Creating a test plan for PowerApps Portals (also called Power Pages) ensures that all functionality, user experience, data integrity, and security aspects are properly verified before release. A solid test plan helps avoid bugs, ensure usability, and ensure portal compliance with business requirements.
Below is a step-by-step test plan, explained in detail (around 1000 words), covering structure, components, and strategies.
1. What Is a Test Plan for Portals?
A test plan is a document that defines:
- The scope of testing
- Objectives of the test effort
- Test types and strategies
- Responsibilities
- Tools required
- Test schedule
- Deliverables
For PowerApps Portals, the test plan should cover:
- Portal pages and navigation
- Entity Forms & Lists
- Security roles and permissions
- Integration with Power Automate, Dataverse
- User experience across devices
- Custom JavaScript or embedded code
- Performance under load
2. Goals and Objectives of the Test Plan
Goals:
- Ensure the portal works as expected
- Verify data accuracy and permissions
- Identify UX or functional issues
- Confirm that automated flows and integrations run correctly
- Guarantee security and data access control
Objectives:
- Validate the design and layout across browsers
- Test CRUD operations on forms and lists
- Validate access control based on roles (anonymous vs logged-in users)
- Ensure automation triggers (flows) work when expected
- Confirm error messages are meaningful
3. Scope of Testing
In-Scope:
- Portal content (pages, menus)
- Authentication and authorization
- Entity Forms, Lists, and custom actions
- Embedded Power Automate triggers
- Custom JavaScript and plugins
- Responsive design and cross-browser compatibility
Out of Scope (for MVP releases):
- Load testing (unless explicitly needed)
- Full performance benchmarking
- External integration stress testing
4. Types of Testing
| Test Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Functional Testing | Check whether portal pages, forms, and workflows perform as expected |
| Regression Testing | Verify existing features work after changes or updates |
| Role-Based Testing | Test what different users (e.g., admin, customer) can see or do |
| Usability Testing | Evaluate the ease of use, navigation, and accessibility |
| Cross-Browser Testing | Verify rendering and interactions on Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Safari |
| Integration Testing | Check how well the portal communicates with Dataverse, Power Automate |
| Negative Testing | Test with invalid input to ensure proper error handling |
| Security Testing | Validate role permissions, data visibility, and restricted access |
| Mobile Responsiveness | Test design on mobile phones and tablets |
| Automation Testing (optional) | Use Selenium or Playwright to test forms or flows automatically |
5. Test Environment
- Portal URL: Test version (UAT) of the portal
- Dataverse Environment: Linked with non-prod Power Platform environment
- Test Accounts:
- Admin
- Authenticated User
- Anonymous User
- Browser versions: Latest Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Microsoft Edge
6. Test Data Preparation
| Data Type | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Dummy User Accounts | Simulate role-based access |
| Sample Form Records | Test submission, edit, delete actions |
| Lookup Values | Check dropdowns, dependent fields |
| Date/Time Variations | Validate formatting and submission |
| Boundary Data | Check max length, numeric limits, file size upload |
7. Test Case Design
Here’s a sample template for your test cases:
| Test Case ID | Title | Pre-Conditions | Steps | Expected Result | Actual Result | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TC001 | Login as Admin | Portal deployed, admin user exists | 1. Go to login page 2. Enter admin credentials | Admin dashboard appears | Matches | Pass |
| TC002 | Submit Contact Form | Anonymous user | 1. Go to Contact Us 2. Fill form 3. Click Submit | Success message shown | Matches | Pass |
| TC003 | Edit Entity Record | Authenticated user | 1. Login 2. Go to My Records 3. Click Edit 4. Save | Data updated in Dataverse | Partial | Fail |
Include tests for:
- Navigation and links
- Portal search (if enabled)
- Entity form validations
- Attachments and file uploads
- Entity list filtering, sorting, pagination
- Flow execution confirmation (email sent, record created, etc.)
8. Testing Schedule
| Phase | Duration | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Test Planning | 2 days | Define scope, roles, and setup |
| Test Case Design | 3 days | Write and review test cases |
| Execution Round 1 | 4 days | Perform all functional tests |
| Bug Fix & Retest | 3 days | Resolve issues and verify |
| Regression Round | 2 days | Ensure new fixes didn’t break existing features |
9. Roles & Responsibilities
| Role | Responsibility |
|---|---|
| QA Lead | Coordinate testing activities, manage test plan |
| Functional Tester | Execute test cases, log defects |
| Developer | Fix bugs and support QA |
| Business Analyst | Validate user stories are covered |
| UAT Users | Give feedback and validate features meet needs |
10. Tools to Use
- Microsoft Test Manager / Azure DevOps – For managing test cases
- Browser Developer Tools – For JavaScript debugging and mobile view
- Power Automate Monitor – To verify flow executions
- Postman – For testing API endpoints if custom APIs are integrated
- Selenium / Playwright (optional) – For UI automation tests
- Power Apps Portal Checker – To run performance/security diagnostics
11. Bug Reporting Format
Use this format or tool like Azure DevOps:
| Field | Example |
|---|---|
| Title | Cannot submit form when attachments are uploaded |
| Steps to Reproduce | 1. Open form 2. Add file 3. Submit |
| Expected | Form submits and success message shows |
| Actual | Error “file too large” with no details |
| Severity | High |
| Status | Open |
| Assigned To | Developer 1 |
12. Exit Criteria
Testing can be considered complete when:
- 100% of critical test cases are passed
- All major defects are resolved
- User acceptance tests are signed off
- Portal is stable across browsers and roles