ISO IEC IEEE 29119-2-2021 PDF

Full title and description

ISO/IEC/IEEE 29119-2:2021 — Software and systems engineering — Software testing — Part 2: Test processes. This international standard defines generic software testing processes to govern, manage and implement testing activities for any organization, project or testing activity. It provides process descriptions, roles and responsibilities, and informative diagrams to support application across lifecycle models.

Abstract

This part of ISO/IEC/IEEE 29119 specifies test processes at organizational, test management and dynamic test levels. It supports dynamic, functional and non‑functional testing, manual and automated testing, and scripted or exploratory approaches. The standard follows a risk‑based approach to prioritise and plan testing and is intended for testers, test managers, developers, project managers and others responsible for governing, managing or implementing software testing.

General information

• Status: Published / Active standard
• Publication date: 28 October 2021
• Publisher: Joint publication by ISO, IEC and IEEE (developed under ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 7 with IEEE participation)
• ICS / categories: 35.080 (Software)
• Edition / version: Edition 2 (2021)
• Number of pages: 54

Scope

Defines generic test processes that can be applied to govern, manage and implement software testing across any software development lifecycle model. Processes are described at three levels—organizational (test policy, organisational test process improvement), test management (planning, monitoring and control) and dynamic test processes (design, implementation, execution, completion). The standard is applicable to any organisation or project performing software testing and is intended to be tailorable to context, scale and risk.

Key topics and requirements

• Formal definitions of test processes at organisational, test management and dynamic test levels.
• Risk‑based approach to prioritise testing activities and focus test effort.
• Requirements for test planning, monitoring, control and reporting.
• Guidance on test design and implementation activities, including test environment and data considerations.
• Processes for test execution, defect reporting and test completion criteria.
• Roles and responsibilities for test activities and governance.
• Tailoring of test processes to project, organisational and lifecycle contexts.
• Informative process diagrams and examples to support implementation and integration with other lifecycle processes.

Typical use and users

Used by organisations and teams establishing or improving formal testing practices: test managers and leads, test engineers, QA and verification teams, project managers, process improvement specialists, and organisations seeking a common, auditable approach to testing across projects. It is also used as a reference when drafting test policies, test strategies and when aligning test activities with contractual or regulatory requirements.

Related standards

Part of the ISO/IEC/IEEE 29119 software testing series. Closely related parts include 29119-1 (concepts and definitions), 29119-3 (test documentation templates), 29119-4 (test design techniques) and 29119-5 (keyword-driven testing). Implementers commonly use the parts together: 29119-2 provides the process framework that 29119-3 supplies documentation templates for and 29119-4 supplies techniques used within the processes.

Keywords

software testing; test processes; test management; test planning; test execution; test design; risk-based testing; test documentation; test lifecycle; test governance

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO/IEC/IEEE 29119-2:2021 is Part 2 of the international ISO/IEC/IEEE 29119 series; it specifies generic test processes for governing, managing and implementing software testing.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers process descriptions for organisational testing practices, test management (planning, monitoring, control) and dynamic testing activities (design, implementation, execution, completion), plus tailoring guidance and informative diagrams.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Test managers, test engineers, QA teams, project managers, process improvement specialists and organisations that want a standardised, auditable approach to software testing.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: This edition (Edition 2) was published on 28 October 2021 and supersedes the earlier 29119-2:2013 edition. It is the current published version of Part 2.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it is Part 2 of the ISO/IEC/IEEE 29119 series. Other parts (e.g., Parts 1, 3, 4 and 5) provide concepts/definitions, documentation templates, test techniques and keyword-driven testing material that complement the processes in Part 2.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Key keywords include software testing, test processes, test management, test design, risk-based testing, test execution, test documentation and test governance.