5 Aspects of Software Testing
A
consistent increase is noted in the number of enterprises looking for
innovative and customized software testing options. In addition to
increasing productivity, efficiency and ROI, the right software
automation strategy also enables organization to Agile project
management. Each organization also has option to use test automation
tools and programs to evaluate the performance of an application at each
stage of development. However, it is always important for an
organization to identify various aspects of software testing to make the
process more effective and efficient.
5 Important Aspects of Software Testing
1) Test Strategy:
An enterprise must perform several types of tests to evaluate the
quality and performance of an application. In addition to white-box and
black-box testing, an organization also needs to perform unit,
integration, incremental integration, functional, regression, system,
load, acceptance, stress and end-to-end testing. So it becomes essential
to make and implement a comprehensive strategy to decide the type of
testing required along with the sequence and schedule of each type of
test. At the same time, the strategy will further determine the amount
of time, effort and resources required to find all defects in the
application. Also, the test strategy will address the time and resource
constraints to deliver desired results.
2) Test Plan:
As a part of software development project, test plan deals with the
tasks and activities related to testing. In addition to deciding who
will perform a specific task, the plan also decides schedule, sequence
and timeframe of each task. The plan also highlights the activities and
tasks required to evaluate various aspects of the software application.
Once the test strategy is finalized, the test plan can be made by
creating a critical path by taking into consideration the required
preparation work and efforts. However, the test plan, just like test
strategy, needs to be modified frequently as the project evolves.
3) Test Cases:
Based on an organization’s strategy, some or all test cases can be
automated. However, the test cases must be developed before testing
starts. Along with emphasizing on the requirements and acceptance
criterions for the application, each test case also need to consider
quality dimensions from customers’ point of view. At the same time, the
test case will further assess the current risk to identify the flaws and
bottlenecks in the project. It is also important to clearly define the
expected result to make the test plan more effective in getting quality
test data, while uncovering defects in the project.
4) Test Environment:
The complex and complicated nature of software application make it
essential for enterprises to create a comprehensive test environment.
The environment must be build by emulating the real thing. However, the
test environment can be scaled down by including the components
essential for actually run and evaluate the application. It is always
important to select separate computers, servers, networks and tools to
evaluate the application. The use of dedicated test efforts will make it
easier to modify or customize the environment according to specific
needs. Normally, the components required to build the right test
environment for a specific project is decides as part of the test
strategy. These components are further rechecked as part of the test
plan. However, the test environment must be developed completely before
software testing starts.
5) Test Data: The
quality of test data will impact the execution of test cases. So the
various types of information and data used by the system need to be
decided in a systematic manner. Normally, the test data includes the
details required by the application to run including names, addresses
and other variables. Along with the input data, the test data also need
to consider the information stored on various data sources. There are
always chances that the functionality of the application needs to be
evaluated by inputting dynamic and additional data. So the test data
must be selected and developed as part of individual test case
development process.
Along with understanding various aspects of
software testing, an organization also needs to explore option to
identify and fix the errors, flaws and bugs in the applications as early
as possible. It can always automate the entire software testing to
achieve predefined objectives. And for this you would need to hire software testing companies who have proven expertise and experience in handling projects relevant to your business domain.
We provide software testing services. If you would like to hire software testers from us, we would be glad to assist you at Mindfire Solutions.