a platform to manage your software requirements, groom your backlog, and keep your development team aligned? Check out Tara AI , an intuitive zero-config platform for agile teams. Get started today for free!

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Software Test Plan Template

Test plan definition.

Software Test Plan Template can be defined as the documentation which illustrates an organized proposition of testing a specific system that can be a device, machine, or software. It consists of an elaborated understanding of all the functions and workflow of the system and documents planned to be carried out, how they will be tested to discover if the system works according to its specified design and requirement, to detect issues to determine its actual limitations.

Test Plan Template,Software Test Plan Template, test plan sample, Simple Test Plan Template

Highlights regarding Test Plan Word template

  • This test plan template can be used to document and share the testing approach to be undertaken and scopes that will include both in scope and out the scope for your organization's specified projects and teams.
  • Preparation of a test plan helps you to set expectancy with your stakeholders – regarding how your Testing team will undertake a project or program and all the activities they are going to perform in this phase.
  • More importantly, the Test Plan will also state what activities your team will not be performing during this phase.
  • Test Plans are included with test schedules, which helps the Stakeholders understand when they can expect to receive reports regarding the Testing progress and artifacts that will provide these updates.
  • Test Plans will help you reveal any misplaced elements by producing your views on the testing approach, scope, risks, mitigations, issues, etc., and a chance for others to review and add an additional requirement.
  • A proper Test Plan also helps you estimate and plan for appropriate efforts and resource management across all your team projects.

Guidelines on Test Plan Preparation

Write the Introduction

The introduction works as the “ executive summary ” of the test plan, including its scope, objective, and schedule. Keep this one short and accurate, as you will proceed into further detail in upcoming segments of the test plan. The scope should contain the most important performance functions and a list of what the test plan will not subject to. A schedule describes a detail regarding the time estimation in which each phase of the test will be completed.

Test plan Schedule,Test Schedule, Test plan sample

Write your Test Approach

A Test Approach includes the stages like Unit Testing, Integrated Testing, System Testing, Acceptance Testing, and types of testing like GUI Testing, Functional Testing, Performance Testing, Load Testing, Configuration Testing, Installation Testing, Browser Testing, Regression Testing to be carried out throughout the Testing Phase.

Test Stages and Types

Write a section on Resource Estimation

This section will illustrate regarding estimation of resources to complete the testing. This will consist of hardware & software requirements, testing tools, and staffing & training requirements. When the consideration is done for your staff, make sure to feature the responsibilities required of each member and the training required for the proper execution of those responsibilities. The exact and accurate specifications of hardware and software should be assured.

test plan matrix,Matrix for Software, Hardware, Staffing and Training

Include a section on Risks & Mitigations, Issues, and Dependencies

Elaborate on all the components that your project depends on and the risks involved in each step, their impact on the testing progress, and their mitigation plan.

  • Issues: They are the flaws or diversions that have an unfavorable impact on the project, so they need to be considered and addressed.
  • Dependencies: These are the features or triggers that your project depends on or are a beneficiary of your project outcomes. It is important to list them down to avoid interference.
  • Risks: Events that can have an unfavorable impact on the project if they occur.
  • Assumptions: Basically, the assumption can be anything you think to be right, but there is no guarantee of its happening. While a constraint is a limitation on you and your project. Assumptions and constraints can be anything related to budget, time, efforts, Human Resources, or any kind of functionality.

Test Plan Risk and Mitigations

List your strategy

It summaries the complete test strategy for your test plan, which will specify the conditions and processes applied to the tests. And it will consist of Acceptance criteria, Entry Criteria, and Exit Criteria. It will also include the Resumption Requirements and Suspension Criteria.

Acceptance Criteria Template

Write a section on the results of your project

This section will detail the Deliverables with the person responsible or the team involved, and the milestones achieved. The Approvers who will give the final Approval will also be specified.

Deliverables and Approvals Table

How to use the Test Plan Word Template

  • Provide your project details like project name, date, version at the specified place.
  • Provide the Document details at their specified place.
  • Can add, edit or delete the contents according to your needs after downloading the template and saving it in your system. It is also highlighted in blue italics format where the content can be added.
  • There are specific tables for every section to make it easier for the Template user to fill in the details.
  • Fill in the tables according to their row and column headings.

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Test & Evaluation

Operational Test and Evaluation (OT&E) ( 10 USC 4171 ) is a fielded test, under realistic combat conditions, for a Major Defense Program (MDP) of any item or component of a weapons system, equipment, or munitions for the purposes of determining its operational effectiveness and operational suitability for combat. To ensure test adequacy, OT&E testing should only incorporate validated, accredited threat representations unless coordinated with Director, Operational Test, and Evaluation (DOT&E) . [1,3]

Definition: OT&E is legally defined in USC Section 139 as the field test, under realistic combat conditions, of any item of (or key component of) weapons, equipment, or munitions for the purposes of determining the effectiveness and suitability of the weapons, equipment, or munitions for use in combat by typical military users; and the evaluation of the results of such test.

Operational Test and Evaluation (OT&E) Purpose

The purpose of OT&E is to test a system in the actual or simulated environment that it was designed for with users of the system in realistic operational conditions. This will determine if the system is operationally effective and operational suitability for combat. The OT&E provides the decision authority with an estimate of the following: [1]

  • The degree of satisfaction of the user’s requirements is expressed as operational effectiveness and operational suitability of the new system.
  • The system’s current capabilities, considering equipment already available and operational benefits or burdens associated with the new system.
  • The need for further development of the new system to correct performance deficiencies.
  • The adequacy of doctrine, organizations, operating techniques, tactics, and training for employment of the system; maintenance support for the system; and the system’s performance in the countermeasures environment.

Operational Test and Evaluation (OT&E) References

DoD Instruction 5000.02 lists mandatory elements of OT&E planning and execution.

Guide: DAU Test and Evaluation Management 

Guide: dod test and evaluation management, operational test and evaluation (ot&e) main evaluation criteria.

The main OT&E evaluation criteria are to determine if a system is Operationally Effective, Operationally Suitabable, and Survivable. Below is a detailed breakdown of each criteria.

  • Operational Effectiveness:  A measure of the overall ability of a system to accomplish a mission when used by representative personnel in the environment planned or expected for operational employment of the system considering organization, doctrine, tactics, supportability, survivability, vulnerability, and threat. [1]
  • Operational Suitability:  The degree to which a system can be placed and sustained satisfactorily in-field use with consideration being given to availability, compatibility, transportability, interoperability, reliability, wartime usage rates, maintainability, safety, human factors, habitability, manpower, logistics supportability, natural environmental effects and impacts, documentation, and training requirements. [1]
  • Survivability:   Includes the elements of susceptibility, vulnerability, and recoverability. As such, survivability is an important contributor to operational effectiveness and suitability. A survivability assessment should be conducted for all systems under OT&E oversight that may be exposed to threat weapons in a combat environment or to combat-induced conditions that may degrade capabilities, whether or not the program is designated for Live-Fire Test and Evaluation (LFT&E) oversight. [3]

Main Operational Test and Evaluation (OT&E) Test Activities

  • Operational Assessment (OA) is an evaluation of operational effectiveness, operational suitability, and Survivability made by an independent Operational Test organization, with user support as required, on other than production systems. The focus of an OA is on significant trends noted in development efforts, programmatic voids, risk areas, adequacy of requirements, and the ability of the program to support adequate OT. An OA may be conducted at any time using technology demonstrators, prototypes, mock-ups, EDMs, or simulators but will not substitute for the IOT&E necessary to support Full-Rate Production decisions. [1]
  • Initial Operational Test and Evaluation (IOT&E) is conducted on production, or production representative articles, to determine whether systems are operationally effective and suitable for intended use by representative users to support the decision to proceed beyond  Low-Rate Initial Production (LRIP) .
  • Follow-on Operational Test & Evaluation (FOT&E) is the OT&E that may be necessary after the Full-Rate Production Decision Review (FRPDR) to refine the estimates made during IOT&E, evaluate changes, and reevaluate the system to ensure that it continues to meet operational needs and retains its effectiveness in a new environment or against a new threat. FOT&E is conducted during fielding/deployment and operational support and sometimes may be divided into two separate activities.

