testkatalog

Testkatalog is a term used in German-speaking contexts to describe a structured catalog or repository of tests or test items. It encompasses lists of test cases, assessment questions, or evaluation items organized to cover specified objectives or requirements. In software development, a testkatalog serves as a centralized repository of test cases and test scripts, linked to features or requirements, and used for planning, execution, and reporting. It supports traceability from requirements to tests and can feed into test plans, test suites, and automation pipelines. In education and professional certification, a testkatalog defines the inventory of exam questions or tasks, along with scoring criteria, difficulty levels, and alignment with learning objectives or competencies, enabling standardized assessment and comparability across cohorts.

Key elements commonly found in a testkatalog include a unique test identifier, title or description, input data or scenario, expected result, environment or configuration, priority or risk level, and a traceability mapping to requirements or objectives. It may also include success criteria, test data, preconditions, and postconditions. Maintenance involves owners, versioning, review cycles, and deprecation rules, since tests may become obsolete as software evolves or curricula are updated.

Variants and related terms include test catalog, item bank, test bank, or assessment catalog. The concept emphasizes repeatability, reusability, coverage analysis, and auditability, helping teams plan test coverage, measure progress, and communicate scope to stakeholders.

See also: test case, test plan, test suite, item bank, assessment.