Category: Process

What is Data Driven Testing? How to Create a Data Driven Automation Framework

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What is Data Driven Testing?

Data Driven Testing is an Automation framework where we can alliteratively run multiple data set from an external source like a table for the same test script-instead of hard coding.

Multiple data sets and test environment can be controlled and run without hard coding and results obtained can be compared.

If data is hard coded it is highly tedious, monotonous and inefficient to run the same test script for different data set.

This becomes easier when data from different sources can be fed as input, this input gets verified and result outputs obtained can be compared.

data driven testing

Types of Data Driven Testing

Data-driven testing can be broadly classified into three parts:

  • Data-driven scripts: Data-Driven Scripts are application-specific scripts (like JavaScript) that are coded to include variable data sets.
  • Keyword-driven test automation: Keyword Driven Test Automation is also known as Table Driven Test Automation. In keyword Driven test automation a data table using keyword id deployed for testing
  • Hybrid Test automation: It is a blend of Data-Driven and Keyword Driven Automation Frameworks.

Why Data Driven Testing?

Data-Driven testing tests application with multiple data sets ensuring extensive testing. It also allows in organizing Test data and validation data in a single file.

Example:

For example, we have a login system that has to be tested for multiple input fields with different data sets.

We can test it using different approaches:

Approach 1) For every data set creates separate scripts and execute each of it one by one.

Approach 2) Every time you have to run the test case for different data set, annually change it in the test script and execute it for all required number of data sets.

Approach 3) Import the data in an excel sheet and fetch this data one by one from the excel and run the script.

Executing the test scripts using approach 1 and 2 are very time consuming and lengthy process, the third method or what we call data-driven framework is ideal for such scenarios.

 Importance of  Data Driven Testing?

In real life applications with frequent changes in data set such as addition, modification and deletion of data, hard coding data makes it difficult or almost impossible to run each time.

Data Driven Testing makes it much easier to use and maintain voluminous data individually in tables.

Manually to cover all the scenarios, a tester may have to design multiple test scripts or edit existing test scripts multiple times and run it individually.

Thus, making this difficult or almost impossible task. For a Manual Tester, it is humongous and monotonous.

That’s exactly when Data Driven Testing comes to the rescue. Test Data can be fed from a table or other sources, independently without making changes to the test script.

All these data run for the same test script iteratively and results obtained can be compared.

Procedure Simplified

Test data are stored in an easily maintainable manner like tables or rows and columns and then passed as input variables to the AUT.

Test scripts and Data Provider are two separate entities having no direct impact on each other. Verified results from each test execution are then compared from expected results of the Data Provider.

Data Provider

Data can be fed in different forms. Few popular ones are

  • Internal table
  • Spreadsheet
  • CSV file
  • XML file

Data Driven Script

Scripts containing hard-coded data can be tough to maintain and sometimes they can break the execution.

In Data Driven Testing Test scripts and Test Data are separated and made into separate entities.

Hence Data Provider is independent of test script and both can be modified individually without impacting each other.

Real Life Citation

We shall take an example of online registration form. Data from Registration forms increase frequently sometimes every day. Each User registration add data rows in database.

1.Let’s take a simple form with Name, Email, Password and Confirm Password

2. Test Scenarios are identified and test cases are designed.

3. For now, consider only happy path – validating that data in table and actual result are correct.

4. Now let’s feed multiple data from a spreadsheet, csv file or the like as a table as below

5. During Test execution test script is run and data is taken from the table.Each data is executed one after the other in iteration row after row.

6. Once script is executed, actual results and expected results are compared.

7. Notice that data has been modified – added newly at the end of the table, edited existing in the middle row and deleted in-between the table.

This can be easily done by modifying the Data table like below without touching the script.

This can be easily done by modifying the Data table like below without touching the script.

8. Data has been modified easily without changing the script.

What is the Difference between Keyword Driven Testing and Data Driven Testing?

Difference between Keyword Driven Testing and Data Driven Testing

In Data driven testing test scripts are executed for a different set of data to validate proper working of application with different variable values. Here data is used as inputs to your test script. Every data contributes to a test case and hence with every different test data you have a different test case.

On the other hand, in Keyword-driven testing, a keyword represents action. A set of keywords drives a script. These keywords build test scripts.

Example of Data Driven Testing

Example of Data Driven Testing

Let us understand data driven testing more deeply by taking an example of a Login Page of a Flight Reservation

1) Create a test data file in Comma Separated Values and name it as TestData.csv

2)  Inputs for driver script and expected results are stored in this file.

3) Create a driver script for the data file as

data = open(‘TestData.csv’).read()

 lines = data.splitlines()

4) Steps for data script will be

  • Read Value1
  • Read Value2
  • Read Operator

5) Calculate the result

6) Compare the expected result with the actual result.

Automation Framework For Data Driven Testing

Automation Framework For Data Driven Testing

This method can be used integrating with various Test Automation Tools like Selenium, QTP, TestComplete, TestNG etc    

How to Create a Data Driven Automation Framework?

Let us take Test Login functionality. 

1) Classify the Test Cases 

  • Right username and password 
  • Wrong username and the right password 
  • Right username and wrong password 

2) Make Test Steps for Test Cases 

  Test Case#

    Description

   Test Steps

       Test Data

Expected Results

1

Check Login for valid credentials
  1. Launch the application
  2. Enter Username password
  3. Click Okay
  4. Check Results

Username: valid password: valid

Login Success

2

Check Login for invalid credentials
  1. Launch the application
  2. Enter Username password
  3. Click Okay
  4. Check Results

Username: invalid password: valid

Login Fail

3

Check Login for invalid credentials
  1. Launch the application
  2. Enter Username password
  3. Click Okay
  4. Check Results

Username: valid password: invalid

Login Fail

3) Develop Test Script

// This is Pseudo Code

// Test Step 1: Launch Application

driver.get(“URL of the Application”); 

// Test Step 2: Enter Username

txtbox_username.sendKeys(“valid”);

// Test Step 3: Enter Password

txtbox_password.sendKeys(“invalid”);

// Test Step 4: Check Results

If (Next Screen) print success else Fail

4) Make excel/csv for Input Test Data

Make excel/csv for Input Test Data

5) Alter the Script for various Input Test Data.

// This is Pseudo Code

// Loop 3 Times

for (i = 0; i & lt; = 3; i++) {

    // Read data from Excel and store into variables

    int input_1 = ReadExcel(i, 0);

    int input_2 = ReadExcel(i, 1);

    // Test Step 1: Launch Application

    driver.get(“URL of the Application”);

    // Test Step 2: Enter Username

    txtbox_username.sendKeys(input_1);

    // Test Step 3: Enter Password

    txtbox_password.sendKeys(input_2);

    // Test Step 4: Check Results

    If(Next Screen) print success

    else Fail

}

Advantages of Data Driven Testing

  • Test Data can be stored in a single file making it easy to maintain, monitor and track.
  • Test Data and Test scripts are separate entities. Hence changes in one does not impact the other.
  • Large volumes of data can be executed thereby improving Regression testing and better coverage
  • Smoother maintenance of test scripts making addition, editing and deletion of data rows easy and hence less time consuming
  • Manual effort involved is less and hence it is cost effective

Disadvantages of Data Driven Testing

  • Requires great expertise of scripting language
  • Each time a new test case is designed and a new driver script will be required with different data so that the changes made to the test cases should reflect in the driver script or vice versa.

Conclusion

Data Driven Testing a very good strategy if we have huge volumes of data to be tested for same scripts provided there is a highly skilled testing team. And it does not suit projects that do not have much work with data.

Software Testing Process – What Happens in Software Testing?

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Understanding the Software Testing Process can be difficult even for the best of us. Discussed below is the basic template of the software testing process that is adapted by testers based on their particular requirements.
What is Software Testing?
Software Testing refers to the process of evaluating software and its components to identify any errors, bugs or errors that might potentially disrupt the functionality of the software.
It is essential to undertake a Software Testing Process as it bridges the gap between the existing and the required system software through the detection of the defects prior to the launch of the Software so that they can be corrected in time.

What are the Different Types of Software Testing Process?