Operational Test and Evaluation Agencies

In each of the Services, operational testing is conducted under the auspices of an organization that is independent of the development agency, in environments as operationally realistic as possible, with hostile forces representative of the anticipated threat and with typical users operating and maintaining the system. Each services organization is listed below: [1]

  • Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center (AFOTEC)
  • Navy Commander Operational Test and Evaluation Force
  • Army Test and Evaluation Command
  • Marine Corps Operational Test and Evaluation Activity 
  • Joint Interoperability Test Command (JITC)

Operational Test and Evaluation (OT&E) Authority

Operational testing of a major defense acquisition program may not be conducted until the Director of Operational Test and Evaluation of the Department of Defense approves (in writing) the adequacy of the plans (including the projected level of funding) for operational test and evaluation to be conducted in connection with that program.   The Director shall analyze the results of the operational test and evaluation conducted for each major defense acquisition program. At the conclusion of such testing, the Director shall prepare a report for the Secretary of Defense stating the completeness or incompleteness of the test. [2]

Difference Between Developmental Test & Evaluation (DT&E) and Operational Test & Evaluation (OT&E)

Where Operational Test & Evaluation is focused on determining the effectiveness, suitability, and survivability of the weapons, equipment, or munitions for use in combat by typical military users, Developmental Test & Evaluation is focused on verifying that technical performance specifications have been met with a system.

AcqNotes Tutorial

AcqLinks and References:

  • DAU Defense Acquisition Guidebook (DAG) Chapter 8
  • DAU Defense Acquisition Guidebook (DAG) – Test & Evaluation
  • DAU Test and Evaluation Management Guide
  • [1] DoD Test and Evaluation Management Guide
  • DoD Instruction 5000.02 “Operation of the Defense Acquisition System” 
  • Website: Title 10 USC 4171  “Survivability testing and lethality testing required before full-scale production”
  • Website: Title 10 USC 4171 “Operational Test and Evaluation of Defense Programs”
  • Website: Title 10 USC 139 “Director of Operational Test and Evaluation”
  • Website: The Office of the Director of Test and Evaluation (DOT&E)

Updated: 4/16/2023

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Operational Acceptance Testing

Operational Acceptance Testing (OAT) Guide: A Comprehensive Overview

Operational Acceptance Testing, often abbreviated as OAT, represents the final, pivotal phase of the software testing process. At the same time, earlier testing stages might verify code correctness or user interface adequacy. 

OAT tests if the system is ready to face the real world. It gauges functionality, performance, stability, and alignment with operational benchmarks. Operational Acceptance Testing (OAT) is a pivotal phase in the software development lifecycle.

It ensures that a system is functionally correct and ready for real-world operations in a production environment. OAT evaluates the system’s performance, reliability, and stability, ensuring it meets technical and business requirements.

By simulating real-world scenarios, OAT identifies potential operational bottlenecks and issues, ensuring a smooth transition from development to deployment.

Moreover, OAT bridges the gap between technical and business requirements. It’s not just about ensuring that the code runs without errors.

What is Operational Acceptance Testing

What is Operational Acceptance Testing?

Operational Acceptance Testing, often abbreviated as OAT. It is a type of software testing that focuses on a software application’s operational readiness before the product goes live or before it’s transitioned into the production environment.

While other testing methodologies might focus on functionality, performance, or user experience, OAT is concerned with the “real-world” operational scenarios the software will face once it’s released.

Key Aspects of Operational Acceptance Testing

The key aspects are:

Environment

OAT is conducted in an environment that closely mimics the production environment. This ensures that the software is tested under conditions as close as possible to the actual conditions it will face when it goes live.

Operational Scenarios

The primary focus of OAT is to validate the system. It can handle required tasks in exact time and real-world scenarios, including failures.

This might involve testing backup and recovery processes, maintenance tasks, and even system upgrades.

Performance

While OAT isn’t primarily a performance test, it does ensure that the software can handle its operational tasks within acceptable performance parameters.

OAT checks for potential operational security risks, ensuring that the software can handle threats and vulnerabilities that might arise in its operational life cycle.

Data Integrity

Ensuring data remains consistent and intact during operations like backup, recovery, or migration is a crucial part of OAT.

Documentation

OAT often involves verifying that all necessary operational documentation is available and accurate. This can include user manuals, system documentation, and operational procedures.

Disaster Recovery

One critical aspect of OAT is ensuring that the software can recover from disasters or failures without significant data loss or downtime.

What is the Importance of OAT in Software Development?

Testing stands out as an essential phase when we dive into the vast universe of software development.

Among the plethora of software testing types, OAT emerges as a frontrunner in determining a software’s readiness for real-world deployment. But why is OAT so crucial? Let’s delve deep into its significance.

Ensures System Stability

  • Software stability isn’t just about avoiding crashes; it’s about endurance. OAT acts as a robust mechanism to evaluate this endurance.
  • Imagine software subjected to erratic user behaviors, sporadic input types, and extreme stress conditions. OAT prepares the system for these unpredictable challenges.
  • In the everyday life of a production environment, usage patterns fluctuate. Some users may be data entry enthusiasts, while others might sporadically interact. OAT testing types ensure that software remains unyielding, irrespective of these variations.

Mitigates Production Risks

  • Software deployment is analogous to launching a ship. Like waters testing a ship’s resilience, the production environment poses risks to software.
  • Replicating production scenarios in a controlled environment is OAT’s forte. Such a mimicry helps developers foresee potential pitfalls.
  • Addressing and rectifying these issues during the OAT phase drastically reduces the chances of post-deployment hiccups. Consequently, users experience smoother interactions, and businesses enjoy uninterrupted operations.
  • Think of the financial and reputational implications of downtimes or crashes post-launch. OAT is the safety net that reduces these risks, ensuring a positive brand image and user trust.

Verifies Non-Functional Aspects

  • Delving beyond the surface, the software is more than just its visible functionalities. The underlying processes and mechanisms play an equally pivotal role.
  • While functional testing provides insights into what the software accomplishes, OAT shines a light on its underlying modus operandi.
  • Consider the backups ensuring data safety or the disaster recovery processes that jump into action after a catastrophic failure. 

Then, there are system upgrades, which are essential for keeping the software contemporary and secure. 

OAT meticulously evaluates these critical back-end processes.

