Authoring Test Cases for Real world entities

Hello,
I come across lot of posts in the forums section on QT especially about test cases.
This is first of its kind on Test Cases, which I will be presenting on Blog.

Agenda : Authoring Test Cases for Real world entities
Introduction : since my career took off in Testing domain, I have been authoring test cases for various domains, platforms, technologies and under different methodologies. I felt like authoring test cases is similar for these and worthy. What I have come to know is there shall be a blue print to author test cases again considering the project constraints (Time, Cost and Effort) where the emphasize is towards.
The step by step approach towards authoring test cases was similar with minor deviations in case of availability or no availability of documents to refer while drafting.

Approach :
I would follow these steps to draft the test cases, which are as follows,
(1) Analyse the Real World entity.
(2) Understand objectivity (functionality).
(3) Identify the functional points
(4) Identify Test Conditions.
(5) Prepare Test Scenarios.
(6) Author test cases.

Detailed Explanation :
Analyse : Check the existing information pertaining to entity, could be anything. If a sample is available would be appropriate to give a look. Check for the shape, size and look and feel of the entity.
Understand Objectivity : By analysing the entity we would draw certain conclusion about its behavior, our sense of knowledge will be help us understand the object better.
Identify the Functional Points : As we come to know the behavior of the application, the uniqueness with respect to the behaviour will be known. Hence its required to check for uniqueness of the functional point.
Identify Test Conditions : The dependencies or rules and regulations which are associated with the functional points are nothing but Test Conditions.
Prepare Test Scenarios :The unique functional flow of the system is to be identified (functional points) and brief description of the flow with associated participants(Actors), data effecting and list of conditions are to be drafted. Test Scenarios help in decomposing the functionality into various Test Levels.
Author Test Cases: Test cases can be drafted from easily from the conditions and scenarios. It’s good to choose a typical test cases template to draft the test cases.

Example: Testing a Kinley water Bottle
As we are not provided with any specific requirements we assume default requirements as the base.
My intention in choosing real world entities as Test objects is that, we are aware of the functionality of the real world objects thus have better understanding of the object and can draft test cases easily.
Following the Approach to Test,
(1) Analyse the Water Bottle:
Give a closer look to the water bottle from top to bottom and finalize certain things like,

Bottle cap, Seal, Label of the manufacturer – Typical Static Testing
(2) Understand objectivity:
Typically a Kinley water bottle is used to store, use drinking water.
(3) Identify the functional points:
Functional points would be
Cap of the bottle
Bottle trunk
(4) Identify Test Conditions:
Test conditions would be
(1) Cap shall be open
(2) Water shall be filled
(3) Bottle shall be lifted to drink
(4) Water in the bottle and capacity of the bottle when full shall match …
(5) Prepare Test Scenarios:
(1) Bottle with cap
(2) Bottle without cap
(3) Label Details
(4) Bottle with water
(5) Bottle without water
(6) Author test cases:
Test cases are to be drafted with references to requirements ; Functional Points ; Test Conditions ; Test Scenarios.
Unit:
Cap, Water, bottle, label, etc … shall be tested separately
Integration:
Each individual unit shall be integrated and tested.
Water poured into bottle with cap,
Water poured into bottle without cap
Bottle with label, cap and water,
Bottle without label, with cap and water,
Bottle without label, without cap and water,
Bottle without label, cap and water, all possible combinations
System :
The complete bottle shall be assembled and tested from end-end against the requirements.
UAT:
The bottle from user’s perspective shall be tested for various quality factors
• More in the series of Authoring test cases is to follow, I appreciate your feedback.
Thanks,
Siddiq

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Comment by kishore on April 10, 2012 at 1:32pm: Simple way to start with is just categorize as below and then expand as much you can:

1. UI [Look and feel, color of the bottle,size and shape of the bottle, graphics of the attached label, logo's, information printed on label like manfactoring date, expiry data,product details...etc]

2. Functional [ check for leakage, correct quantity is filled or not, easy to fill and pour, bottole cap can be easily removed and replaced, check for leakage when cap is placed, easy to handle and good grip of the bottle,base of the bottle is perfect or not, quality of the plastic used for bottle [mentioned at the bottom of the bottle], ....etc

3. Performance : behavior when hot water is poured, cold water is poured, drop the bottle from certain height with water and with out water to find the breakeage level,

you can add 'n' of possible test cases if you first categorize and then start writing test cases...as in this example you can add 'Usability' test cases even.

Comment by Priya on May 9, 2011 at 5:41pm: Hi Siddiq,

Thanks a lot..

Comment by P.Jagadeeswara Reddy on January 21, 2011 at 12:06pm: Hi Siddiq,

I am poor in communication Please guide me with simple words.Please consider my request.

Comment by Bhumika on November 23, 2010 at 11:35am: Hi,

Really good example to understand the basics.
I would like to add following cases to the sample application, you selected :
1. Fill boiled water in the bottle and check its performance
2. Put the filled water bottle in freezer for 24 hours and check its condition
3. one liter water bottle really measures one liter or not

Comment by Linta Pardhi on November 22, 2010 at 2:29pm: Hi,
Its nice blog with simple explanation,
it will help us for beginners.

Thanks
Lina

Comment by Drupesh Patel on November 17, 2010 at 3:21pm: I think you should add another case to check the bottle cant be resealed without being recycled or getting back into the bottling unit... To prevent Dougy mineral water supply...