Depending on the project requirements, budget associations and expertise of the team, Software Testing Process can be conducted in two ways
Software Testing Process
Manual Testing and Automation Testing.
1) Manual Testing
Manual Testing is the Software Testing Process that allows the tester to locate bugs or defects in the Software Program being tested.
The role of the tester is to use the software like the end user would, and then identify problems and mitigate them to ensure optimum functionality of the Software.
The tester is solely responsible for executing all test cases manually without turning to any automation tools.
The execution is undertaken by the tester preparing a test plan document detailing the systematic approach to Software Testing.
2) Automation Testing
Automation Testing is a technique that uses an application to undertake the implementation of the Software Testing Cycle in its entirety.
It uses scripted sequences executed by Testing Tools. It is a process that validates software functionality prior to the release of the Software into Production.
It is a way of simplifying manual efforts into a set of scripts that can be accessed and worked upon by the system. Automation Testing considerably reduces the time involved in the whole process of Software Testing while simultaneously enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of the process.
Depending on the Software Testing Process that is followed, there are two major types of Software Testing.
These are discussed below.
1) Structured Software Testing
This is the kind of Software Testing wherein the tests and test cases are derived from a thorough knowledge of the structural code of the Software and its Internal Implementation.
Since it directly deals with the knowledge of the code, it is mostly undertaken by a trained team of developers.
2) Unstructured Software Testing
This is the kind of Software Testing that is performed without prior planning or documentation.
It is considered to be the least formal testing method and is only intended to run once unless of course an error is detected.
In that case, it is run repeatedly until the error is mitigated. Also known as Ad Hoc Testing, it is performed by Improvisation, as the sole aim is to detect a bug by taking up whatever means needed.
The following of the sequential steps that comprise the Structured Software Testing Life Cycle, ensure that standards are met with respect to the quality of the Software in question.
What are the Different Phases in the Structured Software Testing Life Cycle?
Requirement Analysis
The first step in the Software Testing Life Cycle is to identify which are the features of the Software that can be tested and how.
Any requirement of the Software that is revealed to be un-testable is identified at this stage, and subsequent mitigation strategies are planned. The Requirements that are arrived at here can either be Functional (related to the basic functions the software is supposed to do) in nature or Non-Functional (related to system performance or security availability).
Deliverables

  • RTM – Requirement Traceability Matrix.
  • Automation Feasibility Report

Test Planning
Now that the testing team has a list of requirements that are to be tested, the next step for them is to devise activities and resources, which are crucial to the practicality of the testing process. This is where the metrics are also identified, which will facilitate the supervision of the testing process. A senior Quality Assurance Manager will be involved at this stage to determine the cost estimates for the project. It is only after running the plan by the QA manager that the Test Plan will be finalized.
Deliverables

  • Test Plan or Strategy Document
  • Effort Estimation Document

Test Analysis
This stage answers to the ‘What are we testing question?’. The test conditions are understood and accessed not just through the requirements that have been identified at the first stage, but also another related test basis like the product’s risks. Other factors that are taken into account while arriving at suitable test conditions are –

  • Different levels and depth of testing
  • Complexity levels of the product
  • Risks associated with the product and the project
  • The involvement of the Software Development Life Cycle
  • Skillset, knowledge, expertise, and experience of the team
  • Availability of the different stakeholders.

Test Design
If the Software Testing Process were answers to a series of questions (which it is), this stage would answer the question – ‘How to go about testing the Software?’
The answer, however, depends on a lot of tasks that need to be completed at this point in the process.
These are –

  • Working on with the predefined test conditions. This requires breaking down of the test conditions into multiple sub-conditions so that all areas can get their due coverage.
  • Identifying and collecting all data related to the test, and using it to set up a test environment conducive to the software.
  • Developing metrics to track the requirements and test coverage.

Test Implementation
Now that all the basic structuring work has been done, the next step is to plan how the test structure that has been devised will be implemented.
This means that all test cases are to be arranged according to their priority and a preliminary review is in order to ensure that all test cases are accurate in themselves and in relation to other test cases.
If needed the test cases and test scripts will undergo an additional reworking to work with the larger picture.
Deliverables

  • Environment ready with test data set up
  • Smoke Test results

Test Execution
When all is said and done, this is where the real action begins. All the planning and management culminates into this – the Execution of the Software Test. This involves a thorough testing of the Software, yes, but also a recording of the test results at every point of the execution process.
So, not only will you be keeping a record of the defects or errors as and when they arise, but you will also be simultaneously tracking your progress with the traceability metrics that have been identified in the earlier stages.
Test Conclusion
This is where the Exit criteria begin by ensuring that all results of the Software Testing Process are duly reported to the concerned stakeholders.
There are different ways of making regular reports, weekly or daily. A consensus is to be arrived at between the stakeholders and the testers, to ensure that parties are up-to-date with which stage is the Software Testing Process at.
Depending on the Project Managers and their awareness of the Software Testing Process, the reports can be intensely technical or written in easily understandable non-technical language for a layman.
Deliverables

  • Competed RTM with the execution status
  • Test cases updated with results
  • Defect Reports

Test Cycle Closure
This last stage is more of seeing off of the Software Testing Process. It is where you tick off the checklist and make sure all actions that were started during the process have reached their completion.
This involves making concluding remarks on all actions of the testing process with respect to their execution and/or mitigation.
Also, a revisiting of the entire Software Testing Process as it concludes, will help the team in understanding and reviewing their activities so that lessons can be learned from the testing process and similar mistakes (if any) be avoided in the next Software Testing Cycle the team undertakes.
Deliverables

  • Test Closure Report
  • Test Metrics

This is a complete guide to the Software Testing Process. While the particulars of the process might vary depending on the specific type of Software Testing Technique that is being used by the team, the process, in general, undergoes all these steps.
Though, the end goal remains the same, i.e., to ensure that the Software has been perfected before it is passed on to the Production Team.
There is no point to having a Software that is fueled with bugs that make it impossible for the end users to use it productively. Therefore, irrespective of how it is undertaken, Software Testing is an important process in the Development of the Software.

