Which documents should a Test Analyst review during the testing phase?

During the testing phase, a Test Analyst should primarily review business requirements, functional specifications, and previous test documentation. This selection is essential because these documents provide the critical foundation for understanding what the system is intended to achieve and how it is supposed to function.

Business requirements outline the needs and conditions of the stakeholders and are crucial for ensuring that the system fulfills its intended purpose. Functional specifications provide detailed descriptions of how the system should operate in terms of its functionality, which directly informs the creation of test cases. Previous test documentation, including test plans, test cases, and defect reports, offers insights into past testing efforts, helps identify areas that require further scrutiny, and promotes continuity in test strategy.

In contrast, while marketing plans and budget reports may provide context regarding business goals, they do not offer direct guidance for testing activities. Software design documents and CI/CD pipelines may be valuable for developers but are less relevant for Test Analysts focused on validating requirements and functionality. Finally, user feedback and satisfaction surveys are more appropriate for post-release assessments and user experience evaluations rather than for guiding the testing process itself.