  • OAT ensures that while the software performs its intended functions seamlessly, it also operates, recovers, and updates equally efficiently.

Operational Acceptance Testing is more than just another phase in the software development cycle. It’s a rigorous validation process.

It ensures that software meets its functional requirements and thrives in the dynamic, unpredictable environment it’s destined for.

operational test plan template

What Are the Steps to Execute Operational Acceptance Testing?

In the dynamic realm of software development, testing emerges as the hero, ensuring that applications are built and perfected. One of the superstars in this phase is Operational Acceptance Testing (OAT).

Before jumping into the steps, do you know who perform operational acceptance testing? If not, let’s navigate through the steps to execute OAT effectively.

Requirement Gathering

  • Delve deep into the nuances of the software. Understand the essential non-functional elements that it should possess.
  • Engaging with stakeholders becomes paramount. Their insights can illuminate facets developers might overlook.
  • Operations teams often provide invaluable feedback. Their on-ground experience enhances the quality of requirements.

Test Planning

  • Crafting a roadmap is crucial. An OAT plan acts as this roadmap, guiding good software testers through the journey.
  • Within the plan, precision is key. Demarcate the testing scope, set objectives, and list necessary tools.
  • Specifying environment details further sharpens the focus. It helps testers stay aligned and organized.

Test Case Design

  • Armed with requirements, the next phase beckons: designing test cases.
  • The real world is unpredictable. Test cases should capture this unpredictability to test software resilience.
  • Realism is crucial. The closer test scenarios are to real-world situations, the more effective the testing.

Environment Setup

  • Creating a testing environment is akin to setting a stage for a play. Every element matters.
  • The aim? Replicate the production setup. Every aspect, from user loads to network conditions, should echo reality.
  • Factor in hardware configurations. Ensure that the environment mimics the real deployment arena.

Test Execution

  • With preparations complete, the action takes center stage.
  • Implementing test cases in the OAT environment becomes the primary focus.
  • Precision, attention to detail, and adherence to the plan ensure smooth execution.

Result Analysis

  • After execution, reflection is necessary. Dive into the test results.
  • Anomalies and deviations are not setbacks but signposts. They highlight areas needing attention.
  • Comparing outcomes with expected behaviors helps identify gaps or flaws in the system.

Feedback and Iteration

  • Communication bridges the gap between testing and perfection.
  • Relay the findings to the development team. Highlight the successes and the areas of improvement.
  • Post-rectifications and retesting validate the effectiveness of the corrective measures.

In the grand tapestry of software development, the operational acceptance testing example stands out as an intricate and pivotal thread. Its success lies not just in individual test case execution. 

But it is a holistic approach that encompasses requirement gathering, meticulous planning, realistic environment setup, and continuous feedback loops.

As developers and testers embark on the OAT journey, adherence to these steps ensures that software products are functional but also robust, resilient, and ready for the real world.

What Are the Best Practices for Effective OAT?

In the captivating narrative of software development, Operational Acceptance Testing (OAT) stands out as a crucial chapter.

But like any intricate craft, mastering OAT requires embracing certain best practices. Let’s explore these benchmarks of excellence in depth.

Detailed Documentation

  • Recording is an art in the world of testing. A well-documented test journey paves the way for success.
  • From every minor test strategy step to significant results, pen down every detail. Precision now prevents ambiguity later.
  • Benefits? Future replication becomes seamless. Tracing back to the root causes of issues also turns out to be efficient.

Real-World Scenarios

  • A software’s true mettle is tested in the real world. Hence, design tests that emulate reality.
  • Peak load times offer a goldmine of insights. Simulating these can unveil potential system bottlenecks.
  • Recognize common user behaviors. Integrate them into the testing process. After all, users determine software success.
  • System stressors, like sudden load spikes or network fluctuations, can’t be ignored. Their inclusion ensures a comprehensive OAT.

Stakeholder Involvement

  • Beyond testers and developers lies a universe of insights. Stakeholders possess this treasure trove.
  • Operations teams breathe life into software daily. Their feedback, based on ground experiences, is invaluable.
  • Actual users carry unique perspectives. Their expectations, joys, and grievances can elevate the quality of OAT.
  • Remember, a holistic test isn’t just about code. It’s about understanding and incorporating diverse viewpoints.

Automate When Necessary

  • While manual testing has its charm, automation brings efficiency to the table.
  • Repetition takes a lot of work. Automation emerges as the knight in shining armor for tests that echo this sentiment.
  • Beyond saving time, automation guarantees consistency. Every test run remains identical, ensuring result reliability.
  • However, caution is key. Blindly automating everything isn’t wise.

To conclude, Operational Acceptance Testing, though challenging, offers an avenue to usher in functional and formidable software.

By weaving in detailed documentation, real-world emulation, invaluable stakeholder feedback, and reasonable automation, the tapestry of OAT becomes richer and more impactful.

Embracing these best practices ensures that when the software finally steps into the real world, it does so with grace, resilience, and unparalleled efficiency.

operational test plan template

What Are the Common Challenges in OAT & Solutions?

Operational Acceptance Testing (OAT) is a critical phase in the software development lifecycle . It ensures that the system is ready for production. However, like any other process, OAT comes with challenges.

Let’s delve into some of the common challenges faced during OAT and their potential solutions.

Challenge: Undefined Non-Functional Requirements can Lead to a Lack of Clarity.

Understanding non-functional requirements is crucial. They define how a system should behave, and they need to include them to avoid ambiguity.

Engage with stakeholders, especially those in operations, early and frequently .  Engagement is key. Regular interactions with stakeholders provide insights into their expectations. 

Operations teams, in particular, can offer valuable feedback. Their hands-on experience with systems can guide the development process in the right direction.

Documentation serves as a reference point. Every discussion, every decision, and every change should be recorded. This ensures that every detail is noticed.

Moreover, it provides a clear roadmap for the development and testing teams. When everyone is on the same page, the chances of missing out on critical requirements reduce significantly.

Challenge: An Adequate Testing Environment Can Yield Unreflective or Accurate Results.

The testing environment plays a pivotal role in OAT. The results can be misleading if it doesn’t mirror the production environment.

Dedicate time and resources to setting up an environment that closely matches the production setup. Replicating the production environment might seem daunting, but it’s essential.

This doesn’t mean that every single aspect needs to be duplicated. However, the core components influencing the system’s behavior should be mirrored. Investing in a robust testing environment pays off in the long run.

It provides confidence in the results. When testers know that the environment closely matches production, they can trust the outcomes. This, in turn, ensures that there are no unexpected surprises when the system goes live.

OAT is a vital step in ensuring that a system is production-ready. While challenges are inevitable, they aren’t insurmountable.

By understanding the common hurdles and implementing the suggested solutions, teams can navigate the OAT phase with confidence and precision.

Remember, the goal is to ensure that the system meets functional requirements and aligns with operational needs and expectations. With the right approach, this balance is achievable.

Tools Recommended for OAT

Operational Acceptance Testing (OAT) is a crucial phase in the software development lifecycle. It ensures a system is ready for production and can handle real-world scenarios.

To execute OAT effectively, certain tools are indispensable. Here, we delve into the specifics of these tools and their significance.

Nagios and Prometheus

Both are renowned for their monitoring capabilities. Nagios offers comprehensive monitoring, alerting, and reporting functionalities. 

