Description

Test definition is all about modelling and structuring test cases for later use in test plans and execution of tests.

The test definition is project specific.
Every project has its own definition tree which allows structuring tests in a folder hierarchy.
The definition tree serves as basis for creating test plans from the the contained tests.
Those tests don't necessarily need to come from the same project the definition tree belongs to.
It's also possible for test to be part of multiple definition trees at the same time.

The three main entities used during test definition are tests, test steps and test parameters.

Tests are basically JIRA issues extended with test steps and test parameters.
A test represents a single executable entity for a specific test case. It can be executed on its own or as part of a test plan.

Test steps represent atomic actions that have to be executed during the execution of a test.

Parameters are simple key-value pairs and serve as variables in test steps.
They're used to input plan specific or execution specific data to test steps without the need of modifying the actual test definition.