Ideas to improve your Software Testing Process

1. Double confirm the requirements from the client. Make sure there are no ambiguities. If there are any get them sorted out at the onset. The entire quality is based on the user requirements; you cannot afford to go wrong in this area.
2. Get involved from the beginning of the development process to get a comprehensive understanding of the AUT which would, in turn, help you identify areas needing more intensive testing
3. During the design phase, you can start working on test cases based on design documents and with the help of the developers. This will mean less time for creating and updating test cases during the actual testing phase.
4. The test plan should be written by a Manager or QA lead. The good test plan will cover deadlines, scope, schedule, risk identifications among other things. Make sure to have it reviewed by the project manager as well for concurrence.
5. Ensure that the quality is maintained right from the beginning irrespective of whether it is development, testing or network support. QA’s are like the gatekeepers of quality, they should not let anything pass which is not as per the expected quality.
6. Testing as early as possible and as frequently as possible also helps get more detailed testing done. Do not worry about the number of modules delivered, if you have the bandwidth get the testing done for even a single module.
7. User training should be provided to the QA team for a better understanding of the way the product is actually used by the clients or end users. This will also help them in testing the product better.
8. While creating test cases make sure that all the permutation and combination of different types of data input are covered. Use the well-known principles like boundary value analysis (BVA), Equivalence Partitioning (EP), Decision Table This ensures that the code is tested thoroughly.
9. Always ensure that testing goes in parallel with development. Make sure to test individual modules as and when they are ready for testing instead of waiting for the completion of the entire module.
10. Make use of stubs and drivers to testing smaller modules which requiring input from other modules or are pushing data to other subsystems.
11. Make a distinction between testable and non-testable items in the requirement document and include it as part of the test plan. This will be helpful in having confusion later on.
12. Always ensure that one test case covers only 1 validation point. Though in some cases it may lead to duplication and extra effort for writing the test cases, this is needed for better traceability of the bugs.
13. Test Coverage is an important aspect of ensuring a quality product. Use a traceability matrix to make sure each requirement is mapped to at least one or more test cases. This ensures complete coverage of the system.
14. Ensure that the test case documents are completed, reviewed and signed off by the stakeholders before the actual testing starts. Also, make sure that the test cases document is made available to the rest of the team for understanding and doubt clearance if any.
15. Identify and group test cases based on their importance or priority. This is helpful at the time when only limited test cases can be run during a particular testing cycle. This grouping is also needed when you aim to run or re-run only a particular set based on their priority.
16. You can also have test cases grouped based on functionality. This is useful at the time of regression testing done after a bug fix in any particular module. For example, if there has been a bug fix related to functionality in module A, then you can pick all test cases grouped as module A for the next regression test.
17. Reviews are important to ensure correctness, following of guidelines etc. Ensure that all test cases are reviewed internally within the team (peer review) and once externally also to ensure correctness of the expected results and any other discrepancies.
18. Involve tools to make your life simpler. Tools like Quality Centre, Test Complete, Rally etc. make your life much easier by taking care of a lot of metrics generation and data collection. These tools help you manage your testing projects in a much better and more professional manner.
19. Automation is very important. It reduces manual effort on repetitive tasks. So it is always a good choice to go in for automation of modules or features which are stable and repetitive.
20. Encourage team members to come up with innovative thoughts to make the testing process less time consuming but at the same time more fruitful. Many minds at work is always better than a single one.
21. Always have clear precise and achievable deliverables. Keep a 10% buffer for retesting and other risks. Keeps you and your plan safe and viable.
22. Version control all your artefacts. This is especially important if you are using automation. Make sure the code is version controlled so you are able to create multiple branches and each one should be easy to revert back to in the worst cases if needed.
23. If feasible implement CI/CD. This ensures that each time a build is created the automation suite is run automatically to check if the basic build and its functionalities are in place or not. This helps save a lot of time as well as human error in forgetting to test a particular build.
24. Delegate responsibility to team members for modules or smaller sections. This makes them work harder for ensuring the quality
25. Always look at the software from the eyes of the user as a product and not as a project. The product is most important, think like a consumer when you use the product.
Test Environment and Teams
26. Has the environment set up in such a way that it replicates the production environment as closely as possible?
27. Ensure that all API’s, backend systems, user access, admin roles, test data and any other input needed are set up well ahead of the testing cycle. This is to ensure a loss of time in setting up when the testing window in open.
28.  Always have a healthy relationship with the development team. This will help in a quick turnaround in case of clarifications.
29. Always ensure to have constant communication with the developer at every stage of the testing process so that everyone is aware of the testing activity in the process.
30. Have at least one person from the testing team join the daily project meetings, so that the testing is aware of the modules coming up for testing in the next release and hence can start preparing for it.
31. During the testing phase, have a daily meeting within the team, to clear any doubts and get additional information where ever needed. This is also helpful in tracking the testing progress.
32. Each team has a role to play in the delivery of a good quality software product. Ensure that each team is assigned clear cut guidelines and areas, avoiding a conflict of interest.
33. Establish a clear and precise communication plan along with SPOC (Single point of contact) list and escalation matrix which will contain a list people or contacts to be used in case of any escalations or in cases where information is needed immediately.
34. It is always advisable to have the team members test a different module each time. The reason is twofold. For one the tester get a better understanding of the complete project instead of a single module and also new bugs can be found if the module is tested by fresh testers each time.
35. Always be prepared for changes and contingencies this also includes the risks. Planning such situations help you avoid panic and face the scenario more gracefully too.
36. Always maintain a risk register and review it frequently. You can also have a time slot set aside with all the stakeholders to review this risk register say weekly. Also, make sure that all risks and mitigation plans are captured accurately.
37. Maintain and update simple metrics as defect found, defects fixed and percentage completion, quality level etc. Send out these metrics to all stakeholders and people involved preferably in a pictorial format, along with the comparison with previous week’s data. This will have a much greater impact and visibility than you can imagine. Give it a try.
38. Monitor your production app. And yes for the unfortunate bugs that do find their way to production, make sure they are included as part of the regression test suite with a high priority.
Overall Issues and Reporting
All the information regarding bugs and product development should be maintained in a common Share Point or repository for everyone to access and derive reports when needed.
40. Always have a fresh and open mind when testing software. Have no assumptions. And always refer to the requirements document for doubts and clarifications.
41. The entire product module should be divided into smaller parts to ensure each and every part is tested thoroughly
42. Always ensure to have included the maximum details in the bug report which should include the user credentials, navigations or step to reproduce, expected and actual results, environment, version, logs and screenshots of the error.
43. Always give clear instructions to reproduce an issue. Do not assume that the reader will know the application. Mention each object (button, link, edit box etc.) and action to be performed (click, enter, double click etc.) along with the pages navigated.
44. Discuss and reach a consensus before the starting of the testing on the number of high priority and medium priority bugs can remain open or deferred at the time of movement to production
45. Metrics are important criteria proving the effectiveness of any testing process. Choose appropriate metrics based on the project you are working on. Defect Density, Defect Removal Rate, Testing Efficiency, Test Case Execution Rate etc. are some commonly used software testing metrics.
46. Verbal communications should be topped up by documenting the same in email and shared with relevant stakeholders. This not only creates better visibility but is also helpful in having a chronological record of communications.
47. TDD – Test Driven Development is a newer form of development which takes the base from the test cases. This can also be employed for a better quality of code development.
48. Have a UAT testing at least once before the product is released into production. This will be useful in identifying issues which are related to actual client usage. UAT testing is best performed by the users themselves.
49. Always keep a check on the time taken by the development to fix the bugs. This data is part of an important metrics which is used to calculate the overall efficiency of the development team.
50. Last but not least, trust your instincts. Yes, the QA people sense issues. So just follow your instincts, if you feel a certain area can have issues, mark my words there more chances that issues will be found in that part of the code.

As important as testing and quality assurance is, we should give it the time and resources it needs. This pays off in the long run. These tips will be helpful to you for implementing a good test strategy as well as a quality product.

Happy testing…!!!

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How does Use Case Testing Inspect User-Software Interaction?

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What is use case testing? To begin with, use case is a tool which helps in defining the user interaction. Imagine a case where you are trying to create a new user registration or make changes to existing user application.

Several interactions in this step are possible and in this process, you need to think how to represent the requirements for the solution. Business developing experts here has understanding about requirement. In order to reduce miscommunications in the process and structure the communication, use case comes into the scenario.
This article will help to understand the concept of use case testing through getting to know the aspects involved in the process.
Use Case Testing
In the phases and life cycle of software development, use case plays an important role. The entire process depends on the actions of the user and response by the system to the actions. Hence it can be seen as documentation of the actions which is performed by the user or actor and then the corresponding interaction by the system to those actions. Not all the use cases are result in achieving the goal by user to the interactions with system.
In use case, the system responds to the situation or behavior. It is user-oriented rather than system oriented. That is, they are actions which are done by the actor/user and not the output produced by the system. Hence the development team writes the ‘use cases’ as this phase depends on them. The writer of use cases, team of development, customers, all of them together contribute towards the creation of use cases and testing.
The development team will assemble the cases as they are aware and highly are knowledgeable about the concepts. Once the case is implemented and document is tested, the behavior of the system is checked as required.
‘Use Case’ documents: What are they?
Use case documentation helps to gather complete overview of all the several ways in which the user interacts with system to achieve the desired objective. The documentation will help to check the requirements for the software system and what are lacking in this process.

Also Read: Agile Testing – An effective Software Testing Methodology

Who uses ‘Use Case’ documents?
As the documentation helps to get an overview of ways in which user can interact with the system, a better documentation is always required for easier results. This documentation will be useful to the software developers and software testers along with the stakeholders.
There are several types of uses to these documents. It helps developers to implement the code and design the same. Further, testers use them to create test cases. Business stake holders, on other hand, use the documentation in order to understand how the software works and their respective requirements.
Types of Use Cases
There are two types of use cases, namely, sunny day and rainy day.
Sunny day use cases: They are cases which happen when everything goes well. They are high priority use cases than others and once these are completed, we can give these to the team for undertaking a review in order to ensure that all that is required is covered in these cases.

Rainy day use cases: These can be defined as edge cases. These cases are next to important after sunny use cases. Stakeholders and product manages can help at later stage to prioritize these cases
Elements in Use Cases
The major elements of the use cases are
Brief Introduction which helps to explain the case
Actor, that is, the users which are involved in use case actions
Precondition, which is the conditions need to be satisfied before the case begins
Basic Flow, or the main scenario which is normal workflow in the system. In other words, this is flow of transactions done by actors to accomplish their goals.
Alternate flow, which is less common interaction done by actor with system
Exception flow, which prevents a user from achieving the goal
Post conditions which are required to be checked after the case is finished.
Use case testing: What is it?
The use case testing comes under functional black box testing technique. Since it is black box testing, there won’t be inspection of codes. The testing ensures that the path of user is working as required and if it can accomplish the task successfully.
Use case testing is not a type of testing which is performed to understand or assess the quality of a software. It won’t ensure that the entire application is covered. Further, based on the test result, we cannot decide the production environment.
Use case testing helps finding out defects in integration testing. It is a technique in which we can identify the test cases on basis of transactions from start to finish.
Example
Imagine a situation where a user is buying something from online shopping website. User is first required to log in to the system and perform a search action. The user then selects items in results and will add the required in the cart.

