Overview
ISO/IEC/IEEE 29119-1 (Part 1: General concepts) is the introductory part of the ISO/IEC/IEEE 29119 software testing standard series. It defines the fundamental concepts, terminology and high‑level guidance for software testing across any life cycle, domain or organization. The second edition updates the original 2013 standard, clarifying the expected content of test strategies, simplifying the test design approach (deriving test cases from test models), and relocating metrics into the main body of the standard.
Keywords: ISO/IEC/IEEE 29119-1, software testing standard, general concepts, test strategy, risk-based testing
Key topics
- Testing fundamentals: role of testing in quality management, verification and validation, static vs. dynamic testing, exhaustive testing vs. sampling, test basis and test oracle.
- Risk-based testing: recommended approach for prioritizing testing effort, linking risks and requirements to a test strategy.
- Test strategy and planning: contents and structure of test strategies and plans, test levels and test types.
- Test frameworks and processes: overview of test processes, documentation requirements, configuration management, process improvement and test metrics.
- Test design & execution: model-based testing, simplified test design process, scripted vs. exploratory testing, test design techniques, experience-based testing, regression and retesting, manual and automated testing, continuous testing.
- Specialized techniques & environments: back-to-back testing, A/B testing, fuzz and mathematical testing, test environments and test data management.
- Support activities: test roles, communication and reporting, defect and incident management.
- Annexes: examples of system characteristics with suggested test approaches and descriptions of common testing roles.
Keywords: test processes, test metrics, model-based testing, regression testing, test environments
Applications - who uses it and why
- Test managers & QA leads: to develop risk‑based test strategies, define test scope, and select appropriate test approaches.
- Test engineers & analysts: for guidance on test design techniques, test models, and execution choices (automated vs. manual).
- Process improvement teams & auditors: to align testing activities with international best practices and measure test performance using standardized metrics.
- Project managers & DevOps teams: to integrate testing into different life cycles (Agile, DevOps, embedded, mobile).
- Procurement & vendors: to specify testing requirements and evaluate supplier test capability.
Practical value: standardizes terminology, helps prioritize testing effort, improves traceability and repeatability, and supports tool selection and test automation strategies.
Keywords: test strategy template, risk-based testing, software test standard, test documentation
Related standards
- ISO/IEC/IEEE 29119 series - Part 2 (Test processes) provides the detailed test process model referenced by Part 1.
- Other parts of the 29119 series cover test documentation, techniques, and process implementation.
Using ISO/IEC/IEEE 29119-1 helps organizations establish a consistent, internationally recognized foundation for all subsequent test planning, design and improvement activities.