Software testing with efficiency (tips for companies)
Last month we published an article providing testing tips for testers. Today, we are delighted to present ‘Software testing with efficiency (tips for companies)’. The goal of testing is to provide quality to end users, something any organisation must keep in mind. Here then are some points which may help companies with their testing efforts.
Read our blog, ‘Efficient software testing tips (for software testers)’.
Adopt a test driven development strategy
This is a practice whereby unit test cases are built before the code is developed. Known as ‘Test Driven Development (TDD)’, the approach is one that guides software development. When code fails a test, a fix is then applied and you can then move on in a structured manner. The key aspect of this approach is to only change or write new code after tests fail.
TDD is derived from Extreme Programming (XP) and the Agile Manifesto. XP is an agile software development framework with a goal of producing higher quality software. It also then strives to deliver a higher quality of life for development teams. The Agile Manifesto is a document identifying 4 key values and 12 principles that software developers should consider using to guide their work:
4 Values
- Favour individuals and interactions over processes and tools
- Prioritise working software over comprehensive documentation
- Customer collaboration takes precedence over contract negotiations
- Lean into ‘response to change’ rather than following project plans
12 Principles
- End users’ needs should be met with early and continuous delivery
- Be open to changes in requirements, even during the later stages of a project
- Deliver completed work at regular, short intervals
- Work with the project team and then also business owners on a daily basis
- Assemble a motivated team and then give them trust, support and the right environment
- Engage in regular, face-to-face communication
- Measure progress using completed work
- Adopt processes promoting sustainable efforts and a constant working pace
- Insist upon continuous attention to excellence via good design
- Encourage simplicity
- Appreciate that the best work comes from self-organised teams
- Regularly look to increase effectiveness by adjusting your approach
Implement a strong testing plan
A good test plan details what is tested, when it is tested and how it should be tested. It will then describe who will be carrying out the tests involved. Explanations on the scope and functions of tests plus the objectives must be included, thus helping with risk management. Then you should also add a schedule outlining all testing activities required and defining the roles of all team members. This way, everybody involved will know exactly what is required. Consider including the following information in your test plan:
- Test plan identifier plus introduction
- Strategy
- A list of all related documents
- All test items
- Software risk issues
- Features to be tested / not to be tested
- Item pass or fail / suspension criteria
- Deliverables
- Test environment
- Schedule with responsibilities
- Any staffing or training requirements
- Costs involved
Additional tips to consider
Software testing with efficiency can also be achieved by doing the following:
- Building a robust team
- Completing regular reviews
- Embracing different types of software testing (i.e., UAT, exploratory and ad-hoc, automated testing)
- Reporting everything clearly and concisely
If your company engages in software testing, then you should evaluate existing processes using the above points within a checklist. Are you incorporating everything mentioned above? If not, then perhaps whatever is missing may help. Or, you could just get in touch with our experts – thus, the choice is yours!