Organizations trust it for its ability to detect and rectify problems before they affect end-users. Its flexibility allows users to develop their own service checks.

On the other hand, Prometheus is a powerful open-source system monitoring and alerting toolkit. Originally built at SoundCloud, it has since gained massive popularity.

Its multidimensional data model and flexible query language make it a top choice for many. Monitoring tools are the eyes and ears during OAT. They help testers identify bottlenecks, performance issues, and other anomalies that might not be evident during other testing phases.

Selenium, JUnit, and TestNG

These are the frontrunners in the automation domain. Its ability to support multiple browsers and languages makes it a favorite among testers.

JUnit plays a pivotal role in test-driven development and is a part of the larger Java ecosystem. TestNG, inspired by JUnit, brings additional functionalities. It introduces new annotations, parallel test execution, and test grouping, enhancing the testing process.

Automation tools streamline the OAT process. They ensure that tests are repeatable, consistent, and can be executed faster than manual tests. This not only saves time but also ensures precision.

Docker and Kubernetes

These platforms redefine environment management. Docker is a platform. It enables developers to create, deploy, and run applications in containers. 

Containers package up the code and all its dependencies. It helps the application run quickly and reliably from one computing environment to another.

Kubernetes takes it a step further. It’s an open-source platform designed to automate deploying, scaling, and operating application containers.

A robust testing environment is paramount for OAT. It should mimic the production environment as closely as possible. Docker and Kubernetes ensure the testing environment is consistent, scalable, and isolated from external interferences.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does oat differ from other testing phases.

While other tests focus on functionality, OAT emphasizes operational readiness, including performance, security, and backup/recovery processes.

When is OAT performed in the software development lifecycle?

OAT is typically conducted after system testing and before the software moves to production.

What tools are commonly used in OAT?

Tools like Nagios, Prometheus, Selenium, JUnit, Docker, and Kubernetes are often used for monitoring, automation, and environment management during OAT.

Wrapping Up 

Operational Acceptance Testing (OAT) is more than a mere formality—it assures stability, resilience, and quality in real-world conditions. By rigorously following the strategies and insights presented in this guide, software teams can ensure their products are ready for the world outside the development environment.

OAT is a critical step in ensuring that a software system is production-ready. Monitoring tools like Nagios and Prometheus keep a vigilant eye on system performance.

Automation tools such as JUnit, Selenium, and TestNG bring efficiency to the table. Lastly, environment management platforms like Docker and Kubernetes ensure the testing environment is up to the mark. Investing in these tools is investing in the quality and reliability of software systems.

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Operational Acceptance Testing (OAT) Example

Thomas Hamilton

What is Operational Acceptance Testing?

Operational Acceptance Testing (OAT) is a software testing technique which evaluates the operational readiness of a software application prior to the release or production. The goal of Operational acceptance testing is ensuring system and component compliance and smooth system operation in its Standard Operating Environment(SOE).

Operational Acceptance Testing(OAT Testing) is also called Operational Readiness Testing (ORT) or Operational Testing.

Types of Operational Testing

  • Installation Testing
  • Load & Performance Test Operation
  • Backup and Restore Testing
  • Security Testing
  • Code Analysis
  • Fail over Testing
  • Recovery Testing
  • End-to-End Test Environment Operational Testing
  • Operational Documentation Review

Operational Testing

Why Operational Testing

  • During OAT software configurations and operational support, components come together
  • It tests the implementation of functional or structural changes to software or service in a functional or non-functional environment
  • This testing determines whether an application can be deployed on a network according to IT Infrastructure Library (ITIL) standards
  • It tells whether a software will operate the way it is designed to without disrupting the business process
  • OAT focusses mainly on these aspects of software product
  • Recovering ability
  • Manageability and supportability

Example test cases for Operational Testing or OAT

Following is a handy checklist to do OAT

  • Backups taken at one site can be recovered to the same site
  • Backups taken at one site can be recovered to the other site
  • Implementation of any new features into the live production environment should not adversely affect the integrity of the current production services
  • Implementation process can be replicated by using valid documentation
  • Each component can be shutdown and start successfully within the agreed time scale.
  • For Alerts- All critical alerts must go to the TEC and reference the correct resolution document.
  • Alerts are in place and issued if agreed thresholds are exceeded
  • Any recovery documentation produced or altered, including Service Diagrams, is valid. This should be handed over to the relevant support areas.
  • Any component is affected by the failure, should show recommended order of restart, time to complete, etc.

Conclusion:

In Software Engineering, Operational Testing makes sure that the system and component’s compliance in the application’s standard operating environment (SOE). The Full form of OAT is Operational Acceptance Testing.

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Test Plan Template – Software Testing

A Test Plan is an elaborate document that describes the test approach, purpose, plan, estimation, results, and resources required for testing. It assists us in regulating the effort required to verify the quality of the application under test. The Test Plan acts as a layout to implement Software Testing activities as a defined process that is closely observed and supervised by the Test Manager.

Who Prepares the Test Plan Template?

The Test Lead or Test Manager prepares the Test Plan template. Testers are also involved in the procedure of writing test plan templates. After the test plan is written, the testers will write test scenarios and test cases depending on the test plan document.

Purpose of Test Plan

The key purpose of a Test Plan is to build documentation that defines how the tester will prove that the software works as it should. 

  • The document should detail what is required to be tested, how it will be tested, and who is in charge of testing.
  • It acts as a layout to implement software testing activities as a defined process.
  • By putting up a test plan, all team persons can work together and communicate their parts to each other.

How to Prepare an Effective Test Plan Template?

The following steps are to be considered for writing a good test plan template:

  • Know about the product.
  • Create a testing strategy.
  • Describe the testing scope.
  • Build a Test Environment.
  • Identify the types of testing.
  • Describe the objectives of testing.
  • Estimate major dangers and defects.
  • Define roles and responsibilities.
  • Calculation and Schedule.
  • Set up the Test Deliverables.

Test Plan Template Format

The below Test Plan template should be followed:

(Software’s name) Prepared By:  (List of names who prepared this) (Date)

1. Introduction

  • 1.1 Test Plan Objectives
  • 2.1 Data Entry
  • 2.2 Reports File Transfer
  • 2.3 File Transfer
  • 2.4 Security

3. Test Strategy

  • 3.1 System Test
  • 3.2 Performance Test
  • 3.3 Security Test
  • 3.4 Automated Test
  • 3.5 Stress and Volume Test
  • 3.6 Recovery Test
  • 3.7 Documentation Test
  • 3.8 Beta Test
  • 3.9 User Acceptance Test

4. Environment Requirements

  • 4.1 Data Entry Workstations
  • 4.2 Mainframe

5. Test Schedule

6. control procedures.

  • 6.1 Reviews
  • 6.2 Bug Review Meetings
  • Change Request
  • Defect Reporting

7. Functions to be Tested

8. Resources and Responsibilities

  • 8.1 Resources
  • 8.2 Responsibilities

9. Deliverables

10. Suspension/ Exit Criteria

11. Resumption Criteria

12. dependencies.

