A test strategy matrix identifies the concerns that will become the focus of test planning and execution. In this way, this matrix becomes an input to develop the testing strategy. The matrix is prepared using test factors and test phase. The steps to prepare this matrix are discussed below.

Select and rank test factors: Based on the test factors list, the most appropriate factors according to specific systems are selected and ranked from the most significant to the least. These are the rows of the matrix.

Identify system development phases̤ Different phases according to the adopted development model are listed as columns of the matrix. These are called test phases.

Identify risks associated with the system under development: In the column under each of the test phases, the test concern with the strategy used to address this concern is entered. The purpose is to identify the concerns that need to be addressed under a test phase. The risks may include any event, action, or circumstance that may prevent the test program from being implemented or executed according to a schedule, such as late budget approvals, delayed arrival of test equipment, or late availability of the software application. As risks are identified, they must be assessed for impact and then mitigated with strategies for overcoming them, because risks may be realized despite all precautions having been taken. The test team must carefully examine risks in order to derive effective test and mitigation strategies for a particular application. Concerns should be expressed as questions so that the test strategy becomes a high-level focus for testers when they reach the phase where it's most appropriate to address a concern.