How to Prepare a Test Strategy Document (With Examples)

🧠 What Is a Test Strategy Document?

A Test Strategy Document is a high-level document that defines:

• What will be tested
• How it will be tested
• When and by whom
• What tools and environments will be used

It is created during the early phases of the project (typically during planning or design) and acts as a blueprint for all QA activities.

✅ Why You Need One

• Sets clear expectations for QA
• Ensures traceability of requirements to test coverage
• Aligns stakeholders on quality goals
• Helps onboard new team members quickly
• Acts as evidence for audits and compliance (e.g., SOC 2, ISO 27001)

🧩 Key Components of a Test Strategy Document

Here’s a breakdown of what your document should include:

🧪 Example Test Strategy Document (SaaS Web App)

1. Introduction

This document outlines the QA test strategy for the Acme Project Management SaaS Platform. It applies to all web modules, APIs, and mobile interfaces scheduled for the Q2 2025 release.

2. Test Objectives

• Ensure all critical features work as expected
• Prevent regressions via automation
• Verify compatibility on Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Edge
• Validate role-based access and authorization

3. Scope

In Scope:

• Sign-up & authentication
• Project creation, task management
• File uploads, notifications
• Admin dashboard

Out of Scope:

• Billing/invoicing (tested in next sprint)
• Deprecated reports module

4. Test Types

• Unit Tests: Run by devs with Jest
• Integration Tests: Validate API-to-UI flows
• E2E Tests: Use Cypress for full workflows
• Security Testing: Run OWASP ZAP on staging
• Accessibility Testing: Use Axe and manual audits
• Performance Testing: Lighthouse CI checks

5. Test Environment

• Staging URL: https://staging.acme.io
• Auth: Test users with various roles (admin, editor, viewer)
• Data: Auto-reset database nightly
• Mocked Services: Payment and email APIs mocked using MSW

6. Tools

• Automation: Cypress, Playwright
• API Testing: Postman + Newman
• CI/CD: GitHub Actions + Docker
• Bug Tracking: Jira
• Reporting: Allure Reports, Slack alerts

7. Test Deliverables

• Test strategy document (this doc)
• Test case repository (Xray for Jira)
• Daily smoke test report (CI-generated)
• Final Test Summary Report (TSR)

8. Entry Criteria

• Feature branch merged to staging
• Unit test coverage >80%
• QA environment stable

9. Exit Criteria

• All critical bugs fixed and verified
• E2E and regression tests passed
• UAT sign-off completed

10. Risks & Mitigation

11. Roles & Responsibilities

• QA Lead: Owns test plan, strategy, reporting
• Developers: Write unit tests, fix defects
• Product Owner: Approves test scope and exit

12. Timeline (Example)

🔖 Test Strategy vs Test Plan: What’s the Difference?

🛠️ Bonus: Tools to Help You Build It

• Confluence: Great for collaboration
• Google Docs + Tables: Lightweight and easy to share
• Notion: Works well for startups with integrated doc/project tracking
• Jira + Xray: For structured test case traceability

✅ Final Tips

• 🔁 Keep it iterative: Your first version won’t be perfect. Update it with each sprint/release.
• 👥 Collaborate: Don’t write it in isolation. Get input from devs, PMs, and even ops/security.
• 🧩 Modularize: Break it into sections so it’s easy to reuse for future projects.
• 📋 Link to test cases: Reference your test case management system to reduce redundancy.

📎 Downloadable Template

Would you like a downloadable Test Strategy Template in Google Docs or Markdown?

Let me know—I’ll generate one for you to start filling in!

FAQs

Q: Who writes the test strategy? A: Usually the QA Lead, but it should be reviewed and approved by stakeholders like the product manager and engineering lead.

Q: How detailed should it be? A: Enough to guide execution but not so detailed that it becomes a test plan. Use links to deeper docs if needed.

Q: Is it required for every project? A: Not always—but for anything client-facing, mission-critical, or audited (e.g., SOC 2), it’s essential.