Each enterprise can avail several advantages by automating its software testing efforts. As a more efficient and effective alternative to manual testing, test automation requires pre-scripted tests to be executed by software tools. These tools are further enable QA engineers to run several tests repeatedly and frequently to improve quality, while saving both time and cost. An organization also has option to choose from a wide variety of open source and test automation tools. At the same time, an enterprise can also consider building customized software testing tools according to its specific needs. Therefore, it becomes essential to evaluate the pros and cons of buying or building a software testing tools to take the decision that will increase efficiency, productivity and ROI.
Comparing Option to Build or Buy a Software Testing Tool
1. Complex Nature of the Application: The decision to buy or build test automation tools must be taken by keeping in mind the complex nature of the application. If the application has complex features, deals with large volumes of technical data, or uses a frequently changing UI, it cannot be evaluated effectively by the commercial tools. Most of the commercial products do not offer any off-the-shelf solution to submit and process a large amount of variable data. So an organization has to build customized tools to process the data effectively while evaluating the software application.
2. Agile Development Approach: An increasing number of enterprises are adopting Agile development to deliver high quality software within a very short span of time. But the Agile methods emphasize on changing the UI at rapid and frequent intervals. So the software testing applications must be customized to write and executed a large number of automated tests. Also, the automated test scripts need to run at a time to deliver accurate test data. In such scenarios, an organization can avail additional advantages by building the software testing tools.
3. Open Source Software Testing Tools: An enterprise can further consider using the open source software testing tools to avail a number of benefits. Along with being cost-efficient, the open source toolsets are also effective in reducing dependencies on specific toolsets or products, while promoting faster time-to-market. The QA engineers can further avail the assistance of the large open source community to customize the tool without any hassle. Regardless of your decision, you must consider using open source tools to get higher ROI.
4. Cost of Development: The budget of an organization will also affect its decision to buy or build a software testing tool. An enterprise has to deploy a team of developers to build a customized tool according to its specific needs. Similar to normal software development project, the testing tools development will also require planning, time, resources and funds. On the other hand, the commercial software testing tools can be procured without any hassle. As an enterprise has option to choose from a wide variety of testing tools, it can further evaluate the pros and cons of each commercial product according to its specific needs.
5. Option to Outsource QA Efforts: As an alternative to building or buying a software testing tool, an organization can consider outsourcing its software QA efforts. Along with bringing the QA cost down, the outsourcing will further enable the enterprise to hire experienced offshore QA engineers along with availing the advantages of customized test automation tools. Once the test strategy, test plan, and test cases to be automated are finalized, an organization can consider outsourcing the project to save time, money and efforts. At the same time, the QA service provider will ensure that the best tools are used to deliver the most effective test results.
While building or buying a software testing tool, you must decide the test cases that need to be automated. As the look and feel of an application cannot be evaluated accurately by the tools, interface testing must not be automated fully. So the test strategy must seamlessly integrate both manual and automated testing to achieve the predefined goals. You can hire folks from professional automation testing companies who have proven expertise of handling automation testing projects as well to help you execute the test strategy perfectly.
We provide automation testing services. If you would like to get your application tested by our certified automation testers, please contact us at Mindfire Solutions.
Effective test management is essential for optimizing the features, functionality and quality of a software application. The process further ensures that best product is developed by deploying limited resources, while implementing smart test management practices at various stages of the project. Many organizations, nowadays, use test management software programs to make plan and manage the testing process effectively. These programs are further effective in covering a wide variety of test activities including test planning, test authoring, test execution, test tracking and test reporting. Further, an organization can use test management software to build complex applications by deploying teams deployed across different geographical locations, while controlling both development and quality assurance (QA) cost.
Using Test Management Software to Curtail Software Development and QA Cost
1. Enhanced Software Quality:- The quality and performance of the software will have a direct impact on its popularity. So each enterprise has to deploy both manpower and resources to carry out QA activities. Some of these applications also need to be tested frequently to fix all errors, bugs and flaws through additional coding and testing. The test management software enables organizations to cover all test activities. So an organization has option to reduce operational cost by reducing manpower and resources.
2. Easy to Outsource Projects:- Most companies outsource software development and QA projects to control labor cost. The test management software makes it easier for such organizations to coordinate between the members of its distributed team residing in different location. Thus, an enterprise can easily outsource the project to a region that has favorable payroll standards. Many reports have already highlighted how test management software facilitates quality assurance efforts, and brings down QA cost.
3. Option to Hire Experienced QA Engineers:- The outcome of a software testing project is often affected by the knowledge, expertise and experience of the QA engineers. It is also important for an enterprise to hire experienced QA engineers to optimize its QA efforts. But each organization, nowadays, explores option to beat competition by cutting down project cost. That is why; most organizations hesitate to hire experienced QA engineering team to control cost. The QA management software enables companies to avail the services of an offshore team of experienced testing professionals without incurring any additional expenses.
