What is the difference between 'Test Approach' and 'test Strategy'?

Test Approach and Test Stratergy are two closely knit things

When Developing a test stratergy you decide upon the test approach that is acceptable to you or the client based on resources available, time for testing given etc.

Like if you have got serious time limitation you can take a priority based test case execution as your test approach, where in you prioritize each test case to be executed.

Test approach:-- Test Approach is created by the individual tester according to the module or application means his own views or approaches for that Module.

Test Strategy:--Whereas in the Test Strategy ,it is created by the Test lead or by the Tester Group together for follow the Strategic Plan.  

Test Strategy: Is the plan prepared to do your testing.

Test Approach:Is the way how do you do your testing.

Regards

Mahesh

Test Strategy - This will tell you the Scope of your testing and the Hardware, software, Environment you are goign to perform testing and Testing Tools like Winrunner,QTP and Rational Robo, Defect Management tool like Test Director, Rational Cleat Quest etc.,. These information will be specified in the Test Strategy. This level can also called as Engagement level.

Test Approch - This will tell how you are going to perform testing. If it is a automation project, how to develope scripts i.e., using certain framework or record and playback.

test approach:-its an over all requirements(from start to end) that has to be followed during testing,ie its tells u that things that as to be followed.

test strategy:-its an implemented form of of test approch.What ever the things that are said in test approach are actually implemented during test stradegy

TEST APPROACH explains the type of testing that will be performed on the project.  A test approach considers the following:  1) Criteria for approach selection, 2) Approach for organizing tests, and 3) Approach for executing tests.

TEST STRATEGY clarifies the major tasks and challenges of a test project. It is created to inform project managers, testers, and developers about key issues of the testing process. This includes the testing objective, methods of testing new functions, total time and resources required for the project, and the testing environment. The test approach is typically covered in the test strategy.