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Mastering Decision Table Testing in Software QA: Examples for Login & Upload Screens Great 2025

By Shiva

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Mastering Decision Table Testing in Software QA: Examples for Login & Upload Screens Great 2025

“Boost software quality with Decision Table Testing techniques”

“Effective Login screen testing using Decision Tables”

“Master QA strategy with Decision Table Testing examples”

Decision Table Testing is a black-box test design technique used in software testing to represent different combinations of inputs and their corresponding system behavior. This technique presents conditions and outcomes in a tabular format, helping testers ensure full test coverage by systematically evaluating all possible input combinations.

This method is often referred to as a Cause-Effect Table, where:

  • Cause = input conditions
  • Effect = system outputs

Decision Table Testing is especially useful in systems where the output depends on multiple input conditions. It is highly effective when dealing with:

  • Complex business logic
  • Rule-driven scenarios
  • Systems where missing a condition could lead to serious issues

By laying out inputs and their expected results, testers can verify all combinations and detect any missing or redundant test cases.


A typical decision table includes the following components:

ConditionsRule 1Rule 2Rule 3Rule 4
Input 1TTFF
Input 2FTFT
OutputXYZW
  • T = True (valid input)
  • F = False (invalid input)
  • Outputs vary based on business logic

Let’s consider a basic login screen with the following rules:

  • If both username and password are correct, the user logs in successfully.
  • If either or both inputs are incorrect, an error message is shown.
ConditionsRule 1Rule 2Rule 3Rule 4
Username (T/F)FTFT
Password (T/F)FFTT
Output (E/H)EEEH
  • E = Error message
  • H = Home screen
  • Rule 1: Both username and password are wrong β†’ Show error
  • Rule 2: Username is correct, password is wrong β†’ Show error
  • Rule 3: Username is wrong, password is correct β†’ Show error
  • Rule 4: Both are correct β†’ Navigate to homepage

Positive Scenario:

  • Correct username and correct password β†’ Expect: Navigate to homepage

Negative Scenarios (Any one is enough for coverage):

  • Incorrect username and password β†’ Expect: Error message
  • Correct username, incorrect password β†’ Expect: Error message
  • Incorrect username, correct password β†’ Expect: Error message

Now, let’s look at an upload screen where the user uploads a photo. The validation rules are:

  • Only .jpg format is allowed
  • File size must be less than 32KB
  • Image resolution must be 137×177 pixels
ConditionsRule 1Rule 2Rule 3Rule 4Rule 5Rule 6Rule 7Rule 8
Format is .jpg (T/F)TTTTFFFF
File size < 32KB (T/F)TTFFTTFF
Resolution is 137×177 (T/F)TFTFTFTF
Output (A/R)ARRRRRRR
  • A = Accept upload
  • R = Reject with error message
  • Rule 1: All conditions met β†’ Accept upload
  • Rules 2 to 8: One or more conditions failed β†’ Reject upload

Positive Test Case:

  • Upload a .jpg image with file size < 32KB and resolution 137×177 β†’ Expect: Image accepted

Negative Test Cases:

  • Format not .jpg β†’ Expect: Error
  • Size β‰₯ 32KB β†’ Expect: Error
  • Resolution incorrect β†’ Expect: Error
  • Any combination of invalid inputs β†’ Expect: Error

  • Improved Test Coverage: All possible input combinations are considered
  • Clarity: Test conditions and expected outcomes are clearly documented
  • Error Detection: Easily identify missing or redundant rules
  • Efficiency: Helps reduce the number of test cases by combining similar ones
  • Automation-Friendly: Can be converted into automated scripts

Previous Post: Boundary Value Analysis and Equivalence Partitioning in Software Testing:-

Decision Table Testing is a powerful and efficient technique that helps testers handle complex business logic by converting requirements into structured test cases. Whether you’re working on a simple login screen or an upload feature with multiple validations, decision tables ensure all possible scenarios are considered.

Using this method, QA professionals can produce accurate, maintainable, and reusable test cases that improve software quality and reduce bugs in production.

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