  • 12.1 Personal Dependencies
  • 12.2 Software Dependencies
  • 12.3 Hardware Dependencies
  • 12.4 Test Data & Database
  • 13.1 Schedule
  • 13.2 Technical
  • 13.3 Management
  • 13.4 Personnel
  • 13.5 Requirements

15. Documentation

16. approvals.

Below is the test plan template discussed in detail:

It is a short synopsis of the software that is being tested, test strategies, procedures, the flow of work, and methods needed for the project. It highlights every function at a high level.

1.1. Test Plan Objectives

It describes all the purposes carried out by the Master Test Plan. It lists every task made by this test plan. List all the goals that you aim to finish with manual and automation testing. Some goals of testing your project can be:

  • Make sure the Application Under Test satisfies functional and non-functional conditions.
  • Make sure the AUT lives up to the quality conditions described by the client.
  • Bugs or defects are found and fixed before going live.

Scope describes the modules and functional or non-functional components of the software that need to be tested. Out Of Scope describes the modules, functional or non-functional components of the software that need not be tested. This section defines what is to be tested, which feature is new to every function of a particular product, its current interfaces, and the interlinking of all functions.

Detail here on how you will finish the items that you have listed in this Scope part.

  • 2.1. Data Entry: This is the process of inputting details into this test plan.
  • 2.2. Reports File Transfer: The reports in the file transfer section are mentioned here.
  • 2.3. File Transfer: Here files are transferred between two software. A file is moved or copied from one software to another software through a network.
  • 2.4. Security: It describes whether the software is secure or not.
  • Define the whole technique for testing. For every important class of conditions or feature compounds, name the technique that will make sure that these condition compounds are tested enough.
  • Name the important tasks, approaches, and testing tools that are needed to test the designed class of features.
  • The techniques must be defined with adequate details to accept the recognition of the key testing keys and the calculation of the time needed to do all.

3.1. System Test

  • Write what you know about system testing for the project.
  • Name the persons who will be doing system testing on the project. Make a list of all the persons who are responsible for this testing. 
  • Define how to conduct system testing. Name the people who will write the test scripts for unit testing, what should be the series of events of the system testing, and how should be the testing task.

3.2. Performance Test

  • Write your understanding of performance testing for the project.
  • Name the people who will conduct performance testing on the project. Make a note of all the persons responsible for this task.
  • Define how to conduct performance testing. Name the people who will write the test scripts, what should be the series of events of the performance testing, and how should be the testing task.

3.3. Security Test

  • This is a procedure to find defects in the security application of an information system that secures data and manages functionality as required.
  • Name the people who will conduct security testing on the project. Make a note of all the persons responsible for this task.
  • Define how to conduct security testing. Name the people who will write the test scripts, what should be the series of events of the security testing, and how should be the testing task.

3.4. Automated Test

  • This testing is the application of testing tools to automate a manual procedure of verifying and validating software.
  • Name the people who will conduct automation testing on the project. Make a note of all the persons responsible for this testing.

3.5. Stress and Volume Test

  • Stress testing is a type of performance testing that will happen when you push your app, API, or software to the higher limits of its capacity. Volume testing is a kind of software testing that is done to test a software application with a definite portion of data.
  • Define how to conduct stress and volume testing. Name the people who will write the test scripts, what should be the series of events of the stress and volume testing, and how should be the testing task.

3.6. Recovery Test

  • It is the task of testing how well software will recover from crashes, hardware collapses, and other problems. It is the imposed defeat of the software in numerous ways to validate that recovery is correctly happening.
  • Name the people who will conduct recovery testing on the project. Make a note of all the persons responsible for this testing.

3.7. Documentation Test

  • It is non-functional testing. It is black-box testing that makes sure that documentation, about how to use the software matches what the software does, giving evidence that software modifications and improvements have been documented.
  • Name the people who will do documentation testing on the project. Make a note of all the persons responsible for this task. 

3.8. Beta Test

  • Beta testing is the last round of testing before releasing software to larger customers.
  • It is a chance for actual end-users to use the software in a production environment to expose any bugs or defects in a normal release.

3.9. User Acceptance Test

  • The user acceptance test aims to check whether the software is ready for operational use or not. During this test, end-users of the software compare the software to its initial conditions.
  • Name the people who will conduct user acceptance testing on the project. Make a note of all the persons responsible for this task.
  • Define how to conduct user acceptance testing. Name the people who will write the test scripts, what should be the series of events for the user acceptance testing, and how should be the testing task.

4.1. Data Entry Workstations It names the minimum hardware essentials that will be used to test the application. The below software is essential as well as client-specific software.

  • Windows 8 and above
  • Office 2013 and above
  • MS Exchange.

4.2 MainFrame It specifies the essentials and desired effects of the test environment. The particular must consist of the physical attributes of the equipment, and also the hardware, the communications, and system software, the usage model, and other software or collections that are essential to perform the test. Define the level of safety that needs to be given for the test equipment, system software, and exclusive components such as software, data, and hardware. Validate the testing tools that are needed especially. Calculate the source of every need that is not in your group at present.

Every test milestone found in the Software Project Schedule and every unit transmittal event are included here. 

  • Describe any extra test milestones that are needed. 
  • Calculate the time needed to finish every testing task. 
  • Define the schedule for every testing job and test landmark. For every testing facility, describe its duration of use.
  • 6.1 Reviews – A review is a step-by-step inspection of a document by one or more persons with the major goal of identifying and solving defects in the initial stages of the software development life cycle. Reviews are used to validate documents like requirements, system designs, code, test plans, and test cases.  
  • 6.2 Bug Review Meetings – A bug review meeting is an official meeting where all the bugs of the existing module are briefed and met. This meeting normally gathers the major stakeholders who represent the various groups involved in agile software development, engineering, quality assurance, support, product owner, and scrum master.  
  • 6.3 Change Request – Detail the procedure of changes to the software in a document. Allocate who will work on the modifications and what will be the basis for adding the modifications to the existing software. Suppose, the modifications are affecting the current programs, then these modules must be verified.  
  • 6.4 Defect Reporting – Detail the process to be followed when an incident happens during the testing procedure in a document. If you are using a standard form, a blank copy should be attached as an “Appendix” to the Test Plan. Write down the process, if you are using an automated incident logging system in the testing. Defect reporting tools must be provided to testers.

7. Functions To Be Tested

Verify every software attribute and combination of the software modules that need to be tested.

8.1. Resources: The following resources will be used:

  • Server: requires a database server that installs MySQL server and a web server that installs Apache server.
  • Test tool: Create a testing tool that will auto-generate the test output to the destined form and automated test performance.
  • Network: create a network with a LAN gigabit and 1 internet line with a speed of at least 5 Mb/s.
  • Computer: At least four computers that will run on Windows 7, RAM 2GB, CPU 3.4GHZ.

8.2. Responsibilities Make a note of all the staff members who are in this Test Project and what are their roles. Name the groups for managing, designing, preparing, executing, and resolving the test activities and relevant issues. Name the persons for providing the test environment. They may include developers, testers, operations staff, and testing services.

Detail tasks of various members of the team like:

  • QA Analyst.
  • Test Manager.
  • Configuration Manager.
  • Developers.

The installation team has to be mentioned here.

