Software Testing Entry Criteria

Before software testing can begin, certain conditions or requirements must be met to ensure the process is smooth, efficient, and effective. These preconditions are called “Entry Criteria.” They help determine whether a test phase is ready to start and prevent testers from working with incomplete or unstable software builds. Entry criteria help reduce risks, improve quality, and ensure testing begins at the right time.

Testing Entry Criteria

Software Testing Entry Criteria refer to the set of conditions that must be fulfilled before testing activities can begin. These criteria ensure that the necessary inputs, environments, tools, and deliverables are ready so the testing process can proceed without unnecessary delays or issues.

Entry criteria are essential to ensure:

• The system or component is stable and testable.
• Required documents are available.
• Test environments are set up and configured.
• Required resources (testers, tools) are allocated.

 

When Do Software QA Teams Start Testing?

In Waterfall Model

In the Waterfall model, QA teams usually begin testing after the development phase is complete. Entry criteria in this model are strict because each phase depends on the successful completion of the previous phase.

In Agile Scrum

In Agile Scrum, testing begins early and happens continuously. Testers are part of the Scrum team and work alongside developers. Entry criteria are more flexible, and testing starts as soon as a user story or feature is developed and marked “Ready for Testing.”

Test Plan Document

The Test Plan document usually includes a section titled “Entry Criteria” where the specific conditions for starting testing are listed. This may include:

• Availability of testable requirements or user stories.
• Completion of the code for the feature or module.
• Availability of the test environment and test data.
• Completion of unit testing by developers.
• Approval from stakeholders or product owners.

Entry Criteria for Different Types of Testing

Type of Testing	Entry Criteria
Unit Testing	Code is written for a specific function or module. Developer completes initial checks.
Integration Testing	All relevant modules are unit tested and integrated. Data flow between modules is ready to be tested.
System Testing	All components are integrated. System build is available. Test environment is configured.
Acceptance Testing	System testing is completed. Business requirements are validated. Client or user approval is received.
Regression Testing	New changes are deployed. Test cases from previous versions are available. Bug fixes are verified.