Scenario Matrix Template

About

A Scenario Matrix Template for Load Testing helps organize and track test cases that measure how a system performs under expected or peak user loads. The goal is to ensure that the system can handle the anticipated number of concurrent users, requests, or transactions without performance degradation or failure.

This matrix ensures:

• All critical business flows are tested under expected and stress conditions

• System behaviour is measured in terms of response time, throughput, resource utilization, and error rates

• Bottlenecks are identified before production deployment

• Tests simulate realistic load patterns, including steady-state and peak periods

Scenarios often include API load simulation, concurrent user workflows, database-heavy operations, and background processing tasks.

Template

Scenario ID	Scenario Description	Preconditions	Test Data / Inputs	Steps to Execute	Expected Result	Priority	Remarks
LT-01	Steady-state load test for primary API	Test environment with monitoring tools	Target TPS (Transactions Per Second) and payload	Simulate steady API requests for defined duration	Response times remain within SLA, no errors	High	Baseline load validation
LT-02	Peak load simulation	Test environment ready for high volume	Peak concurrent user count	Ramp up load gradually to peak level	System remains stable, no critical failures	High	Ensures readiness for real peak
LT-03	Concurrent user workflow execution	Application with login & transactions	500+ concurrent virtual users	Simulate login, transaction, logout flow	All workflows complete within expected time	High	End-to-end concurrency validation
LT-04	Database-heavy query load	DB populated with large dataset	High-frequency query requests	Run queries at sustained rate	DB responds within performance limits	Medium	Identifies database bottlenecks
LT-05	File upload/download load test	System supports file operations	Multiple concurrent file requests	Upload and download files simultaneously	File transfers complete without timeout	Medium	Validates I/O handling capacity
LT-06	Background job under load	Application with batch processes	High API traffic + scheduled job	Run background job during load	Job completes without impacting active users	Medium	Verifies background process stability
LT-07	Third-party API load handling	External sandbox available	Concurrent API calls limit	Simulate calls to external API under load	System handles delays/failures gracefully	Medium	Checks integration resilience
LT-08	Session handling capacity	Application with session tracking	10,000+ concurrent sessions	Simulate session creation and activity	No unexpected session drops or memory leaks	High	Ensures session stability
LT-09	Network latency impact	Load test tool with latency simulation	Variable network delays	Simulate load under poor network	Performance degrades gracefully	Low	Real-world network simulation
LT-10	Recovery after peak load	Load test completed	Application state after load	Reduce load to normal traffic	System recovers quickly with no residual issues	High	Confirms post-load stability