Skip to main content

Test Summary Report

A Test Summary Report is a formal document that provides an overview and analysis of all testing activities for a particular software release or project. This report is a crucial deliverable in the software testing life cycle as it gives stakeholders a clear understanding of the quality of the software, the testing coverage achieved, and the overall readiness of the product for release. It's not a detailed log of every single test, but rather a high-level summary of the entire testing effort.

Key Components of a Test Summary Report

A typical test summary report includes:

  • Test Results: A summary of how many tests passed, failed, or were blocked.
  • Defect Analysis: A breakdown of the defects found, categorized by severity and priority.
  • Test Coverage: Information on what was tested and what was not (e.g., test cases executed, requirements covered).
  • Exit Criteria: A conclusion on whether the defined criteria for ending the testing phase have been met.
  • Conclusion: A final recommendation on the readiness of the software for release.

Example: After a two-week testing cycle for a new user authentication system, the quality assurance lead would prepare a Test Summary Report. This report might state that out of 200 test cases for the login feature, 195 passed, and 5 failed. The report would then detail the five failed tests, noting that one was a critical defect (the system crashed) and four were minor usability issues. The report would conclude by recommending that the critical defect be fixed before the feature is released, providing a clear basis for the next steps.