Also Read: Code Refactoring: Why Is It Crucial For Software Testers

After this process, user is supposed to check out. This is an example how the steps are connected in the series logically where the user is performing a task in the system to accomplish his goal. These are the flow of transactions in the system from end to end is tested in the use case testing. This testing is generally a path which users are likely to use for achieving a task.
Hence the first step in testing is to review the use case documents and make sure that the functional requirements are correct and finished. Second step is to make sure that the use cases are atomic. It is further required to inspect the workflow in the system and if it is continuous. Based on knowledge of the system or domain, once the workflow is inspected and ensured right, missing steps are to be found in the work flow.
After this step, it is required to ensure again that the alternate workflow of system is complete. Testing team should make sure that the each step of use case is testable. Test cases should be written in all the situations for normal and alternate flow.
Writing Use Case Testing
It is best if the test cases for main scenario is written first and then write the second for alternate steps. These steps in test cases are from use case documents. Cases are supposed to be required as steps and user or actor must be able to enter the same. Test design techniques can be used and developed to help reducing the number of test cases which can help reducing the time taken for testing.
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Writing test cases and testing is iterative process. Practice and knowledge of domain and system is required in this case. Use case testing in application can be used to find missing links and incomplete requirements. Finding and modifying the same will bring in efficiency and accuracy in to the system domain.

11 Important Software Testing Techniques (Tips Included)

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2019 has already arrived with a bang; bringing us the most unique technological solutions to rule over the out-dated ones. One sector which is sure to see new techniques is that of software testing!
New approaches for testing are being introduced in the IT industry due to the emergence of development technologies like DevOps and Agile. Therefore, the need to keep up and transform your own testing techniques according to the new ones is very important.
For this reason, we have created a list of the top 11 software testing techniques that you must look forward to this year!

1. IoT Testing
The ‘Internet of Things’ is a technology that has brought with it a radical change in the way communication between multiple devices took place traditionally. This has facilitated more and more devices to be connected together.
Therefore, IoT testing is a technique that is used to test the devices based on IoT technology. This testing process is conducted with:

A few examples of how the test cases for IoT testing should be created are:

  • Check whether the required IoT devices are successful in data connections and able to get registered to the network.
  • Check whether IoT devices are capable of transmitting large amounts of user data.
  • Check that only authorized devices are able to connect to the IoT network.
  • Check whether the device automatically disconnects or not when the SIM is removed from it.

2. Integrating Manual And Automation Testing Techniques
Since automation testing is not capable of conducting tasks from every area of testing. This is why software testers always benefit most by combining the efforts of both- manual as well as automation testing techniques.
By integrating automation testing while conducting manual tests, your productivity and efficiency can increase by 10 folds! This is why it is important to recognize and segregate the test case that can be automated.
Examples of such test cases may include:

  • Test cases that are most often needed
  • Test cases which are the most time consuming
  • Test cases that have a critical need for accuracy but have scope for human errors

For example, these test cases make up around 25% of your test plan. This will mean a 25% reduction of manual efforts and time consumption!
3. Equivalence Class Testing
This type of testing allows testers to segregate test conditions into partitions. This in turn allows test cases to be designed according to the different input domains created.
The logic behind Equivalence Class Testing is that test case for any input value from one domain is equivalent to tests for every other value from that domain.
A simple example:
Consider that the input values are valid between- 5 to 15 and 55 to 65
Therefore the test conditions created will have 3 equivalence classes-
— to 4 (invalid)
5 to 15 (valid)
16 to 54 (invalid)
55 to 65 (valid)
66 to — (invalid)
Therefore, you can now select test cases according to one value from each class, i.e., 1, 6, 38, 61 and 90
5. Agile Methodology in Digital Transformation
Organizations are going big on digital transformations in the last few years. This is because it helps in building new strategies as technology as their core to improve customer value and business.
Agile helps in defining business objectives, challenges and its use cases. Therefore, adapting this methodology in digital transformation ensures the rapid generation of quality business solutions. The best practices for Agile Methodology include:

  • Creating Work Environment

It is important to create the right type of work environment for different ‘Agile teams’. Such environments must facilitate more efficient information sharing between teams. For example, the presence of the ‘burn down chart’, which tracks the amount of work completed by one team, where everyone can see it is very important.

  • Scale Agile Initiatives with Frameworks

The most common way an organization integrates Agile is by implementing it into a particular part of their business. This, however, creates a challenge if you aim to implement Agile for bringing about end-to-end changes in your organization.
This is why it is a best practice in Agile to use frameworks to make such activities easier. Examples of such frameworks include- Nexus, LeSS, and Large Scale Scrum.
6. Decision Table Based Testing
This testing technique comes into use mostly for functions that respond to different combinations of inputs. This includes identifying the functionalities where output depends on inputs.
For example, this technique can be used to check whether a ‘submit’ button becomes available to the user when all required fields are filled.
Guidelines to create the decision table are:

  • List all inputs in rows
  • Determine all the rules in columns
  • Create all feasible input combinations in the table
  • Note the outputs against each input combination at the last row of the table

7. Cloud-Based Testing Technique
Cloud based testing includes the use of cloud-based tools for testing web, installed applications and web. These tools are used to match the environments and user traffic with the real-world.
A few tips to effectively implement the cloud-based testing techniques are:

  • Set Objectives- This testing proves to be advantageous only if you have a clear objective set for your business needs. It requires cooperation between testers and developers for conducting all tests throughout the SDLC.
  • Creating Test Strategy- Before transporting your project onto the cloud, determine the tests you need to perform, the time they will take and the risks involved in them. This will help you get an estimated idea of the testing budget.
  • Plan the Infrastructure- Create test strategies that align with the infrastructure requirements needed for building the test environment.
  • Selecting a Provider- To select the best provider, compare the quality, reliability and security being offered by them.
  • Determine Level of Access- To conduct cloud-based testing many testers must have access to the cloud. Therefore, determine how many and who all can have access to it, so as to prevent the generation of additional costs from service overuse.

8. DevOps Testing
‘Development and Operations’ is a development methodology that integrates all development functions including development and operations in the same cycle.

Also Read: Software Testing Trends 2019: What To Expect?

This methodology when used in software testing facilitates the testers to combine test cases, test automation and test designs so as to verify changes within the code while avoiding the product from crashing during the development phase.
A few DevOps testing technique tips include:

  • Test execution must be lean
  • Test cases required for particular builds need to be developed
  • Standardize all the environment requirements for testing and automate the deployments
  • Set exit criteria for every run to facilitate the go/no-go decision for production
  • The testers must have the ability to use different types of automation techniques over different cross-platform environments.

9. Big Data Testing
Big Data testing helps in ensuring that the quality of data is uncompromising. It’s going to be widely used testing technique this year because of the decreasing costs of data storage. In this type of testing, testers verify whether the terabytes of data have been successfully processed using supportive components like commodity cluster or not.
A few examples of the test cases in big data testing are:

  • Determine if the correct alter mechanisms, such as Mail on alert, are executed.
  • Check whether errors and exceptions are properly displayed with appropriate error messages so that error/exception handling becomes easy.
  • Implementing integration testing for complete workflow, from data ingestion till its storage or visualization.
  • Performance testing for different parameters of processing random data and monitoring parameters like time taken in execution of particular metrics.

10. Error Guessing
This is a technique where the tester bases of his test cases primarily by guessing the error which can occur in the code. The tester use their past experience to identify the problematic areas in the application.
A few guidelines for this type of testing are:

  • Test cases should be made using past experience with similar type of applications
  • Keep track of previous error areas
  • It is necessary to have an understanding of the application under test
  • The tester must have knowledge of common implementation errors
  • It is necessary to evaluate historical data and the test results obtained.


