TEST PLAN

CHECKLIST
VERSION 1.0
 TEST PLAN CHECKLIST

This template was created to enable departments to more easily develop their project
plans. The Department of Technology, Consulting and Planning Division, created this
template based on its experiences. The template relies on industry best practices
combined with decades of experience on California state information technology
projects. The way it was structured is to enable a department to complete the
information related to its project without having to write background information
related to the discipline. A department may use as much or as little of the template as it
wishes.

Template Instructions:  

 Instructions for completing this template – written for the author of the project
plan - are encased in [ ] and the text is italicized and bolded.
 Examples are provided as a guideline to the type of sample information presented
in each section and the text is italicized.
 Boilerplate standard language for each section is written in the document font and
may be used or modified, as necessary.    
 A department’s project specific information goes within the brackets << >>.
 Informational text is italicized within square brackets [ ] for informational purposes
to the person who has to create the plan and includes background information,
explanation, rationale, etc.

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DOCUMENT HISTORY
DOCUMENT APPROVAL HISTORY

Prepared By

Reviewed By
<<The person designated to review the contents of the test plan
for completeness (e.g., Test Lead, Test Manager) is responsible for
Approved By
approving the checklist. Insert name(s) here and have them sign.
>>
DOCUMENT REVISION HISTORY
DOCUMENT
DATE REVISION DESCRIPTION AUTHOR
VERSION
02/06/2015 1.0 Initial Version J. Fong

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. INTRODUCTION............................................................................................................................ 1

2. SAMPLE TEST PLAN CHECKLIST.............................................................................................. 1

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 TEST PLAN CHECKLIST

1. INTRODUCTION
This checklist is intended to be used by reviewers to verify the completeness of a project’s
Master Test Plan. These questions cover a wide range of information that might be present
in a Master Test Plan. As such, not every question may be relevant to the verification of a
project’s specific Master Test Plan and the lack of an answer to any question may not
constitute a defect in the Plan.

1. SAMPLE TEST PLAN CHECKLIST

[The checklist items marked with an “*” are recommended questions or subject
categories that should be clearly addressed in a Master Test Plan.]

COMMENT /
ITEM
#
QUESTION RESPONSE AREA TO
ADDRESS

DOCUMENT FORMAT
1 Does the document contain the following ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐
topics? N/A
 Test Plan Identifier *
 Introduction or Overview *
 Test Items *
 Features To Be Tested or
Retested *
 Features Not To Be Tested *
 Test Approach/Strategy *
 Pass/Fail Criteria *
 Suspension and Resumption
Criteria *
 Test Deliverables *
 Testing Tasks *
 Environmental Needs *
 Roles and Responsibilities *
 Schedule *
 Staffing and Training Needs *
 Defect Reporting *
 Metrics and Reporting *
 Risks and Contingencies *
 Approvals *
2 Has the test plan been reviewed, approved, ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐
and signed-off?* N/A

Page 1 of 9
 COMMENT /
ITEM
#
QUESTION RESPONSE AREA TO
ADDRESS

INTRODUCTION /OVERVIEW
Does the Introduction or Overview include ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐
1
the objectives of the testing effort? * N/A
Does the Introduction or Overview include
2 or reference the background of the project? ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐
* N/A

Does the Introduction or Overview have a ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐

3
glossary? N/A
Does the Introduction or Overview include ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐
4
the scope of the testing effort? * N/A
Are the project test dependencies, ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐
5
assumptions, and constraints identified? * N/A
Do the dependencies, assumptions, and ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐
6
constraints match the overall project plans? N/A
Does the test plan describe the mechanism
7 for test stakeholder communication during ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐
the project? * N/A

Does the test plan have a unique test

8 identifier to keep track of the most current ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐
document version? * N/A

TEST ITEMS
1 Are all functions, user screens, and ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐
navigation to be tested identified? * N/A
Are references to other documents (e.g.,
2 requirements) including their version level ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐
documented in the test plan (e.g., N/A
hyperlink)?*
3 Are Business Processes to be tested ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐
identified? * N/A
4 Are System Interfaces to be tested ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐
identified?* N/A
5 Are all test items appropriate? ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐

