ISO IEC IEEE 29119-4-2021 PDF

Full title and description

ISO/IEC/IEEE 29119-4:2021 — Software and systems engineering — Software testing — Part 4: Test techniques. This international standard defines a catalogue of test-design techniques (specification-based, structure-based and experience-based) and prescribes how those techniques fit into the test design and implementation process described in ISO/IEC/IEEE 29119‑2.

Abstract

This document specifies test-design techniques that can be used during test design and implementation. Each technique is described with its objective, applicable test conditions, typical test items, procedure and examples; the techniques are intended to support consistent, repeatable test-case derivation and to be used by testers, test managers and developers responsible for implementing or overseeing software testing.

General information

• Status: Published.
• Publication date: 28 October 2021 (Edition 2, effective/publication in October 2021).
• Publisher: Joint ISO/IEC/IEEE international standard (published via ISO; technical work by ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 7).
• ICS / categories: 35.080 (Software).
• Edition / version: Edition 2 (2021), replaces ISO/IEC/IEEE 29119-4:2015.
• Number of pages: 135 pages (published PDF length reported as 135 pages).

Scope

The standard defines and explains test-design techniques that support the test design and implementation activities of the overall testing process described in ISO/IEC/IEEE 29119‑2. It covers specification-based (black-box) techniques, structure-based (white-box) techniques and experience-based techniques, and shows how to select and apply them to derive test cases from software specifications, designs and source code. The document is intended for testers, test managers, developers and others involved in designing and implementing tests.

Key topics and requirements

• Classification of test-design techniques into specification-based, structure-based and experience-based categories.
• Specification-based techniques: equivalence partitioning, boundary-value analysis, decision table testing, state/transition testing, use-case and scenario testing, etc.
• Structure-based techniques: statement coverage, decision/branch coverage, condition and multiple condition coverage (including MC/DC), path testing and other code-coverage based methods.
• Experience-based techniques: error guessing, exploratory testing approaches and heuristics.
• Guidance on selecting appropriate techniques for given test conditions, and on documenting technique application and derived test cases.
• Examples demonstrating procedure, expected test conditions and typical test items for each technique.

Typical use and users

Used by software testers, test analysts, test managers, QA engineers, developers involved in unit/ integration/ system testing, certification and compliance teams, and tool vendors who implement or document test-design functionality. Organizations adopt it to standardize test-case derivation, improve repeatability of test design and align testing practices with ISO/IEC/IEEE 29119 process guidance.

Related standards

Part of the ISO/IEC/IEEE 29119 series; closely related documents include: ISO/IEC/IEEE 29119‑1 (concepts and vocabulary), 29119‑2 (test processes), 29119‑3 (test documentation), and 29119‑5 (keyword-driven testing). It is also commonly used alongside lifecycle and quality standards such as ISO/IEC/IEEE 12207 (software life cycle processes) and ISO/IEC 25010 (system and software quality models).

Keywords

software testing, test design, test techniques, specification-based, structure-based, experience-based, equivalence partitioning, boundary-value analysis, decision table, state transition, code coverage, MC/DC, test-case derivation.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO/IEC/IEEE 29119-4:2021 is the part of the 29119 series that specifies test-design techniques for deriving and implementing test cases; it provides technique definitions, procedures, examples and guidance for applying them within the 29119 test process.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers a catalog of test-design techniques (specification-based, structure-based and experience-based), how to apply them, and how they fit into the test design and implementation steps of ISO/IEC/IEEE 29119‑2. The document includes objectives, procedures and examples for each technique.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Testers, test managers, QA and development teams, certification and compliance assessors, and tool vendors — anyone responsible for defining, implementing or reviewing test design and test-case derivation processes.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The 2021 edition (Edition 2) is the current published edition and replaced the 2015 edition; the standard was published in October 2021. Users should verify for any later revisions or national adoptions if required for compliance.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it is Part 4 of the ISO/IEC/IEEE 29119 series on software testing and is intended to be used together with the other parts (29119‑1, ‑2, ‑3 and ‑5) for a comprehensive testing framework.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Software testing, test design, test techniques, specification-based testing, structure-based testing, experience-based testing, equivalence partitioning, boundary values, decision tables, state transitions, code coverage.