11. Risk-Based Testing Technique
This type of testing is implemented with the aim of finding out the critical errors as soon as possible with least cost. Here, functionalities are prioritized and tested according to the level to which they are error prone.
The steps to follow for effective risk-based testing include:

  • Identify and prioritize risks
  • Create test plans accordingly
  • Eliminate or add risks according to results obtained

This 2019 will be a bumpy ride for those who do not stay at par with the latest software testing techniques. Therefore, if you wish to stay ahead in the IT industry, make sure you follow the mentioned software trends to help your testers get more effective QA solutions and tools!

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Know More About Multivariate Testing and 5 Factors for its Success!

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Testing is more frequently contrived as a customary method for checking the execution of any process. The equivalent goes valid for the internet business world, where testing your site is depicted as the ideal approach for conversion optimization and to examine the market potential of your site.

Multivariate testing is one of the testing procedures which helps you in doing as such.
How does multivariate testing work?
Multivariate testing is a method of testing a condition in which various factors are altered. Don’t confuse with A/B testing.
Multivariate testing is different from A/B testing in that it includes the concurrent observation and analysis of over one outcome variable. Rather than testing A against B, you’re testing A, B, C, D and E at the same time.
While A/B testing is normally used to quantify the impact of more significant changes, multivariate testing is frequently used to assess the steady impact of various changes simultaneously.
It enables you to find those lapses which are keeping the visitors for taking a call to action on your CTAs, reading the content on your site and in the end closing a deal.
The multivariate testing enables you to step through the test of an assortment of alliances of CTAs, pictures, texts, banner, and so onto let you investigate which variance or alliance is driving the most extreme conversions.
Advantages of multivariate testing
A substantial number of various versions can be made depending on the page components you wish to incorporate and the multitude of variations of every one of these that will be checked.
For instance, in case that you needed to test three variants of all of these components – call to action, headline, picture, and background color; an aggregate of 64 distinct combinations would be probable. Every one of these page variants can be produced automatically and measured to discover which combination accomplishes the greatest conversion rate.
The capacity to penetrate down to meager page components can give a superior comprehension of their individual effect on the general conversion rate, and additionally how the autonomous components interface to make a compound impact on conversion rate optimization.
This sort of statistical examination of the specific page components can likewise recognize which ones may be pointless and lessens mess on the page.
Here, we’ll take a look at those advantages which MultivariateTesting brings for a successful online business strategy.
1. Test from a huge variety of Combinations:
As a general rule, you need to dispose of your longing of picking a combination of components for your testing analysis as the customary testing tools such as A/B testing enables you to roll out just a solitary improvement at any given period.
On the other side, multivariate testing conquers this issue and enables you to browse a huge combination of components to fluctuate. It builds the testing choices that you can use to hit on your conversions.
2. Supports on Structurization:
The positioning of components at the correct area on your site’s page is extremely vital when you are focusing on an optimizing of the conversion through your site traffic.
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The significance of positioning can be acknowledged from the way that your audience is probably going to commit for over 80% of the time that he/she spends on your website page reading over the fold.
It implies in case that you are not setting the significant substance at best, you are decreasing your conversion opportunities to simply 20%.
A multivariate test enables you to find such arrangements with the assistance of conversion variable because of a distinction in positioning patterns of every variety.
3. Business Viability:
Raising revenue through persistent increments in marketing spend is never again practical. Brands are compelled to pay regularly expanding costs to seek a limited pool of qualified audience.
To maintain their marketing campaigns brands must discover approaches to build the ROI of their advertising money. That is the reason best organizations are earmarking a little segment of the commercial spend on the multivariate testing.
‘Purchasing online growth’ or ‘build it and they will follow’ policies are supplanted by new methodologies driven by experts who are connecting with the online audience and utilizing data to decide. So, the multivariate testing is on the tip of the weapon empowering presentation of new shots and estimation of visitor responses.
Also, the multivariate testing strategy is evacuating IT reliance. It is engaging marketing teams and business to persistently test, learn, and magnify key parts of the business.
4. Decide the Appropriate Statistical Method:
Since maximum data analysis attempts to answer complex inquiries for over two factors, multivariate testing procedures can best tend these inquiries.
There are a few diverse multivariate procedures to look over, in view of hypotheses about the quality of the information and the kind of relationship under analysis.
Every strategy tests the hypothetical models of a research question about relationship against the perceived data.
The hypothetical models depend on actualities in addition to new theories about the conceivable relationship between variables.
5. Metrics
Another multivariate testing achievement determinant is the manner by which you comprehend the test results since this knowledge will give you a chance to roll out educated improvements and updates on your website. Metrics expect to educate you of the customer conduct and its transformation after the testing.
Metrics are good diggers recognizing your online business blunders which can likewise demonstrate to you the number of users who aren’t converting over, bouncing and even what they were interested. By utilizing, this significant information you will have the potential to know which territories of your website to check first, provided you know which of them specifically influence the plans and objectives you have anchored.
Majority of the multivariate testing tools will provide you a metric, known as the impact factor, in their reports. It will tell you which segments influence the conversion rate and which do not.
How to appropriately perform Multivariate Testing?
You can follow the given steps to perform multivariate testing appropriately and to achieve the above discussed five successfactors for your online business.
Recognize an Issue
Prior to improving your web page, it is beneficial to investigate the data and discover how users are associating with it.
Formulate Presumption
Make a presumption to update the webpage. For instance, the presumption can be – users are not tapping on the download button as its visibility is not engaging. So, work on it to make the button appealing, and you will see an increase in downloads.
Plan Variations
Further, it is time to plan variation pages for the multivariate test. Select the variables and make the variations.
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Though there are various techniques of multivariate testing— full factorial and fractional factorial — are the most optimizers suggested – operating a total factorial for its precision.
Decide your Sample Size
Before begin driving traffic to your web pages, you require to determine your sample size too. The number of users every page demands to produce before you can make assumptions about the outcomes of your multivariate testing.
Check Your Tools
Test everything at this stage – mainly, is your web page or app running properly before you begin to run the test? In this manner, it will not destroy your test results.
Begin Driving Traffic
As you have planned your variations, and other factors alongside understood how much traffic you will require to generate every one of them, it is safe now to start driving traffic for them. Here you will have to keep patience, as the greatest downside to multivariate testing is the huge amount of traffic you will require before you can achieve them.
Study and learn from the results
Last but not least. From the multivariate testing technique, you can study and learn about your business web pages or app as well as its audience. Further, you can utilize this learning for the prospective testing.
Analyze your outcomes
After performing the test for the notable amount of time, you will get the results to interpret. The ones with the 95% or more confidence level are meaningful results statistically.
To sum up…
Applying multivariate testing can be useful when various components in an agreement can be changed concurrently to enhance a solitary conversion objective such as clicks, form completion, sign-ins, or shares
.When led legitimately, a multivariate test strategy can take out the need to run a few successive A/B tests on a similar page with a similar objective. Rather, the tests are run in tandem with a more noteworthy number of mutations in a smaller timeframe.
Just remember don’t add a huge number of variables to test; this will prompt greater combinations and require more traffic to gather vital statistics.

When companies use multivariate testing properly for streamlining site, it leads to an incredible plan for collecting visitor and user information that gives in-detail knowledge into complex user behavior.
The data revealed in multivariate testing expels skepticism and vulnerability from site improvement. Constantly testing, actualizing winning variations and working off of testing insights results in huge conversion winnings.

