test-data-strategy

# Test Data Strategy

## When to Use This Skill

Use this skill when:

- **Test Data Strategy tasks** - Working on plan comprehensive test data management including synthetic data generation, data anonymization, versioning, and environment-specific strategies
- **Planning or design** - Need guidance on Test Data Strategy approaches
- **Best practices** - Want to follow established patterns and standards

## Overview

Effective test data management ensures tests have the right data at the right time while protecting sensitive information and maintaining data quality across environments.

## Test Data Types

| Type | Source | Use Case | Privacy Risk |
|------|--------|----------|--------------|
| **Synthetic** | Generated | Unit/Integration tests | None |
| **Subset** | Production sample | Performance testing | Medium |
| **Masked** | Anonymized production | Realistic scenarios | Low |
| **Production Clone** | Full copy | Pre-prod validation | High |
| **Baseline** | Curated reference | Regression testing | Low |

## Test Data Strategy Template

```markdown
# Test Data Strategy: [Project Name]

## 1. Data Requirements

### By Test Level
| Level | Data Source | Volume | Refresh |
|-------|-------------|--------|---------|
| Unit | Synthetic | Minimal | On-demand |
| Integration | Synthetic/Subset | Moderate | Per run |
| System | Masked production | Realistic | Weekly |
| Performance | Scaled synthetic | Production-like | Per release |

### By Feature Area
| Feature | Critical Data | Volume Required | Sensitivity |
|---------|---------------|-----------------|-------------|
| Authentication | User accounts | 1000 | High |
| Payments | Transactions | 10000 | High |
| Reporting | Historical data | 1M records | Medium |

## 2. Data Generation Strategy

### Synthetic Data Tools
- **Unit Tests**: AutoFixture, Bogus
- **Integration**: TestContainers + Seed
- **Performance**: Bulk generators

### Generation Rules
| Entity | Key Fields | Generation Logic |
|--------|----------