Use case

Sprint Testing in Jira

Integrate testing into your agile sprints with test cycles tied to sprint stories

Sprint testing ensures user stories delivered each sprint are properly verified. BesTest aligns test management with agile sprints in Jira - a test cycle per sprint, tests linked to the stories, and readiness visible on every work item - so testing is woven into the sprint rather than bolted on at the end.

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The Challenge

Testing within agile sprints has unique pressures traditional approaches cannot handle:

•Limited time for test creation and execution within the sprint timebox
•Tracking which stories are tested vs. not across separate systems
•Balancing new feature tests with targeted regression for affected areas
•Preventing the "testing sprint" anti-pattern that negates agility

How BesTest Helps

BesTest aligns naturally with Jira sprints, making test status visible on the stories themselves without switching tools.

Story-Linked Tests

Link test cases and requirements directly to user stories. The BesTest panel on each story shows its release readiness, linked test cases with recent runs, and executions - ready for stand-ups and sprint reviews.

Tests Created on the Story

Create test cases from the story's work item, one by one or in bulk (one name per line), already linked. Testers keep pace with developers without leaving the issue.

A Cycle per Sprint

Create a test cycle for the sprint and fill it from the sprint's requirements - their linked test cases come along - plus a regression collection for the areas the sprint touches.

Real-Time Progress

The cycle stats bar shows progress and pass rate; gadgets break it down by tester and status. The Work Item Traceability report rolls readiness up per epic or story.

Requirements Coverage

Build a traceability chain from requirements to stories to tests. Answer "is every acceptance criterion validated?" with Covered, Partly covered and Not covered.

Sprint Metrics

Burndown and burnup gadgets, defect trends and coverage gadgets give you the numbers for sprint reviews and capacity planning.

BesTest test cases linked to Jira user stories for sprint testing visibility

Test cases link directly to sprint stories for seamless agile testing

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Key Benefits

Test cases created and linked on the story itself keep testing in step with development

Release readiness on every user story keeps the entire team informed

Sprint-level coverage metrics give the product owner data-driven confidence

Bulk create from the work item keeps testers in pace with developers

Clear reporting for sprint reviews with data for technical and business audiences

Story-level traceability makes retrospectives more productive and actionable

How to Implement

Plan Testing in Refinement

During backlog refinement, identify testing needs for each story. Bulk create the high-level test scenarios on the story to surface testability concerns early.

Create Tests with Stories

As stories enter the sprint, write the steps and link the test cases to their requirements. Use the review workflow to verify quality before execution begins.

Execute During Sprint

Test continuously as features are completed - don't wait until sprint end. Add test cases to the sprint cycle as stories become ready; a Done cycle reopens automatically when you add new test work.

Track and Report

Use the cycle stats bar, gadgets and the BesTest panel on each story to report status at daily stand-ups.

Sprint Retrospective

Review testing metrics in the retrospective - defect trends, burndown, and which stories still had gaps at sprint end.

Sprint testing progress dashboard showing test status in BesTest

Track sprint testing progress live, broken down by tester and status

Best Practices

•Create test cases during sprint planning, not after features are complete
•Test features as they are completed, not all at sprint end
•Include testing in story acceptance criteria so "done" means tested
•Use Smart Collections to add regression tests for affected modules to the sprint cycle
•Track sprint velocity including testing effort for realistic capacity planning

Requirement catalog with Test Results and Coverage columns: Covered, Partly covered and Not covered

See which requirements are Covered, Partly covered or Not covered - and how their tests last ran

Ready to Improve Your Sprint Testing?

Start running Sprint Testing cycles in Jira today. Free for up to 10 users.

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Related Guides & Definitions

Guide