The tasks are defined as:

  • Test Manager: Supervises the complete project, describes project ways, and attains correct resources.
  • Test: Naming and defining appropriate test techniques or tools or automation framework, validating and evaluating the Test Approach, performing the tests, logging results, and reporting the bugs.
  • Developer in Test: Performing the test cases, test program, and test suite.
  • Test Administrator: Develop and make sure the test environment and assets are supervised and managed and support testers to use the test environment for execution of the test.
  • SQA members: They are in charge of quality assurance, they will make sure the testing process is meeting the specified requirements.

Recognize the major deliverable documents. Detail all the test deliverables during various stages of the testing. The simple deliverables are the test plan, test cases, requirement traceability matrix, defect reports, the strategy of testing, metrics of testing, and user sign-off. Test deliverables are provided below:

Before Testing Phase

  • Test plan document
  • Test cases document
  • Test design specification

During the Testing Phase

  • Simulators of testing tools
  • Data required for testing
  • Traceability Matrix of testing
  • Defects logs and performance logs.

After the Testing Cycle is Completed

  • Results or reports of testing
  • Bug reporting
  • Guidelines for installation or test process
  • Release documents

10. Suspension / Exit Criteria

These criteria describe the criteria to be used to hold off on a portion of the testing process.

These criteria define when testing can restart after it has been on hold.

Here, the requirements of the application are examined before the current software, early stages to test the correct functionality. Recognize notable limitations on testing, such as test item availability, testing resource availability, and deadlines. Also, identify personnel, software, hardware, test data, and database dependencies.

  • 12.1 Personnel Dependencies: Requirements depend on individuals in a testing team.
  • 12.2 Software Dependencies: Requirements depend on the software or product here.
  • 12.3 Hardware Dependencies: Here, requirements depend on hardware components.
  • 12.3 Test Data & Database: The testing here depends on the Data to be tested and the database.

We define the chances of risks and chances to avoid those risks. Recognize major-risk calculations in the test plan. Identify possible plans for each one. (Suppose, if there is a delay in the delivery of test items, then it requires work on nights and weekends to meet the delivery date).

13.1. Schedule: The release date for the project gets passed when the risks and tasks are not calculated correctly. This will affect the project and can lead to failure of the project and marks on company finances. Schedule risks occur due to the following reasons:

  • The delivery time is calculated improperly.
  • Resources tracing is not done correctly. These resources consist of software, staff, and the abilities of the employee.
  • The compound tasks are not calculated correctly. Hence time calculation is not made properly.

13.2. Technical: Because of the shortage of performance and execution of functionalities, technical risks occur. Factors causing technical risks are:

  • Continuous enhancements in the software requirements.
  • Technology development is not available.
  • Compound software process.
  • Integration of components is tough.

13.3. Management: Causes of management risks:

  • Deficiency in resources
  • No proper planning of resources
  • No communication within the team.

13.4. Personnel: Causes of personnel risks:

  • Failure to address priority disputes.
  • Failure to solve burdens.
  • No correct training in the subject.

13.5 Requirements: Causes of requirement risks:

  • Requirements that are not clear
  • Requirements that are not complete
  • Clashing requirements
  • Impractical requirements
  • Not enough verification
  • Assumptions that are not valid

Identify the testing tools that you are going to use in the project. Name the Bug tracking tools also.

Requirements, designs, business conditions, configurations, software changes, test plans, test cases, defects reports, and user manuals, may be documented here.

List the names and titles of all the members who need to accept this plan. Give enough space for the signatures and dates.

A convincing test plan is a very important part of the development project preparation. The test plan document should be clear, short, and modified to changes in the plan or environment. This will make sure each one on your team is striving towards the same aim and that nothing gets missed along the way.

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Free Operational Plan Templates

By Andy Marker | July 11, 2022

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We’ve rounded up the most useful collection of free organizational plan templates to record and track the goals and resource needs of your business or organization. 

Included on this page, you’ll find a basic operational plan template , a nonprofit operational plan template , a three-year operational plan template , and a five-year operational plan template .

Basic Operational Plan Template

Basic Operational Plan Template

Download Basic Operational Plan Template Microsoft Excel | Microsoft Word  

Use this basic, customizable operational plan template to create a detailed roadmap for your organization. With this template, the path to reaching your goals will be clear to all stakeholders, and team members will know exactly what tasks need to be completed and when. 

Having efficient and clear processes in place is critical for reaching your organizational goals. Learn more in this guide to operational excellence principles .

Nonprofit Operational Plan Template

Nonprofit Operational Plan Template

Download Nonprofit Operational Plan Template Microsoft Excel | Microsoft Word

Nonprofit organizations often have complex, long-term strategic goals. This operational plan template for nonprofits will help you develop a clear set of tasks and accountability measures to keep everyone apprised of next steps. Use this template to identify your goals, establish a clear plan, set and track your budgets, assign stakeholders, and implement reporting protocols. 

This guide to operations strategies will give you an overview of the steps necessary to develop a comprehensive plan for your organization.

Three-Year Operational Plan Template

3-Year Operational Plan Template

Download Three-Year Operational Plan Template — Microsoft Excel  

Your operational plan might include long-term tasks and deliverables. Use this operational plan template to chart your organization’s needs over a three-year period. Enter specific goals, delivery dates, responsibilities, and necessary resources on this customizable template to track progress and ensure that you are on your way to reaching your strategic goals. 

Your business or organization might also benefit from an operational audit, which is a chance to conduct a deep dive into strategic planning and to increase accountability. See this comprehensive guide to operational audits to learn more and gain access to additional resources and templates.

Five-Year Operational Plan Template

5-Year Operational Plan Template

Download Five-Year Operational Plan Template — Microsoft Excel  

Long-term planning is a key element of any organization. This five-year operational plan template gives you a detailed look at the steps and resources needed to reach your goals. Track deliverables, responsible parties, and resources in this customizable template. This template also helps team members visualize long-term needs and stay on top of their responsibilities and timelines. 

See this guide to operations management for more information, tips, tricks, and future trends in managing your organizational resources.

What Is an Operational Plan Template?

An operational plan template is a form that captures key details about a work plan. An operational plan includes specific actions and resources needed to reach certain milestones. It is more detailed and specific than a strategic or business plan.

Operational plans help project managers identify resource needs, maintain accountability, implement a reporting process, and maintain a budget.

Operational plan templates templates vary by type but typically include the following:

  • Delivery Date: Enter target completion dates for each task in your plan.
  • Evidence of Success: Write a short statement explaining how you will know when the goal has been achieved. 
  • Executive Summary: Describe the plan in a short paragraph that specifies how it differs from or relates to other plans in your organization.
  • Goals: Enter specific goals or milestones of your larger strategy or business plan.
  • Responsible Parties: Include the names of the stakeholders who are responsible for each task.
  • Resources Needed: Enter all resources necessary to complete each task, including on-hand resources and those you will need to procure.
  • Risks: Note any risks you may encounter.
  • Title: Enter the plan name or title.

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The Smartsheet platform makes it easy to plan, capture, manage, and report on work from anywhere, helping your team be more effective and get more done. Report on key metrics and get real-time visibility into work as it happens with roll-up reports, dashboards, and automated workflows built to keep your team connected and informed. 

When teams have clarity into the work getting done, there’s no telling how much more they can accomplish in the same amount of time.  Try Smartsheet for free, today.

