High-level testing is vital to quality assurance, and best practices in this process result in high-quality software. This article describes the top methods for checking the quality of products. Recent cyber attacks have proven that security is paramount to the lifecycle of any software. Modern testing of software development and QA tools help development companies significantly reduce the number of incidents. Here are some best practices that will ensure the success of a software testing project.
Rely Only on A Controlled Environment for Security Testing
Nowadays, a lot of software big companies and freelancers are opting for cloud testing to get the full benefits of the cloud. Unfortunately, it has many vulnerabilities, especially when it is in the public domain. Instead, software companies should invest in infrastructure and build robust on-premises testing environments to minimize any vulnerabilities in the Internet and cloud environments.Local servers are a great way to replace mobile app testing. In this case, testing (both manual and automated) is performed absolutely reliably and at the same time efficiently. We also present to your attention an interesting article on the website of The Guardian on the topic of the software testing identity crisis.
Run Tests Throughout the Software Development Cycle
Testing only at the QA stage of the process is an irrational approach. Every major product/feature of the software needs to be tested. Plan your test schedule from the very beginning of the development process. An early review will help identify errors and fix defects as quickly as possible. This increases the level of software quality and reduces the labor involved in the final stage of quality control, as well as lowering the cost of QA. In addition, it gives the development team confidence that innovations are constantly being introduced into the product.
Programmers Shouldn’t Write Tests
Technically, tests should be ready before coding. Programmers should not write tests or test scripts for their own code to reduce the chance of test bias or lack of creativity in the test. It is important that the review be objective.
Run Regression
Tests It is necessary to define and separate test cases for regression testing. Fast and efficient regression tests are useful for quality assurance. During regression testing, use the bug graph (number of bugs versus time for different modules) to identify the part of the application where they are most likely to occur.
Break Tests into Small Iterations
If you are testing software throughout its life cycle, keep the tests small to save time and resources. Many tests are really large, so do them in small iterations such as functional testing, non-functional testing, UX testing, user interface testing, security testing, etc. You can find information about some types of testing below.
Keep Records and Reports on All Tests
When you perform manual or automated testing, keep a record of all tests. Log results and observations to a file and include them in final reports. Thus, they will be absolutely accurate. For testing to be complete, facts about the occurrence of the error, the impact it has on the entire system, and all possible solutions should be noted.
Customize your software testing
Write individual test solutions for each project according to the needs and possible user scenarios. For example, a module in an application running on a smartphone does not have the same user script options as on a tablet.
Clean Up Test Code Before Final Software Release
If the application requires changes to the core code in order to successfully run the test, it must be cleaned up after the process is complete. Therefore, keeping records of test code is a good practice. Cleaning the test code from the main code directly during the final deployment of the application will save you time and other resources. will save your time and resources
Create a Target Operating Model for Testing
Define the processes, methods, tools, RACI matrix, and communication paths for the project. Communicate this information and responsibilities to software development and QA team members. This process is called the target operating model for testing. He helps any new team member to successfully work towards achieving common goals.
Assemble a Team of Experienced Testers
You should have highly qualified testers performing manual and automated testing with the newest tools and approaches in their field. It is important that they are familiar with LoadRunner and JMeter. Experience with UFT, HP ALM, Selenium, and other open-source tools for advanced software testing services is a must.
Use Both In-house and Freelance Teams
Assembling a team of highly qualified testers in the testing area can be costly for product companies, especially in countries where developer income is higher than average. In this case, you can resort to an outsourcing testing model, with a dedicated team and infrastructure. But not all types of testing are possible with freelancers. Therefore, try to combine your internal teams and involved specialists.
This approach should be taken into account, since user scenarios, for example, differ in different regions of the country. In this case, testing in one part of the country can be implemented through applications created by the outsourced team, but by the local team.
We have presented the most effective practices for improving test projects. With their help, you will improve the quality and safety of software products. But in order to achieve these goals, you need experienced software testers who understand all types and tools for testing. Let’s look at classifications and some types of testing in more detail.
Conclusion on Software Development and QA
In summary, implementing software development and QA best practices is critical to the success of any software testing project. Key software quality assurance techniques include conducting tests throughout the development cycle, using a controlled environment for security testing, breaking tests into small iterations, and using both internal and external teams.
In addition, it is important to keep records and reports of all tests, customize testing according to the needs of the project, and clean up the test code before the final release of the software. Assembling a team of experienced testers and creating a target operating model for testing are also key steps in ensuring the quality and security of software products.
By following the tips described above, development companies can significantly reduce the number of incidents and at the same time increase the level of trust of their development team in the software product. Ultimately, the success of software development and QA depends entirely on the experience and knowledge of software testers who are experts in testing types and tools.
About author
Robyn McBride is a journalist, tech critic, author of articles about software, AI and design. She is interested in modern image processing, tech trends and digital technologies. Robyn also works as a proofreader at Computools.
