Use Case, Test Case and Test Scenario

 

Understanding Use Case, Test Case, and Test Scenario in Simple Terms

When you're testing software or a website, there are different ways to describe what needs to be tested. Use Case, Test Case, and Test Scenario are terms that help us organize the testing process. While they all deal with testing, they each serve a different purpose. 

Here's a simple way to understand the difference:

1. What’s a Use Case?

• Use Case is like a story that describes how a person (a user) will interact with a system or application. It tells you what the user is trying to do with the software.

• In Simple Words: It’s the goal the user is trying to achieve when using the software.

Example:

• Use Case: "A customer wants to log in to an online store."
  • The use case would describe the customer opening the app, entering their username and password, and logging in.

2. What’s a Test Scenario?

• Test Scenario is a broad description of what needs to be tested. It's a bit like a checklist of things to test, but it doesn't go into every single detail. It tells you what you’re going to check, but not exactly how to do it.

• In Simple Words: It’s a list of things you want to test or verify to make sure everything works.

Example:

• Test Scenario: "Test if logging in works correctly."
  • This would include different situations to check, like logging in with the correct password, wrong password, or with an empty field.

3. What’s a Test Case?

• Test Case is a detailed step-by-step guide that explains exactly how to test something. It tells you what to do, what to expect, and even what to do if something goes wrong.

• In Simple Words: It’s a detailed instruction on how to test a specific feature to make sure it works as expected.

Example:

• Test Case: "Verify login with the correct username and password."
  • Steps:
    1. Go to the login page.
    2. Type "user123" as the username.
    3. Type "password123" as the password.
    4. Click the "Login" button.
  • Expected Result: The customer should be logged in and directed to the homepage.

How Are They Different?

Here’s a simple comparison to help you see how each one is different:

Term	What It Is	Example
Use Case	Describes what the user wants to do.	"Customer logs in to the online store."
Test Scenario	A broad description of what needs to be tested.	"Test if login works correctly with different inputs."
Test Case	Detailed instructions on how to test something.	"Step-by-step instructions to test login with correct credentials."

Example to Understand It All:

Let's say you're testing a website’s login feature. Here’s how each term fits in:

1. Use Case: "A user needs to log in to their account to make a purchase."

   • This is the basic description of the user’s goal.

2. Test Scenario: "Test if the login feature works in all situations."

   • This is a high-level checklist. You might want to test logging in with correct and incorrect usernames and passwords, or when the fields are left blank.

3. Test Case: "Verify the login works when using the correct username and password."

   • This would be a very specific test, where you list the exact steps: Go to the login page, enter the correct username and password, click "Login," and check if the user is taken to the homepage.

Why Do We Need All Three?

• Use Case: Helps you understand what the user wants to do.
• Test Scenario: Gives you a high-level idea of what to test (but not all the details).
• Test Case: Provides the step-by-step guide on how to test and check if everything works.

So, in simple terms:

• A Use Case is like telling a story about what the user wants to do.
• A Test Scenario is like a checklist of things to test.
• A Test Case is a detailed guide on exactly how to do the testing.