10 Must Have Qualities of a Good Scrum Master

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A Scrum Master is a mentor and facilitator for a group utilizing Scrum, helping the group to remain concentrated on the venture’s objectives and expelling hindrances en route.
A Scrum project utilizes just 3 jobs: Product Owner, Scrum Master, and the Team.
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While the Product Owner brings the item a vision, deals with the arrival on speculation (ROI), and aides the item improvement by figuring out what to construct and in what succession; the team really assembles the item using agile practices; and the Scrum Master’s activity is to encourage correspondence and issue goals, and deliver the most extreme incentive to the client.
A profoundly successful Scrum Master does this by ensuring that all included have the assets they require, are conveying admirably, and are protected from diversions and interferences.
So what makes an extraordinary Scrum Master? We should take a glance at the 10 qualities of individuals who exceed expectations in the job.
1. Engage the Team, Don’t Micromanage
Scrum Masters (in spite of the name) are not bosses or controllers. Truth be told, the best Scrum Masters hope to develop their group with the end goal that they (the Scrum Master) works him out of a job by making the group self-serving and self-sufficient.
In agile, the objective of Scrum Master isn’t even to deal with a due date or assignments, but, to enable the group to figure out what they want to convey in a run.
The inverse of this is micromanagement: controlling stand-ups, checking on everything about stories and code, and not allowing the group to talk up or stand up.
The risk with micromanagement is that groups start to convey dependent on dread (missing a due date or detail) as opposed to conveying in view of group responsibility. Nothing will smother a group in excess of a culture of dread.
2. Have an Agile Personality and Offer Lively Qualities
Scrum groups are self-sorting groups and in this way, all colleagues should share some normal qualities. These qualities include regard, receptiveness, valor, center, and duty.
Scrum groups likewise share experimental reasoning standards: adjustment, investigation, and straightforwardness.
All Scrum bosses ought to apply these characteristics and qualities in their ordinary work, and they ought to, obviously, comprehend the significance of being straightforward and transparent, in regards to all colleagues, to be available to new thoughts and changes.
As a Scrum master – you must have faith in these qualities, you should exchange them to the group and the entire association, and lastly, you should live with them.
3. Control the procedure while tending for nonstop improvement
As the project goes in a propelled stage, the following emphases will end up more straightforward and you can anticipate subsequent stages all the more precisely.
The Scrum master should persuade all colleagues about the advantages of utilizing Scrum; you ought to protect the procedure and ensure it is connected appropriately so your group and the association will get advantage from it.
The Scrum master is in charge of perpetual enhancement of the improvement procedure, and for the nature of the item and the profitability of the group.
4. Understand the concept of Scrum
This may sound self-evident, however, it’s really normal to discover somebody in the job who doesn’t live and inhale Scrum.
This sort of Scrum Master isn’t the best kind, as you can likely envision.
Also Read: Salary Of Software Testers in 2018
It’s likewise critical on the grounds that they need to help every other person comprehend Scrum.
It dawdles on the off chance that all of you lounge around discussing whether the burndown diagram is the most ideal approach to show advance and “wouldn’t it be better if… “.
In the event that the group has joined to Scrum, the Scrum Master keeps everybody adjusted to the procedure and is enabled to stop that sort of exchange before it drains time and vitality out of the group.
However, they can just do that on the off chance that they know the appropriate responses themselves. Discover why the Scrum Master is vital to the group’s prosperity.
5. Managerial role to other colleagues
As a Scrum Master, you will have the administrative job amid the undertaking advancement.
Scrum Master is in charge of guaranteeing that the project is completed by the tenets, qualities, and procedures of Scrum, and it is advancing as arranged.

Scrum Master collaborates with the project group, the customer and directors. It will be your obligation to guarantee that all snags are expelled from the project, in order to guarantee the most extreme profitability.
As a pioneer, you ought to be useful, fair, and honest, and to put the advantages of your group in front of your own advantages. Likewise, you will help the group to accomplish high-esteemed outcomes, and to build up self-association practices.
6. Technical Knowledge
One of the principal obligations of the Scrum Master is to work with the Product Owner in finding a framework that empowers the group to achieve assignments productively.
That being stated, some specialized nature and preparing will be essential. At its center, Scrum is expected to help to programme advancement groups fabricate programs with negligible barricades.
Scrum Masters must have the comprehension of the specialized terms and procedures set up.
Once more, this confirmation is unquestionably not a flat out the necessity for each Scrum Master, but rather it is valuable for some pioneers to experience this preparation.
7. Manage Conflicts
Scrum groups are comprised of people with varying thoughts, identities, and work styles, which may result in strife occasionally.
In the event that a difference can’t be settled by the colleagues themselves, it is up to the Scrum Master to figure out how to clear up any obvious issues that could conceivably back off the group’s advancement.
Obviously, this is a lot less demanding said than done. Groups should frequently bargain with the end goal to figure out how to settle the current issue, so a Scrum Master must be a specialist moderator and facilitator with the end goal to be useful.
While there are various useful procedures for Scrum Masters to use to explore through compromise, the pioneers themselves must have the correct relational aptitudes to work through such contradictions and discover arrangements that work for everybody.
8. Basic Leadership
While considering these things is essential, the Scrum Product Owner should likewise settle on the correct choices about the item.
Specifically, the Product Owner settles on choices about the item build-up. They should rank and organize things on the rundown as far as significance and ROI (Return on Investment).
Things can be knocking up or down contingent upon to what extent they will take or how essential they are — it’s up to the Product Owner to choose.
Be that as it may, neglecting to compose this legitimately can diminish business esteem and cause longer, more insufficient advancement times.
9. Has confidence in the Self-Organizing.
An incredible Scrum Master comprehends the intensity of a self-arranging group. “Convey it to the group” is his day by day adage.
Traits of self-sorting out groups are that representatives lessen their reliance on the executives and increment responsibility for work.
A few models are: they settle on their own choices about their work, gauge their very own work, have a solid readiness to collaborate and colleagues feel they are meeting up to accomplish a typical reason through discharge objectives, run objectives, and group objectives
10. Love for the Product
At last, a great Scrum Product Owner needs love for the item. In the event that you don’t love it and put stock in it, how might you expect your group and your clients to do likewise?
You ought to truly think about the item, and not simply to make it painful.
Cherishing the item will include that added pizzazz and make it relatively immaculate.
Tender loving care is scratch here and on the off chance that you put your heart in the item everybody will differentiate at last.
Final Words
As should be obvious, a Scrum Master has numerous caps to wear, some are generally connected with undertaking the executives.

Agile underlines individuals over the process, and that is positively apparent in the group coordinated focal point of a Scrum Master.
A Scrum Master who executes on the methodologies illustrated here will to sure be an exceedingly successful Scrum Master, and will really meet or surpass the client’s desire for esteem.

Also Read: Bug Bounty Hunter: A Job That Can Earn You a Fortune!

5 Traits of a Successful QA Team

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Development teams and groups that can make quality programming without sitting idle are winning the respect of their client’s officials.
In the event that your software team is winning, life is great. If not, you’re racing to adjust, understanding the vital, and specialized holes on your teams are an enormous restricting variable to organizational development.

For software testers, we’re regularly as yet playing, making up for lost time with development teams.
We understand that making quality programming at incredible paces is tied in with building the correct organization and connections, and we need to do this with developers.
Indeed, even the best nimble software testing tools and procedures will just do so much– there’s no overestimating the human factor. You have to enlist, or be on, a winning group!
With the end goal to enable you to make this winning QA team, we have assembled five of the most critical qualities to remember when assembling your own software testing team:
1. Being Dubious
Try not to trust that the build, given by the developers, is without a bug or quality result. Question everything.
Acknowledge the assembly just on the off chance that you test and discover it deformity free.
Try not to trust anybody whatever is the assignment they hold, simply apply your insight and attempt to discover the blunders.
You have to pursue this until the point that the last period of the testing cycle.
We think questioning, sensibly, can improve the quality of the testing team. The way to unbelief is to consistently and overwhelmingly apply the strategies for science.
The greatest test with this is to discover a harmony between two apparently conflicting states of mind: an openness to new thoughts and in the meantime a skeptic examination of all things considered, old and new
2. Be Open To New Ideas
Tune in to everybody despite the fact that you are an expert on the task, having inside and out task learning.

There is dependable scope for upgrades and getting recommendations from the fellow testers is a smart thought.
Everybody’s criticism to enhance the nature of the task would unquestionably assist you with releasing a bug-free programme.
QA teams should to have the capacity to react to change, realizing that in spry tasks, change is inescapable.

