Chapter 1 – Fundamentals of Testing
Test Planning – ISTQB Definition
Last Updated: July 12, 2026 · SoftwareTestPilot QA Team
Official ISTQB Definition
The activity of establishing or updating a test plan.
In simple words
Deciding scope, objectives, risks, resources, schedule and criteria for a testing effort.
Exam tip
Planning is iterative in CTFL v4.0 — the test plan is revisited as risks and progress evolve.
Related terms
- Test PlanThe document that answers ‘what, when, how, and by whom’ for the testing effort — scope, schedule, risks, entry and exit criteria.
- Test StrategyThe organisation-wide ‘how we test’ document — reused across projects — that project test plans reference.
- Risk-Based TestingYou test the risky stuff first and hardest. Low-risk areas get lighter coverage.
Practice this term in the ISTQB Mock Test
40 CTFL v4.0 questions, 60-minute timer, instant scoring and chapter-wise breakdown.
Practice in Mock Test