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 COMMENT /
ITEM
#
QUESTION RESPONSE AREA TO
ADDRESS

N/A
FEATURES TO BE TESTED OR RETESTED
Are the features to be tested or retested ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐
1 identified (e.g., reporting, data conversion, N/A
and end-to-end process)? *
FEATURES NOT TO BE TESTED
1 Are reasons given for not testing these ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐
features? * N/A
2 Are the reasons for "features not to be ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐
tested" valid? N/A
TEST APPROACH /STRATEGY
1 ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐
Is the test approach explained? *
N/A
2 Are the entry criteria for each test phase ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐
documented? * N/A
3 Are the exit criteria for each test phase ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐
documented? * N/A
4 Is the test verification approach explained ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐
(e.g., code reviews, review sessions)? * N/A
5 Are the build sequences for the product to ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐
be tested identified? N/A
Are the levels of testing to be done
6 ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐
identified (e.g., unit, module, object,
N/A
integration, usability, system)? *
Are the different types of system level tests
7 identified (e.g., Ad-Hoc, Functional, ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐
Algorithmic, Database, Recovery, Security, N/A
Safety)?
Are tests planned to address every
8 ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐
requirement including non-functional
N/A
requirements? *
9 ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐
Are test automation plans identified? *
N/A
10 Are performance tests planned and ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐
identified?* N/A
For each interface, is an interface test ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐
11
identified? * N/A
12 Are regression tests planned throughout ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐

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 COMMENT /
ITEM
#
QUESTION RESPONSE AREA TO
ADDRESS

the test phase? * N/A

For each test level, are appropriate tools
identified (e.g.,, static analyzer, debugger, ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐
13
capture/playback, simulators, terminals, N/A
storage)? *
☐ Yes ☐ No ☐
14 Are reliability tests planned? *
N/A
☐ Yes ☐ No ☐
15 Are load and stress tests planned? *
N/A
☐ Yes ☐ No ☐
16 Is operational testing planned? *
N/A
☐ Yes ☐ No ☐
17 Is there a plan to validate documentation? *
N/A
☐ Yes ☐ No ☐
18 Is there an installation test planned? *
N/A
Is there a plan to test upward or downward ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐
19
compatibility? * N/A
Does the plan discuss use of external
☐ Yes ☐ No ☐
20 testing services, customers, contractors, or
N/A
third party testers? *
☐ Yes ☐ No ☐
21 Is the test approach suitable?
N/A
PASS/FAIL CRITERIA
Does the plan discuss how the pass/fail ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐
1 criteria for tests will be determined? * N/A

Does the plan discuss how expected ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐

2 results will be determined? N/A

Does the plan discuss how disputes will be ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐

3 arbitrated? * N/A

☐ Yes ☐ No ☐
4 Are the criteria reasonable?
N/A

SUSPENSION AND RESUMPTION CRITERIA

Does the plan discuss under what ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐
1 conditions testing will be suspended? * N/A

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 COMMENT /
ITEM
#
QUESTION RESPONSE AREA TO
ADDRESS

Does the plan discuss under what ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐

2 conditions testing will be resumed? * N/A

Does the plan identify the resource(s) that

☐ Yes ☐ No ☐
3 is (are) authorized to suspend testing
N/A
efforts? *

Does the plan identify the resource(s) that ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐

4 is (are) authorized to resume test activities N/A
resulting from the suspension of testing? *

Does the plan identify exit criteria for each ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐

test phase (i.e., release to customer, N/A
5 release to beta sites, and release from
development to test)? *

Are the suspension criteria and the ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐

6 resumption criteria reasonable? N/A

TEST DELIVERABLES
Does the plan identify all deliverable items
☐ Yes ☐ No ☐
1 (e.g., test design, test procedures, test
N/A
reports)? *

Are dates assigned to the test ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐

2 deliverables? * N/A

Is a responsible individual assigned for ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐

3 each test deliverable? * N/A

TESTING TASKS
Are all testing tasks identified (i.e., test
planning, test case design, test procedure ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐
1 (script) design, test reporting, test result N/A
analysis, test reviews, trend analysis)? *

Are individuals responsible for the testing ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐

2 tasks identified and available? * N/A

Is entrance and exit criteria described for ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐

3 each test cycle? * N/A

ENVIRONMENTAL NEEDS

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 COMMENT /
ITEM
#
QUESTION RESPONSE AREA TO
ADDRESS

Is all hardware required to conduct testing

identified in the plan (e.g., terminals, ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐
1 servers, networks, communication devices, N/A
printers, peripheral devices, emulators)? *

Is hardware scheduled to be set up and ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐

2 debugged prior to the needed dates? N/A

Is all software needed to conduct testing

identified in the plan (i.e., applications, ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐
3 operating systems, communication N/A
software, support software, simulators)? *

Are any security devices needed to conduct ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐

4 testing identified? * N/A

Are all publications and standards ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐

5 necessary to conduct testing identified? * N/A

Has the support group been identified and

available to maintain the test environment
☐ Yes ☐ No ☐
6 and tools (e.g., server, network, database,
N/A
application, desktop, data conversion
hardware)? *

Has configuration and release

☐ Yes ☐ No ☐
7 management and support been considered
N/A
in the test plan? *

Has support for an incident tracking tool ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐

8 been identified? * N/A

Is the required environment available and

reasonable (e.g., unit test, system test, ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐
9 integration test, performance test, user N/A
acceptance test, training)?