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Operational Planning: How to Make an Operations Plan

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The operations of your business can be defined as the sum of all the daily activities that you and your team execute to create products or services and engage with your customers, among other critical business functions. While organizing these moving parts might sound difficult, it can be easily done by writing a business operational plan. But before we learn how to make one, let’s first understand what’s the relationship between strategic and operational planning.

Operational Planning vs. Strategic Planning

Operational planning and strategic planning are complementary to each other. This is because strategic plans define the business strategy and the long-term goals for your organization, while operational plans define the steps required to achieve them.

What Is a Strategic Plan?

A strategic plan is a business document that describes the business goals of a company as well as the high-level actions that will be taken to achieve them over a time period of 1-3 years.

What Is an Operational Plan?

Operational plans map the daily, weekly or monthly business operations that’ll be executed by the department to complete the goals you’ve previously defined in your strategic plan. Operational plans go deeper into explaining your business operations as they explain roles and responsibilities, timelines and the scope of work.

Operational plans work best when an entire department buys in, assigning due dates for tasks, measuring goals for success, reporting on issues and collaborating effectively. They work even better when there’s a platform like ProjectManager , which facilitates communication across departments to ensure that the machine is running smoothly as each team reaches its benchmark. Get started with ProjectManager for free today.

Gantt chart with operational plan

What Is Operational Planning?

Operational planning is the process of turning strategic plans into action plans, which simply means breaking down high-level strategic goals and activities into smaller, actionable steps. The main goal of operational planning is to coordinate different departments and layers of management to ensure the whole organization works towards the same objective, which is achieving the goals set forth in the strategic plan .

How to Make an Operational Plan

There’s no single approach to follow when making an operation plan for your business. However, there’s one golden rule in operations management : your strategic and operational plans must be aligned. Based on that principle, here are seven steps to make an operational plan.

  • Map business processes and workflows: What steps need to be taken at the operations level to accomplish long-term strategic goals?
  • Set operational-level goals: Describe what operational-level goals contribute to the achievement of larger strategic goals.
  • Determine the operational timeline: Is there any time frame for the achievement of the operational plan?
  • Define your resource requirements: Estimate what resources are needed for the execution of the operational plan.
  • Estimate the operational budget: Based on your resource requirements, estimate costs and define an operational budget.
  • Set a hiring plan: Are there any skills gaps that need to be filled in your organization?
  • Set key performance indicators: Define metrics and performance tracking procedures to measure your team’s performance.

operational test plan template

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Operational Plan Template

Use this free Operational Plan Template for Word to manage your projects better.

What Should be Included in an Operational Plan?

Your operational plan should describe your business operations as accurately as possible so that internal teams know how the company works and how they can help achieve the larger strategic objectives. Here’s a list of some of the key elements that you’ll need to consider when writing an operational plan.

Executive Summary

An executive summary is a brief document that summarizes the content of larger documents like business plans, strategic plans or operation plans. Their main purpose is to provide a quick overview for busy stakeholders.

Operational Budget

An operational budget is an estimation of the expected operating costs and revenues for a given time period. As with other types of budget, the operational budget defines the amount of money that’s available to acquire raw materials, equipment or anything else that’s needed for business operations.

It’s important to limit your spending to stay below your operational budget, otherwise, your company could run out of resources to execute its normal activities. You can use our free operating budget template for Excel to track your operating costs.

Operational Objectives

It’s essential to align your operational objectives with your strategic objectives. For example, if one of your strategic objectives is to increase sales by 25 percent over the next three years, one possible operational objective would be to hire new sales employees. You should always grab your strategic plan objectives and turn them into one or multiple action items .

Processes & Workflows

Explain the various business processes, workflows and tasks that need to be executed to achieve your operational objectives. Make sure to explain what resources are needed, such as raw materials, equipment or human resources.

Operational Timeline

It’s important to establish a timeline for your operational plan. In most cases, your operational plan will have the same length as your strategic plan, but in some scenarios, you might create multiple operational plans for specific purposes. Not all operational plans are equal, so the length of your operational timeline will depend on the duration of your projects , workflows and processes.

Hiring Plan

Find any skills gap there might be in your team. You might need to hire a couple of individuals or even create new departments in order to execute your business processes .

Quality Assurance and Control

Most companies implement quality assurance and control procedures for a variety of reasons such as customer safety and regulatory compliance. In addition, quality assurance issues can cost your business millions, so establishing quality management protocols is a key step in operational planning.

Key Performance Indicators

It’s important to establish key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the productivity of your business operations. You can define as many KPIs as needed for all your business processes. For example, you can define KPIs for marketing, sales, product development and other key departments in your company. This can include product launch deadlines, number of manufactured goods, number of customer service cases closed, number of 5-star reviews received, number of customers acquired, revenue increased by a certain percentage and so on.

Risks, Assumptions and Constraints

Note any potential risks, assumptions and time or resource constraints that might affect your business operations.

Free Operational Plan Template

Leverage everything you’ve learned today with our template. This free operational plan template for Word will help you define your budget, timeline, KPIs and more. It’s the perfect first step in organizing and improving your operations. Download it today.

ProjectManager's free operational plan template for Word.

What Are the Benefits of Operational Planning?

Every plan has a massive effect on all team members involved, and those can be to your company’s benefit or to their detriment. If it’s to their detriment, it’s best to find out as soon as possible so you can modify your operational plan and pivot with ease.

But that’s the whole point of operational planning: you get to see the effect of your operations on the business’s bottom line in real time, or at every benchmark, so you know exactly when to pivot. And with a plan that’s as custom to each department as an operational plan, you know exactly where things go wrong and why.

How ProjectManager Can Help with Operational Planning

Creating and implementing a high-quality operational plan is the best way to ensure that your organization starts out a project on the right foot. ProjectManager has award-winning project management tools to help you craft and execute such a plan.

Gantt charts are essential to create and monitor operational plans effectively. ProjectManager helps you access your Gantt chart online so you can add benchmarks for operational performance reviews. You can also create tasks along with dependencies to make the operation a surefire success.

A screenshot of a gantt chart in ProjectManager

Whether you’re a team of IT system administrators, marketing experts, or engineers, ProjectManager includes robust planning and reporting tools. Plan in sprints, assign due dates, collaborate with team members and track everything with just the click of a button. Plus, we have numerous ready-made project reports that can be generated instantly, including status reports, variance reports, timesheet reports and more.

project status report builder

Related Operations Management Content

  • Operational Strategy: A Quick Guide
  • Operations Management: Key Functions, Roles and Skills
  • Operational Efficiency: A Quick Guide
  • Using Operational Excellence to Be More Productive

Operational planning isn’t done in a silo, and it doesn’t work without the full weight of the team backing it up. Ensure that your department is successful at each benchmark. ProjectManager is an award-winning pm software dedicated to helping businesses smooth out their operational plans for a better year ahead. Sign up for our free 30-day trial today.

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Operational planning can be defined as the process of planning important and necessary goals to calculate how an organization operates towards success. Depending on the nature of tasks and projects , operational plans are developed. There are many plan templates available on our website for you to check out the best one and use it to create the right plan for your business.

operational test plan template

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Step 1: Market Research

Step 2: goals and objectives, step 3: leading indicators, step 4: communicate, step 5: monitor your progress.

