ISO/IEC/IEEE 29119 is the international software testing standard series. It provides a common vocabulary, a process framework, standardized test work products, and test-technique guidance that can be tailored from small projects to regulated environments.

The series is process- and evidence-oriented: it does not define product quality characteristics by itself (that role is covered by standards such as ISO/IEC 25010). Instead, it defines how testing should be planned, executed, documented, and reported so verification results are consistent and auditable.

Structure of the 29119 Series

Part Focus Status
ISO/IEC/IEEE 29119-1 Concepts and definitions for software testing terminology International Standard, 2022 edition
ISO/IEC/IEEE 29119-2 Test processes (organizational and project/test management processes) International Standard, 2021 edition
ISO/IEC/IEEE 29119-3 Test documentation (test work products and reporting artifacts) International Standard, 2021 edition
ISO/IEC/IEEE 29119-4 Test techniques International Standard, 2021 edition
ISO/IEC/IEEE 29119-5 Keyword-driven testing International Standard, 2024 edition
ISO/IEC TR 29119-6 Using the standard in agile development contexts Technical Report, 2021 edition
ISO/IEC TR 29119-11 Guidance for testing AI-based systems Technical Report, 2020 edition

What It Changes in Practice

  • Establishes a common language for test policy, planning, design, execution, and reporting.
  • Makes testing outcomes more comparable across teams by standardizing work products and process expectations.
  • Supports risk-based testing and prioritization of test effort.
  • Improves auditability by requiring explicit evidence and trace links from test basis to results.
  • Allows tailoring: the standard defines a framework, not a single mandatory test lifecycle.

Relationship to Other Standards

  • ISO/IEC 25010 defines which quality characteristics matter; ISO/IEC/IEEE 29119 defines how to test and evidence them.
  • ISO/IEC/IEEE 12207 provides lifecycle processes; 29119 specializes the testing-related processes and work products.
  • ISO/IEC 20246 complements 29119 with guidance for static testing (reviews and static analysis).

Quality Attributes Required or Emphasized

Quality Attribute Relevance in ISO/IEC/IEEE 29119
Testability Core focus: structures test conditions, test cases, procedures, and execution so systems can be systematically tested.
Verifiability Core focus: requires objective, reviewable evidence that requirements and expected behavior have been verified.
Traceability Strongly emphasized through links between test basis, test design, execution records, and test reports.
Reproducibility Standardized processes and documentation improve repeatability and reproducibility of test results across teams and time.
Auditability Test evidence and reporting artifacts support internal/external assessments and compliance audits.
Correctness Testing against expected outcomes helps detect deviations and defects in functional and non-functional behavior.
Reliability Systematic dynamic testing contributes to confidence in stable behavior under intended operating conditions.
Maintainability Structured regression testing assets and clearer test documentation support safer change and evolution.
Compliance Consistent test records and reports provide evidence needed in contractual and regulated delivery contexts.

References and Authoritative Sources

Core Standard Series (ISO)

Guidance Extensions