Before any project test phase begins, a detailed Test Approach, should be produced.

A standard test approach (whether or not risk based testing is being employed) should contain the following sections:

1. Background
2. Executive Summary
3. Goals & Objectives
4. Scope of Testing
-Features Tested
-Features Not Tested
5. Test Environment
-Hardware, Software, Operating Systems
6. Test Schedule
-Milestone List
-Assumptions
-Risks
7. Test Deliverables
-Deliverables Matrix
-Documents: Test Plan, Test Schedule, Test Specifications
-Test Cases
-Reporting Summary
-Responsibility Matrix
8. Test Phase Entry & Exit Criteria
-Test Phase Entry Criteria
-Test Phase Exit Criteria
9. Bug/Defect Tracking
10. Test Tools

We will be covering each section in detail with each regular update to this site. We will also highlight the content specific to a risk based testing approach.