Essential Elements for an Effective Software Test Strategy

Introduction:

Developing high-quality software requires a well-defined test strategy. Unfortunately, many businesses fail to prioritize software testing or lack a comprehensive strategy altogether. To address this issue, we have compiled ten essential elements that organizations should consider when developing their software test strategy.

Optimize the level of documentation and question its purpose

In our previous discussion, we explored the advantages of Agile over waterfall methodology. Agile is often associated with minimal documentation. However, in the context of testing, certain artifacts such as test cases, defects, and test plans need to be included in your testing strategy. Therefore, determining the appropriate level of documentation is vital for achieving a successful software test strategy. The "right level" may vary depending on the organization and its testing maturity.

For instance, if there are multiple individuals in the testing team and it is desired that they execute each other's tests consistently, then test cases should be written consistently, enabling different team members to follow them effectively. Otherwise, inconsistencies may arise, with some test cases being overly detailed while others are too high-level, making it difficult for testers to comprehend.

Conduct defect analysis to pinpoint areas of team focus

It is essential to examine the underlying causes of defects and identify patterns regarding their occurrence in the software. By understanding when and why these issues arise, we can shift our approach from mere defect fixing to continuous improvement.

Conducting a thorough analysis of requirements enables us to assess their testability, clarity, and completeness

When requirements lack testability, developers may face challenges in devising an effective development approach for the feature at hand. In addition, incomplete or unclear requirements can lead to uncertainties about the pass or fail criteria. Thus, it is crucial for testers to gain a deep understanding of the requirements and actively contribute to their refinement, ensuring that they are both suitable for testing and can be developed appropriately.

Foster a close collaboration with developers for unit testing

Unit testing is a widely acknowledged practice. While testers may not possess the coding skills required to write unit tests directly, they can actively engage with developers to define the desired behavior of each function and its associated subfunctions within a feature. By working closely together, testers can gain a clear understanding of the expected functionality, encompassing both positive scenarios of what the features should do and negative scenarios of actions that should be restricted for users or features. This collaboration ensures that testers have the necessary insights to effectively validate the behavior of the units being tested.

Analyze customer support

Customer support analysis often goes unnoticed in software test strategies, yet it holds immense value. Organizations can gain valuable insights by examining customer support tickets to pinpoint the areas where users encounter difficulties. We strongly recommend prioritizing this critical source of data. For instance, if users are experiencing confusion, it is essential to examine these areas, as they may lack clarity or contain ambiguities.

Formulate an automation strategy based on individual suitability

Automation is a widely discussed aspect of the business world. Companies often mention their desire to automate a specific percentage of their processes. However, it is crucial to recognize that each company and software system is unique, necessitating an individualized approach. Some software systems readily lend themselves to test automation, while others may be less suitable due to factors such as architectural complexities and intricate inter-function interactions.

To develop an effective automation strategy, it is essential to evaluate the specific characteristics and requirements of each software system, determining which aspects are ideal for automation and prioritizing accordingly. Emphasizing a tailored approach based on the nature of the software will yield optimal results in implementing automation within the testing process.

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Perform early performance testing utilizing realistic scenarios and API testing

The performance test should be conducted in a realistic manner and at an early stage. It is important to consider the top three activities that end-users typically engage in. For instance, within a financial application, one of these activities could involve generating a report on accounts receivable. This serves as an example of a task that end-users perform daily.

Another crucial aspect to address is API and database testing. These tests can be carried out before the software is fully completed. When considering realistic scenarios, such as a finance-related journal entry for accounts receivable, we must determine which part of the database is affected. Simulating this action can be accomplished through the use of database calls, ensuring optimal software performance beneath the actual application layer.

Perform early usability tests using the hallway and 80/20 heuristics method

Usability testing is often perceived as complicated and time-consuming, but it can be done quickly and cost-effectively. It doesn't require expensive resources like focus groups or hiring a professional usability company. Instead, you can simply invite someone into your office (referred to as "hallway usability testing"), take out your iPad or mobile phone, and ask your colleague to perform a task on the application for five minutes. Observe their interactions and note if they encounter any confusion or complete the task within a reasonable timeframe. This type of usability testing, known as "80/20," provides valuable insights for improving your application with only 20% of the effort, time, and cost required for traditional methods.

Perform security testing at an early stage

As mentioned previously during the discussion of usability testing, conducting security testing as soon as possible yields better results. Given the desire to avoid unwelcome media attention, it becomes crucial to initiate security testing early to gain an understanding of the vulnerabilities within the company and rectify them before code release. It is not imperative to delay activities such as vulnerability assessment until the final stages. The sooner these tests are conducted, the more advantageous it will be for the company. For instance, integrating a security user story into the agile process can prove beneficial. Such a user story could involve a vulnerability assessment or the simulation of a malicious user attempting unauthorized actions.

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Establishing a coordinated approach to ensure platform compatibility

Platform compatibility poses several challenges that need to be addressed:

The multitude of operating systems available,

The diverse range of end-user devices, and so on

Furthermore, depending on the target market, each company's software will cater to different user groups with varying user-profiles and operating systems. When we factor in these variables, the platform matrix expands rapidly. Therefore, it is essential to have a well-defined software testing strategy that determines when to utilize real devices, simulated devices, or cloud-based devices.

Conclusion

In summary, organizations should consider these aspects in advance while formulating their software testing strategy. This proactive approach enables efficient and cost-effective platform compatibility testing when the time comes.