Also Read: How To Hire A Software Testing Team That Fits Your Office Culture

At the point when necessities change particularly towards the finish of the dash, when there isn’t sufficient time to test enough, testers ought to give, however, much data as could be expected about what tests have been run and which part of the application hasn’t been tried well so the team can settle on an educated choice, regardless of whether to release the build or not.
3. Organizing Tests and Tasks
To start with, the QA team must recognize the critical tests and after that organize the execution dependent on test significance.
Never, under any circumstance, execute test cases successively without choosing the need.
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This will guarantee that all your critical experiments get executed early and you won’t cut down on these at the last phase of the discharge cycle because of time weight.
At the point when QA groups have practically zero time to do testing forms, they will be unable to direct the careful examination expected to extensively decide need levels.
Moreover, they must incorporate parts of the product that is either the most basic to execution, obligated to administrative bodies, or bound to house catastrophic imperfections.
4. Possess Basic Coding Skills
Coding and debugging is the designer’s job. Then the question emerges, why coding is fundamental for QA teams or testers?
When Automation testing is considered, programming knowledge is an unquestionable requirement.
If there should arise an occurrence of manual testing, knowledge of programming concepts can enable a tester to create and use snippets to revive manual testing activities.
Knowledge of manual testing, scripting languages like JavaScript, and so forth will add credit to your testing abilities.
Being a part of the QA team, you should fabricate your essential learning of programming dialects like Java, VBScript It isn’t must, and however it is vital.
Learning of SQL ideas, DBMS idea is a decent practice for you.
5. Continuous Learning
As advancement practices rapidly advance and the economy turns out to be more unstable, QA and testers, who don’t persistently enhance their abilities, have the risk of getting left behind.
The main consistent in our lives is change.
If you are a tester who learns, extend your psyche, and attempt new things, there are numerous motivations to seek, the main being to propel your profession.
Last, however not the least, solid legitimate, analytical and testing skills, and also the capacity to work independently, are on the whole important to be an incredible QA tester.
Conclusion
There are a lot of things to be considered while building the fruitful QA team.
The catchword – Unity, Trust, Respect for others feeling and acting without dread are elements for the incredible test group when all is said is done for any effective group.
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In the wake of perusing this blog take a glance at your team and question yourself “Are you working in extraordinary test group” or” Will you bend over backward to create an incredible test team”.
Then don’t pause, attempt one second from now to assemble “Incredible QA Team”.

Also Read : Roles & Responsibilities in a Software Testing Team

10 Things To Evaluate Before Hiring a Software Testing Company

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Today, almost software working draft includes software testing. There are various software testing company  that outsource the software testing work.

Outsourcing is generally defined as a business method of hiring another company that performs various testing tasks.
They are meant to provide services that are either usually executed or had previously been done by the company’s own workers. The trend of outsourcing testing services is very famous in the information technology world.
Aspects To Consider Before Outsourcing Testing Services
Consequently, the reliability to outsource your software to another software testing company can increase significant value to your end product.
However, if you are unable to select the right company, it may also cause troubles that will make you outguess your choice.
Moreover, the mid-spread between satisfaction and frustration lies in your due persistence. However, there are a few steps you should follow before you settle on a final decision; here are 10 things you should evaluate.
1. Team Location
Where is your team located? Since there is a considerable difference between dealing with outsources software testing companies and the team that’s based in abroad, therefore the question of team location is one of the most important to think about.
Generally, the idea of outsourcing software testing can be beneficial sometimes as you can get a high quality of work at a reasonable cost.
Despite that, offshore testing often has a larger risk due to the cultural differences, language issues and a conceptual barrier to effective communication.
Therefore, a consistent can only come about when your teammates can reach software testing company personnel in a timely fashion with the help of best means of communication.
On the other hand, if you choose to work within the same country; all these issues will be resolved certainly. But if you are working with outsource testing companies, make sure that they are able to bypass these barriers.
2. Flexibility
Flexibility is an essential operational element for any software testing companies. Offshore testing demands a degree of flexibility to ensure that the timeframe fluctuations are met.
The elasticity of testing should be decided by studying modifiability, new aptitude, strength, and ease to exit.
Therefore, having a proper knowledge of how the company sets ups and manages teams are important along with the method of adjustment to your company. Look for a company that is flexible enough to provide support for quick and lean progress environment.
3. True Cost
Once you have accessed the organization on another parameter, determining the true cost of working with them is very important.
You never know that working with an outsource company might seem to come with a cut-price tag but when you add all hidden expenses, it can cost your company a heavy amount. Therefore, your priority is to engage with such an outsourcing company that facilitates you with on-time delivery, maximum return on investment, high efficient work and all-inclusive value addition.
4. Responsiveness
The management of responsiveness emerges in various conditions when you deal with a software testing company.
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For instance, how much time does it takes to gather the squad that will work with you? Or else, how much time does it take for the company to answer your queries? Try to engage with a company that has the experience, promptness and is proven best for its best delivery immediate results.
The company you choose should have the ability to understand all needs to respond to your queries, in the matter of assembling the team or delivering results
5. Engagement Models
One of the most important evaluation steps in outsource software testing is the engagements modes.
There are two types of outsourcing or externalization such as total outsourcing and incremental outsourcing that you can go with. But above all, you need to understand the model of business and its strategies.
Let’s look at these two types of outsourcing.

  • Incremental Externalization: The entire task is divided into smaller parts, thus outsourcing each part to the service providers. In this case, you have the option to select numerous service providers. However, it is important for the client to give a great weight on the offshore provider for the work to be done correctly.
  • Total Externalization: On the other hand, the entire risk is given to a single service provider in this model. As the supplier takes the risk here, it is a cost-efficient But, it needs a very thorough and detailed planning.

6. Service Level Agreement
SLA or service level agreement is a contract that is signed between the client and the service provider.
This agreement defines the output assumed from the service provider. Therefore, signing this agreement is crucial in order to make sure there is 100% alignment of goals between the service provider and the client.
The service level agreement should be related to the engagement model and types of testing. Some key points to have in your SLA are:

  • Reporting & project management time
  • Product quality measures
  • Knowledge transfer
  • Process Compliance
  • Understanding core business

7. Communication
Bad Communication is considered as a major barrier between vendors and clients. These barriers create a barricade in the work to be done. Therefore, it is crucial to building an excellent communication channel between the two parties.
8. Intellectual Property Protection
Intellectual property protection is considered the most important aspect while outsourcing.
One of the disputes for an outsourcing company is to protect the businesses’ intellectual property.
To protect the personal data provided by the client should be the first priority of the vendor. Moreover, it should not be used for any other purpose apart from the planned business.
9. Change Management
During the process of testing, there may be frequent requirement changes from the client.
Thus, the QA testing cycle should be handled properly. In addition In order to get over these time, efforts and additional expenses; one should maintain a strong change management system.
10. Quality Improvement
One of the key tasks of outsourcing is to accomplish a considerable quality improvement and its ultimate goal is to bring about an overall improvement of the end product.
app testing
Therefore, the process of the testing cycle should be tried to improve continually.
In general, companies go for outsourcing whose core task is other than software testing. Software testing is considered the most important process in almost every software project.
The main goal of offshore software testing company is to get the best quality at a reasonable price and at the same time let the company focus on its key business areas.
Moreover, as there are numerous software testing company available in the market today to provide these service, you need to have a thoughtful consideration before selecting them.
Therefore, try to match your requirements with vendor’s profile so that you can select the best software testing company for testing.

10 Tips For A Good Continuous Testing Environment

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A right and rich test environment will always ensure the success of the software but any flaws in this process can lead to a failed test.

Hence, it is necessary to maintain a good continuous testing environment to ensure that the apps are being tested in the best possible way.
What is Test Environment?
Test Environment is generally a platform where all the applications undergo tests and procedure to ensure the detection and removal of bugs and error.
It is a setup of both the software and hardware for the teams to test the software applications. A test environment is built on some key principles which ensure the success of the software application.
Test environment consists of activities which make application testing feasible. It is the place where all the action takes place such as experiments, fixing, retesting, identification or regression.
10 tips for the good continuous testing environment
Quality Assurance department ensures that the testing process of application is done properly. But, would that be enough? If you are using a good testing environment process,
It will eventually eliminate the chances of an application failure in the future. Here are 10 tips which will help you in the sustainable testing environment.

In this video, Margaret Lee, SVP Product Management for CA Continuous Delivery, explains the motivations and challenges to gaining a competitive edge in the application economy and why Continuous Testing serves such and important role
1. A Good Knowledge of Testing Environment
If you want to have a good testing environment, you should have a good knowledge of this process. knowing all the process and deep knowledge of the testing environment will always help you to step up your processes and methods.
How can you start with different methods? Or how can you use your knowledge to make testing processes better? Have detailed knowledge of how test environment works or what is the process that undergoes in the testing of software applications?

Also Read : Software Testing: Meeting The Customer Expectation

These are a few questions that if asked, can facilitate in optimizing the testing environment. Few topics that you can unravel while learning about the testing environment:

  • How is testing environment processed?
  • What are the major setups which need to be involved in the testing environment
  • How can you improve the methods of testing?
  • What are the major aspects that need to be cover while testing applications?