Is the source of required test data ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐

10 identified?* N/A

11 Are test environments planned? * ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐

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 COMMENT /
ITEM
#
QUESTION RESPONSE AREA TO
ADDRESS

N/A

☐ Yes ☐ No ☐
12 Is the test lab or test facility identified? *
N/A

Is the required test data available and

reasonable to begin testing (e.g., masked
data, validated data, adequate number of ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐
13 test data for test execution, adequate N/A
volume of test data to ensure test
coverage)?

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Have test stakeholder roles,
☐ Yes ☐ No ☐
1 responsibilities, and communication plans
N/A
been clearly documented in the test plan?

Are the responsibilities of the development ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐

2 group identified during the test phase? * N/A

Are the responsibilities of the test group ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐

3 identified during all project phases? * N/A

Are the responsibilities for configuration ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐

4 management identified? * N/A

☐ Yes ☐ No ☐
5 Is the responsibility for staffing identified? *
N/A

Is the responsibility for training, installation, ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐

6 and customer support identified? * N/A

Is the approval authority for each test level ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐

7 identified? * N/A

If new tools are to be procured, is a

☐ Yes ☐ No ☐
8 selection and implementation plan
N/A
identified?

SCHEDULE

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 COMMENT /
ITEM
#
QUESTION RESPONSE AREA TO
ADDRESS

Has the test schedule been developed

☐ Yes ☐ No ☐
1 using industry standards or prior
N/A
performance?

Is there a plan to determine when testing is ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐

2 complete? * N/A

Are development code baselines controlled ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐

3 separately from the baseline under test? * N/A

Is the test schedule consistent with the ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐

4 project plan? * N/A

Has the test schedule been reviewed and

☐ Yes ☐ No ☐
5 resource loaded to account for the test
N/A
effort? *

Has the test schedule been approved and ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐

6 baselined? * N/A

STAFFING AND TRAINING NEEDS

For each test level, are the human
☐ Yes ☐ No ☐
1 resources and skills required for the project
N/A
clearly identified? *

Has training been identified to provide staff

with the necessary testing skills (e.g.,, ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐
2 testing methodology, product technology, N/A
testing tools, inspections)? *

Has a test artifact repository been identified ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐

in the plan? * N/A
3

DEFECT REPORTING
Does the plan discuss how defects will be
reported and tracked before and after ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐
1
product release? * N/A

2 Does the plan discuss a mechanism to ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐

resolve disputes that may arise over N/A

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 COMMENT /
ITEM
#
QUESTION RESPONSE AREA TO
ADDRESS

defects?*

Are adequate resources planned to repair ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐

3 defects? N/A
Is defect fix verification planned? ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐
4
N/A
Are periodic regression tests planned? ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐
5
N/A
Does the plan discuss how defects will be ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐
6 opened and closed? * N/A
Does the plan describe defect classification
and status (e.g., open, closed, deferred) for ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐
7
trend analysis purposes? * N/A

METRICS AND REPORTING

Does the plan describe the project’s
☐ Yes ☐ No ☐
1 process for test monitoring and reporting
N/A
activities?*

Does the plan identify the specific metrics ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐

2 for monitoring the project’s test progress? * N/A

Do the metrics align with the project’s test ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐

3 approach, goals, and objectives? * N/A

Are the metrics quantifiable to determine

☐ Yes ☐ No ☐
4 whether the project’s test approach, goals,
N/A
and objectives were achieved? *

RISKS AND CONTINGENCIES

Is time allocated to re-test defect fixes ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐
1 made to the code? * N/A
Are contingency plans included? * ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐
2
N/A
Have the required resources for deliverable ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐
3 approval and sign-off been identified? * N/A
Have the project test risks been identified? ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐
4
* N/A

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 COMMENT /
ITEM
#
QUESTION RESPONSE AREA TO
ADDRESS

Has a contingency/mitigation strategy been

5 identified to address each project’s test ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐
risk?* N/A

Have the software testing risks been ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐

6
identified? * N/A
Has a contingency/mitigation strategy been
7 identified to address each software test ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐
risk?* N/A

Have the product’s test risk been identified ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐

8
(i.e., quality)? * N/A
Has a contingency/mitigation strategy been
9 identified to address each product’s test ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐
risk (i.e., quality)? * N/A

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