Test Scenarios vs Test Cases: Key Differences, Examples & Best Practices

Terms such as “test scenarios” and “test cases” are often regularly used in software testing. They have different functionalities even though they are closely related and often used interchangeably. Anyone working in quality assurance (QA), regardless of whether as a developer, project manager, or tester, needs to be cognizant of their differences. We’ll explore the definitions, differences, examples, and best practices of test scenarios and test cases in this article.

What is a Test Scenario?

A high-level explanation of a feature or workflow that needs testing is called a test scenario. It establishes what should be validated rather than delving into granular details. Without overburdening testers with documentation, test scenarios help ensure coverage of key features.

Purpose: To succinctly define the testing’s scope.

Derived from: Functional specifications, user stories, or business requirements.

Level of detail: Broad and abstract.

For example:

• Verify the login functionality.
• Test an e-commerce application’s checkout workflow.

These are high-level flows that emphasize the areas that need verification rather than detailed instructions.

What is a Test Case?

A test case is a holistic, sequential set of guidelines that explains to a tester how to validate a specific feature. It includes all the data needed to execute the test and is derived from test scenarios.

Purpose: To establish precise testing procedures and expected results.

Derived from: Test scenarios and requirements.

Level of detail: Very specific and precise.

Typical elements of a test case:

• Preconditions.
• Test case ID.
• Test data
• Step-by-step actions
• Expected results
• Actual results (once executed)
• Postconditions.

For example (based on login scenario)

• Launch the application.
• Enter a valid username and password.
• Click the login button.

Expected outcome: The user should be sent to the dashboard page.

Test Scenarios vs. Test Cases: Key Differences

Test cases and test scenarios are related, but they have unique goals, details, and scopes. The primary differences are listed below:

Examples of Test Scenarios and Test Cases

Let’s take a look at an example from a shopping cart application to better understand.

Test Scenario: Validate that checkout works correctly.

Test Cases under this scenario:

• Add items to your cart and proceed to pay with a valid credit card to guarantee a successful transaction.
• If you try to check out using an expired card, an error message should appear.
• Using a valid discount code, expect a reduced total.
• Using an invalid discount code, the relevant error message should be displayed.

Here, the test cases define how each component of the scenario will be verified, while the scenario defines what needs to be validated.

When to Use Test Scenarios vs. Test Cases

The true context of the project regularly influences the choice between test cases and test scenarios:

Use test scenarios when:

• When requirements are modified and you wish to maintain minimal documentation.
• The team needs a succinct overview of the coverage areas.
• The focus is on risk assessment and early planning.

Use test cases when:

• Extensive validation is required.
• Regulatory or compliance requirements demand traceability.
• Tests will be executed by multiple people or automated scripts that need accuracy.

Advantages of Test Scenarios

• Provide instant visibility to coverage areas.
• Easier to maintain when requirements evolve.
• Save time in documentation.
• Ideal for agile and exploratory testing, where adaptation is necessary.

Advantages of Test Cases

• Guarantees test accuracy and repeatability.
• Offers precise documentation for forthcoming regression testing.
• Offers structured, step-driven inputs to aid automation.
• Aids non-experienced testers who lack domain expertise in executing tests.

Challenges and Limitations

Test scenarios

• Too High-level could ignore edge cases.
• They cannot be executed independently.
• Relies heavily on tester experience to fill in the gaps.

Test cases

• Time-consuming to develop and maintain.
• If an application evolves, it may quickly become outdated.
• Demand a lot of work for large projects.

Best Practices for Using Test Scenarios and Test Cases Together

1. Begin with scenarios: To ensure holistic coverage, detect all high-level workflows.
2. Derive Test Cases: Build multiple thorough test cases out of each scenario.
3. Maintain Traceability: By linking test cases to scenarios and requirements.
4. Prioritize based on Risk: Give business-critical situations top priority.
5. Balance Detail with Agility: In agile contexts, use scenarios for planning and only write detailed test cases for intricate or high-risk features.

Test Scenario vs. Test Case in Agile Testing

Compared to conventional methods, agile testing often involves less documentation. Agile teams work in brief sprints where teamwork, speed, and flexibility are more critical than exhaustive documentation. The use of test cases and scenarios is directly impacted by this.

Role of Test Scenarios in Agile

• Test scenarios act as a fast method of detecting the necessary tests for each sprint.
• Scenarios are generally written to reflect acceptance criteria and end-to-end user flows because agile development is fueled by user stories.
• They make sure that QA, developers, and product owners all have a common comprehension of functionality by behaving as conversation starters.

Role of Test Cases in Agile

• Agile teams often prioritize automation or exploratory testing over building extensive test cases for each functionality.
• However, for complex, high-risk, or compliance-related functionalities where precision and repeatability are vital, holistic test cases are still generated.
• Because automated test cases can be reused across sprints and regression cycles, they are widely utilized in agile environments.

Balancing Both:

• Maintaining high-level scenarios for coverage and only building test cases when needed is a sensible strategy in agile projects.
• Teams can build holistic test cases for functionality with a significant business impact after linking scenarios to acceptance criteria.

Example in Agile

User Story: As a user, I want to reset my password so I can retrieve access to my account.

Test Scenario: Validate that the password reset feature works.

Agile Test Cases:

• Use a working email address to reset your password and await the link.
• Use an unregistered email to reset the password and expect an error message.
• If the reset password link expires, expect the user to be asked to request a new one.

Agility is ensured without sacrificing quality due to this combination of scenarios and specific test cases.

Test Plan vs. Test Scenario vs. Test Case

Considering how test cases and scenarios fit into the bigger testing framework is also helpful:

• Test Plan: The overarching approach, including the goals, scope, tools, resources, and what will be validated.
• Test Scenario: The workflow or high-level functionality that will be validated.
• Test Case: Extensive guidelines for validating that functionality.

Conclusion

The debate between test cases and test scenarios is not about selecting one over the other, but rather about how to balance both effectively. While test cases delve into the granular details of execution, test scenarios provide you with a more holistic view of coverage. When combined, they offer a robust testing approach that ensures both depth and breadth of validation.

Starting with scenarios maintains flexibility in projects that evolve quickly. Detailed test cases are vital for projects that demand accuracy and compliance. QA teams can achieve comprehensive, effective, and reliable testing by integrating the two methods.