test-design-techniques

name	test-design-techniques
description	Systematic test design with boundary value analysis, equivalence partitioning, decision tables, state transition testing, and combinatorial testing. Use when designing comprehensive test cases, reducing redundant tests, or ensuring systematic coverage.
category	specialized-testing
priority	high
tokenEstimate	900
agents	["qe-test-generator","qe-coverage-analyzer","qe-quality-analyzer"]
implementation_status	optimized
optimization_version	1
last_optimized	2025-12-02T00:00:00.000Z
dependencies	[]
quick_reference_card	true
tags	["test-design","bva","equivalence-partitioning","decision-tables","pairwise","state-transition"]

Test Design Techniques

<default_to_action> When designing test cases systematically:

1. APPLY Boundary Value Analysis (test at min, max, edges)
2. USE Equivalence Partitioning (one test per partition)
3. CREATE Decision Tables (for complex business rules)
4. MODEL State Transitions (for stateful behavior)
5. REDUCE with Pairwise Testing (for combinations)

Quick Design Selection:

• Numeric ranges → BVA + EP
• Multiple conditions → Decision Tables
• Workflows → State Transition
• Many parameters → Pairwise Testing

Critical Success Factors:

• Systematic design finds more bugs with fewer tests
• Random testing is inefficient
• 40+ years of research backs these techniques </default_to_action>

Quick Reference Card

When to Use

• Designing new test suites
• Optimizing existing tests
• Complex business rules
• Reducing test redundancy

Technique Selection Guide

Scenario	Technique
Numeric input ranges	BVA + EP
Multiple conditions	Decision Tables
Stateful workflows	State Transition
Many parameter combinations	Pairwise
All combinations critical	Full Factorial

---

Boundary Value Analysis (BVA)

Principle: Bugs cluster at boundaries.

Test at boundaries:

• Minimum valid value
• Just below minimum (invalid)
• Just above minimum (valid)
• Maximum valid value
• Just above maximum (invalid)

// Age field: 18-120 valid
const boundaryTests = [
  { input: 17, expected: 'invalid' },  // Below min
  { input: , :  },    
  { : , :  },    
  { : , :  },   
  { : , :  },   
  { : , :  }  
];