Testausohje

Testausohje is a document used to describe how to perform a test in a consistent and auditable manner. In Finnish contexts, it translates roughly to test instruction or test procedure. The goal is to ensure repeatability, accuracy, and traceability of test results, whether in software, hardware, product manufacturing, or laboratory work.

A typical testausohje outlines the scope and purpose, prerequisites and safety considerations, required materials and equipment, environmental conditions, and a step-by-step procedure. It also defines data collection methods, acceptance criteria, and how nonconformities should be recorded and addressed. The document usually includes version control, authorship, and references to applicable standards.

Procedural design emphasizes clarity: steps should be numbered and unambiguous, the expected results or checkpoints stated, and any troubleshooting or alternative actions described. Time limits, measurement units, and handling of artifacts or samples are specified to support reproducibility.

Applications span software testing (test cases and scripts), hardware testing (functional and reliability tests), manufacturing quality control, and laboratory analysis. In all cases, the testausohje serves as the evidentiary basis for conclusions about a product or process.

In quality systems, testausohje is often part of a broader framework such as ISO/IEC 17025, ISO 9001, or GMP, ensuring traceability of results and change history. Related concepts include test plan, test case, validation, and verification.