The steps involved in conducting black box testing.

• Activities:
  • Defining the testing scope (which functionalities will be tested).
  • Identifying the types of black box testing techniques to be used (e.g., equivalence partitioning, boundary value analysis, decision table testing, state transition testing, use case testing, exploratory testing). ¹  
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  • Determining the test environment and required data.
  • Allocating resources (testers, tools).
  • Establishing a test schedule and timelines.
  • Defining entry and exit criteria for testing.
  • Identifying risks and mitigation strategies.

3. Test Case Design:

• Objective: To create a comprehensive set of test cases that cover all aspects of the software's functionality based on the requirements.
• Activities:
  • Identifying valid and invalid inputs for each functionality.
  • Determining the expected outputs for each input.
  • Designing test cases using the chosen black box testing techniques to achieve maximum test coverage with a manageable number of test cases.
  • Creating test cases that cover positive scenarios (valid inputs leading to expected outputs) and negative scenarios (invalid inputs, edge cases, error conditions).
  • Documenting test cases clearly, including a unique identifier, test steps, expected results, and preconditions.

4. Test Environment Setup:

• Objective: To prepare the necessary environment for executing the test cases.
• Activities:
  • Setting up the software application in a dedicated test environment.
  • Configuring the required hardware and software.
  • Creating or preparing the necessary test data (e.g., user accounts, sample files, database entries).
  • Ensuring the test environment is stable and representative of the production environment (as much as feasible).

5. Test Execution:

• Objective: To execute the designed test cases and record the actual results.
• Activities:
  • Running the test cases one by one, following the documented steps.
  • Interacting with the software as an end-user would.
  • Observing the actual output and behavior of the software.
  • Comparing the actual results with the expected results documented in the test cases.
  • Documenting the outcome of each test case (pass, fail, blocked).
  • Collecting evidence for failed test cases (e.g., screenshots, log files, error messages).

6. Defect Reporting:

• Objective: To clearly and concisely communicate any discrepancies between the actual and expected results (i.e., defects or bugs).
• Activities:
  • Creating detailed defect reports for each failed test case.
  • Including all necessary information for developers to understand and reproduce the defect (e.g., steps to reproduce, actual results, expected results, environment details, severity, priority).
  • Using a bug tracking system to manage and track defects.
  • Assigning defects to the appropriate developers for fixing.

7. Test Cycle Closure:

• Objective: To summarize the testing activities and outcomes after a specific testing phase.
• Activities:
  • Analyzing the test results (number of test cases executed, pass rate, fail rate, defect distribution).
  • Preparing a test summary report that outlines the testing activities, findings, and overall assessment of the software's quality for the tested functionalities.
  • Identifying any outstanding issues or risks.
  • Obtaining sign-off from stakeholders on the completion of the test cycle.

Throughout these steps, communication and collaboration among the testing team, developers, and other stakeholders are crucial for a successful black box testing process. The focus remains on verifying the software's functionality from an external user's perspective, ensuring it meets the specified requirements without delving into the underlying code.

Black box testing is a software testing method where the functionality of an application is tested without looking at its internal structures, design, or code. The tester is only concerned with the inputs and the expected outputs. It's like testing a black box – you know what goes in and what should come out, but you don't know how it works inside.

Here are the typical steps involved in conducting black box testing:

1. Requirement Gathering and Analysis:

• Objective: To thoroughly understand the software's requirements and specifications from the user's perspective.
• Activities:
  • Reviewing functional specifications, user stories, use cases, and other documentation.
  • Identifying the intended functionality of the software.
  • Understanding the expected inputs, outputs, and behavior for various scenarios.
  • Clarifying any ambiguities or inconsistencies in the requirements with stakeholders (e.g., business analysts, developers, clients).

2. Test Planning:

• Objective: To define the scope, objectives, resources, and schedule for the black box testing effort.