  • Clear objectives
  • Desired outcomes
  • Financial requirements
  • Key targets and key performance indicators
  • Risk assessment
  • Staffing and resource requirements
  • Implementation and monitoring progress
  • Standing plans: These are designed to be used again and again (such as policies, procedures, and regulations)
  • Single-use plans: These refer to plans that are mostly a one-time project or event .

More in Plan Templates

Operational plan example template, temporary restaurant operational plan template, manufacturing and operation plan template, bank operation plan template, operations manual template, club operational plan template, corporate project operational plan template.

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COMMENTS

  1. How To Create A Test Plan (Steps, Examples, & Template)

    How To Create A Test Plan (Steps, Examples, & Template) by Hannah Son | August 21st, 2023 In software development, a test plan defines your testing team's test strategy, goals, and scope, which ultimately work together to ensure that all your software components are tested sufficiently before a release.

  2. PDF Test Plan Author's Guide 2020

    412 TW test plan template. First-time authors should read this handbook before attempt ing to use the template, as this handbook contains basic test plan philosophy. ... developmental test and evaluation [DT&E]/operational test and evaluation [OT&E] combined test plans or joint service test plans). Additionally, test teams may choose from a ...

  3. What is a Test Plan? Complete Guide With Examples

    It describes the objectives of testing (what are you planning to verify and/or validate), the scope of testing (what will and will not be tested), together with the general and sometimes detailed schedule of the activities you want to perform (how and when are you testing).

  4. Sample Test Plan Document (Test Plan Example with Details of Each Field)

    Sample Test Plan template is available in this tutorial for download. Each and every field included in the test plan in explained in a step by step manner for your easy understanding. ... Definition: The purpose of the acceptance test is to confirm that the system is ready for operational use. During the Acceptance Test, end-users (customers ...

  5. PDF Test Plan Author'S Guide

    This handbook is a companion to the 412 TW Test Plan Template. First-time authors should read this handbook before attempting to use the template, as this handbook contains basic test plan ... (DT)/operational test (OT) combined test plans or joint service test plans). Additionally, test teams may ...

  6. Software Test Plans: A Complete Guide with Templates

    Several things must be included in a software test plan template to ensure your team gets the most out of it. These include: 1. Test Identification Planner. A test identification planner uniquely identifies a software test plan. It usually contains the following details: Some form of a unique company-generated number to identify the test plan

  7. Test Plan Template (Sample Document Example)

    Test Plan Template is a detailed document that describes the test strategy, objectives, schedule, estimation and deliverables, and resources required for testing. Test Plan helps us determine the effort needed to validate the quality of the application under test.

  8. A Complete Test Plan Tutorial: A Comprehensive Guide With Example

    Selecting testing tools If you want to delve deeper into these points, you can explore them further in the latter part of this blog. What is a Test Plan? A test plan is a comprehensive document outlining the strategy, scope, and objectives of software testing.

  9. What is Operational Testing: Quick Guide With Examples

    Operational testing helps evaluate the operational readiness of a product, service, or application that forms an integral part of quality. You tend to consider the operational aspects that can be a major differentiator in the long run. These aspects are addressed as part of the pre-release before the changes are deployed on the production server.

  10. Software Test Plan Template

    Disaster and Recovery ( DR) Software Test Plan Template can be defined as the documentation which illustrates an organized proposition of testing a specific system that can be a device, machine, or software.

  11. Operational Test & Evaluation (OT&E)

    Operational Test and Evaluation (OT&E) ( 10 USC 4171) is a fielded test, under realistic combat conditions, for a Major Defense Program (MDP) of any item or component of a weapons system, equipment, or munitions for the purposes of determining its operational effectiveness and operational suitability for combat.

  12. Operational Acceptance Testing (OAT) Guide: A Comprehensive Overview

    Operational Acceptance Testing (OAT) is a pivotal phase in the software development lifecycle. It ensures that a system is functionally correct and ready for real-world operations in a production environment. OAT evaluates the system's performance, reliability, and stability, ensuring it meets technical and business requirements.

  13. PDF Air Force Test and Evaluation Guide

    accomplish at any given moment. Air Force Operational Test & Evaluation Center (AFOTEC) may not be involved in the early design of testing for a DT&E test plan; however, an office like Joint Interoperability Test Command (JITC) may be heavily involved depending on your system. Make sure you know all the players on the field.

  14. Test and Evaluation Master Plan (TEMP)

    Developmental, operational, and live fire test objectives and test metrics. Program schedule with T&E events and reporting requirements that incorporate report generation timelines. Test phase objectives, including entrance and exit criteria and cybersecurity test objectives. Program decisions and data requirements to support those decisions.

  15. Operational Testing

    Planning Test Events. For all programs under T&E oversight, including accelerated acquisitions, the DOT&E will approve OTPs and LFTPs before the corresponding operational or major live fire test events in accordance with Section 2399, Title 10, U.S.C. and DoDD 5141.02.The DOT&E will approve any LFTP for a major test event, such as full-up system-level test, total ship survivability trial, or ...

  16. PDF Test and Evaluation Master Plan Template for Investment Programs

    Test and Evaluation Master Plan Template for Investment Programs . Version 6.0, January 2021 . TEST AND EVALUATION MASTER PLAN T ... Director, and the Operational Test (OT) Director. Document Title: (Preliminary, Initial or Final) Test and Evaluation Master Plan for Program Name. Director of Test Service Organization (or equivalent) Org code ...

  17. Operational Acceptance Testing (OAT) Example

    Operational Acceptance Testing (OAT) is a software testing technique which evaluates the operational readiness of a software application prior to the release or production. The goal of Operational acceptance testing is ensuring system and component compliance and smooth system operation in its Standard Operating Environment (SOE).

  18. Test Plan Template

    Below is the test plan template discussed in detail: 1. Introduction. It is a short synopsis of the software that is being tested, test strategies, procedures, the flow of work, and methods needed for the project. ... The user acceptance test aims to check whether the software is ready for operational use or not. During this test, end-users of ...

  19. Free Operational Plan Templates

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  20. PDF Defense Acquisition Guide

    The principles and practices in this chapter apply to all acquisition programs regardless of size or cost; however, some aspects focus on acquisition programs of sufficient interest, cost, size, complexity, or need for interoperability, requiring oversight by the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD): the OSD T&E Oversight List. 9.0.2. Contents

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    Use this free Operational Plan Template for Word to manage your projects better. Download Word File What Should be Included in an Operational Plan? Your operational plan should describe your business operations as accurately as possible so that internal teams know how the company works and how they can help achieve the larger strategic objectives.

  22. T&E Document Templates

    To obtain a copy of any of the document templates please send an email to COTF Policy Division : This is an official United States Navy Website. This US Government system is subject to monitoring. ... Operational Test & Evaluation Force 7970 Diven Street Norfolk, VA 23505 757-457-6018 (DSN) 456 Contact the Webmaster Contact the PAO

  23. FREE 47+ Operational Plan Templates in MS Word

    47+ Operational Plan Templates Formal Operational Plan Template Details File Format MS Word Google Docs Apple Pages PDF Download Now Free Operational Plan Example Template Details File Format MS Word Google Docs Apple Pages PDF Download Now Operational Plan For Project Report Template Details File Format MS Word Google Docs Apple Pages