2. Usage of Production Environment
This might sound awkward but it is the tip to start your testing. Your production environment can also be used as testing environment too. There is no need for you to replicate your production environment if you want to use your own. But before you start using your production environment, you need to make sure to:

  • Backup all the data of the real production environment so that you can revert it to original process once testing is completed.
  • Disable the 3rd party applications while testing using your production environment.
  • Use made up user accounts while testing the user entities.

3. Build Your Own Real Environment for the Test Application
If you do not want to use or you don’t have a real production environment, you can either create one.
You need to build your own real environment from scratch to build applications. Possibly, you are in the early stage of developing software that does not have production environment yet or maybe you don’t have access to real production environment due to security issues.
In such scenarios, you need to make sure to:

  • Take into consideration, every aspect of real-time environment production such as different types of accounts and deployments which you want to test. For instance, small, medium, large etc.
  • Add 3rd party applications into your testing environment.
  • Use automated scripts to represent the real environment.

4. Establish Methods to Quickly Set up your Test Environment
While testing applications, you should be able to reuse your test environment as quickly as possible.
Hence, you need to make some procedures to easily and quickly access your test environment. You can re-create your load test environment by taking snapshots or images which can be used later. Also, you can reconfigure with the help of IT automation tools which give you access to quickly set up your environment. Automated tools such as Puppet, Chef, Saltstack or Docker can be used for this purpose.
5. Simplify Tools, Process or Methods to Test Applications
If you want to stimulate your test quicker with higher accuracy, you need to simplify your process and try finding out different methods to test applications.
app testing
Whether you want to achieve higher accuracy or you want to make your test process quickly, you need to alter your methods of operating test environment.
Try finding another way through which you can target two or more activities at the same time with higher accuracy.
6. Build a Committed and High Performing QA team
You need to build a dedicated high performing QA team who will ensure every activity during the test process is implemented and is made better. You need to make sure that every stakeholder involved in the team is a fully committed and high performing person.
Try picking skilled and experienced QA testers in your team. Also, you can introduce incentives which will promote their efficiency and performance. It will also help you to manage the test environment as you will be assigning complete ownership of the test to a dedicated team.
7. Operationalize and Automate Repeatable Tasks
Most of the companies use a manual testing process which can consume a lot of time and is generally inefficient. Hence, it is important that you operationalize and automate repeatable tasks to minimize your efforts and time consumption.
Many companies are focusing on automating their processes. Automating tasks will eventually increase the efficiency of work and with more accuracy. Automation can also be used for tasks, such as test data creation or test lab management tasks.
8. Early Detection Via Early Involvement
Early involvement of the QA team in the development cycle of the software can be useful to early detect any defects in the software application.

Also Read : Difference Between Verification and Validation in Software Testing

Defects and errors caught in a time of development cycle can cost substantially less than the costs incurred due to defects and errors detected in the production cycle. It eliminates the chances of getting a serious issue while running software tests in a test environment.
9. Focus on the Customer Experience
Sometimes it can be tough to find out the defects or bugs in the application. At the same time, you need to ensure that your customer is satisfied with the application and doesn’t find any defects.
You can generate a good customer experience if you test your application in real time customer environment. Try creating scenarios and action plans where you can test your application while keeping customer’s point of view in mind.
10. Isolating the Test Environment
It is important to isolate your test environment while other users are currently active on the system.
automation testing
It is important because the results of different test performance may vary from each other and sometimes it can get really difficult to implement a new method if other users are working on the same test environment.
You need to ensure that no other activity is undergoing while you are using the test environment.

Software Testing: Meeting The Customer Expectation

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Organizations worldwide in the present circumstances put billions in software quality assurance. Proficient testing not just guarantees the needs of a client it simultaneously implies quality and lessened expenses. Consequently, software testing needs to suffice both.
app testing
Consumer satisfaction henceforth turns into the key prerequisite.
Let’s have look at the most important qualities that will make your client happy.

  • Concede to Plan, Objectives, and Courses of Events

Until the point when you and your customer approve on plan, objectives, and courses of events, you are constantly in danger of them not understanding what achievement is and how it ought to be regulated.
We generally propose making a scope-of-work archive that blueprints the details, financial plans, and metrics of the software testing. This will ease any perplexity over expectations and ideally take out a troublesome discussion.

  • Availability

By availability, we don’t mean every minute of a day support system. It just means clear and forthright correspondence about time off, optional plans and being reachable and not going “Missing in Action”.
Regardless of whether you are a sole individual or a team supporting the client, your availability ought to frequently be checked.

  • First Be a Good Listener than Counsel

Listening is amongst the most misjudged and inadequately utilized instruments in managing customer aspirations. Numerous clients are uncertain of what they are attempting to achieve or not great at explaining it. In that position, you should have brilliant instinct and listening aptitudes so as to distinguish key information being conveyed.
A standout approaches to remunerate for a customer who presents ineffectively is to reiterate what you have understood and ask them to affirm the precision from key takeaways, which will at last effect expectations.
When you offer your client direction, counsel, info, and business advice, you turn into a really profitable accomplice. This style of open discussion sets up the honor important to guarantee better project administration.

  • Reviewing Client Demands

One thing all Customer-driven organizations know is that Customer desires change. What may have been sufficient a year ago isn’t sufficient this year. To get this data, they have to research and record these expectations in their prevailing practice.
Thus, customer-driven organizations should review their customer expectations consistently and as often as possible, and at any rate every year.
Internal research and reviews can be carried out to ensure that procedures are duly followed in the company. Testing procedures use strategies to convert customer expectations into required outputs.

  • Quality as an Expense Versus Quality as a Profit

Earlier, obtaining quality was considered as an expense. Any investment in techniques, tools, and procedures to accomplish higher quality were considered as a cost. The management was not persuaded of putting excessively in the quality.
automation testing
Step by step, management understood that great quality works as the benefit over the long haul.
When an organization puts resources into the techniques, tools, or procedure to deliver top-grade software; this results in content and returning clients. In the end, the earnings obtained through the expanded quality transcend the incurred expense.
In this manner, the modern approach urges to put resources into tools and procedures to convey quality software testing and eventually meet the customer expectations.

  • Constant Improvement

It might surprise you. Before, organizations aimed to build products that meet specific benchmarks. A satisfactory deviation scope was characterized for a product which implies that specific level of errors was permitted in the software. In the event that the organization is as of now addressing the benchmarks, they don’t see the requirement for enhancing the procedure any further.
Despite what might be expected, the contemporary approach of value looks for consistent improvement. It is client centered and takes actions around the premise of review got from clients.
This review can incorporate demands for new features, complaints, and recognition. Consequently, today, our product industry has likewise progressed toward becoming client regulated.
During creating and releasing a product, we do not just observe the conformance to prerequisites; rather we attempt to surpass the expectations to fulfill the clients’ demands.
Constant improvement proposes you regularly check your practices and processes for any opportunity for improvements. This further involves working on the removal of the root causes of obstacles to abstain them from happening repeatedly in the future.
Why Meeting Customer Expectations are Vital?
1. To Maintain Reputation
Quality impacts your item and company reputation. The speed and significance of online networking imply that your clients—and forthcoming clients—can undoubtedly share both positive reviews and feedback of your soft quality on product review sites, forums, and social networking channels. A powerful notoriety for quality can be a vital differentiator in exceptionally competing markets.
In the outrageous, low quality or failure of the product which leads to a product summon campaign can deliver negative attention and harm your reputation.
2. Long-Term Profitability
If customers receive your defective products and are unsatisfied, you will have to compensate for returns and possibly legal charges to pay for failure to comply with the client or industry standards. So, having adequate quality controls is important to reduce cost.

Also Read :  How to Select An Test Automation Services Provider For Your Software

Clients expect you to produce high-grade products. If their expectations aren’t met, they will immediately opt for the next best option. Hence, quality is definitely crucial in pleasing your clients — so that they don’t even consider leaving for your rival company. Quality products make a significant contribution to long-term profitability and will empower you to increment your prices in the future.
Final Thoughts…
When you are committed and genuine about taking care of client expectations and demands then you should have a devoted group of experts who are not just centered around software test quality and execution standards yet additionally have bespoke testing systems and particular testing practices to address different sorts of issues that one may encounter during software testing. This group ought to likewise lead third-party and internal reviews to comprehend their deficiencies and have a reasonable evaluation to assess whether in the real world they are meeting client expectations.

So, in the software testing business always remember the thumb rule with regards to conveying quality and up-to-date product, “in order to be the best in software testing world, always keep client expectations as your top priority.”