4. Reduce Software Development Cost:- A constant increase is noted in the number of organizations adopting test driven development (TDD) approach. At the same time, many companies even automate their testing efforts to avail the Agile benefits. Each organization can use real-time test management software to release a high quality and flawless product, with reduced development time. As the tools enable developers to access the current updates, they can easily implement the coding or bug reports changes at once. Further, the most current and updated version of the software can be evaluated to identify errors in the early stages of the process. As many reports have highlighted an organization can control development cost by identifying and fixing bugs earlier in the product cycle.
5. Optimize Bug Identification Efforts:- An enterprise can get higher ROI in the long run by constantly optimizing its QA efforts. Also, each organization must use test automation tools according to specific needs of a project. The right test management software will definitely optimize the organization’s bug identification efforts. The software further helps enterprises to enhance both efficiency and productivity by adopting Agile project management techniques. Similar to Agile development model, the test management software also enables QA engineers to evaluate the software early and often. Further, the test cases can be reused in future production cycles to save both time and resources.
Each enterprise has option to choose from several test management software programs. But the organization must evaluate the pros and cons of each application to ensure that it is effective in bringing down the software development and QA cost. 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 get your application tested by our certified software testers, please contact us at Mindfire Solutions.
QA engineers often find it more challenging to test a mobile application in comparison to evaluating desktop and web application. In comparison to other applications, mobile apps also have a smaller footprint on the virtual machines. At the same time, the app needs to run flawlessly on a wide variety of mobile operating systems and devices. Along with the performance and efficiency of the app, the testing strategy also needs to consider its hardware configuration and screen size for different handheld devices. Therefore, more and more enterprises are automating mobile app testing process to avail a number of advantages. In addition to increasing productivity and efficiency, mobile application testing automation can further reduce the testing time and cost.
Top Five Advantages of Mobile Application Testing Automation
1) Reduces Testing Time and Cost: Most organizations automate application testing to save both time and cost. Unlike to conventional and manual testing methods, the test automation tools evaluate an app’s quality more rapidly and efficiently. The automated test scripts can be executed several times to identify all flaws, errors and bugs in the app. Also, the tools can evaluate each feature and functionality of the mobile application without requiring any additional time. Each enterprise has to initially invest in test automation tools and framework. But these tools can be used to evaluate mobile apps over a longer period of time, and thus get higher ROI.
2) Address Specific QA Challenges: Often QA engineers face many challenged when evaluating the quality of a mobile app. The look, feel, features and performance of the application also need to be tested for different handheld devices and operating systems. Some of the test automation tools allow QA engineers to test both native and hybrid apps without putting any extra time and effort. These tools further identify all flaws that affect the functioning of the mobile app on different operating systems.
3) Easy to Carry Out Several Tests: Unlike desktop and web applications, the mobile app must be tested by QA engineers more thoroughly. The testing professionals also have to run a variety of tests to evaluate the app’s quality and performance. Along with usability, interface, compatibility, services and low level resource testing, the QA engineers also have to run operational, performance and security testing. As they have option to choose from several test automation tools, the testing professionals can carry out the required tests without any manual effort or intervention.
4) Option to Use Open Source Test Automation Tools: Often an organization has to invest some amount of time, money and effort to automate its mobile application testing. Along with hiring skilled QA engineers, it also has to buy several test automation tools according to specific needs of the project. However, each enterprise has option to choose from a number of efficient test automation tools that are open source and free. The open source tools further reduce the overall cost of automating mobile application testing. Further, the test scripts and tools can be used across different application formats, in addition to being modified easily for future projects.
5) Avail Benefits of Mobile Cloud Computing Environment: Many reports have highlighted how the web-based mobile environment provided by Cloud computing is effective in reducing overall project development time and cost. The environment further enables QA engineers to deploy, test and automate a variety of mobile applications without any hassle. At the same time, the environment is effective in meeting quality requirements, while focusing on the common challenges faced by QA engineers. As the data and test are stored on the web, the QA engineers have further option to use more efficient scripting language, access live environment through modem and bypass the network. An organization can automate mobile app testing to avail the distinct advantages of the web-based mobile environment, while meeting the latest industry standards.
However, the mobile application testing automation strategy of an organization must identify the key QA challenges like variation in mobile operating systems and devices, selection of right test automation tools, and the latest trends and standards. The right mobile application testing automation plan can further get higher ROI to the enterprise in the long run.You can hire certified automation testers from top automation testing companies India who have proven expertise of handling automation testing projects as well to save you on the time and costs.
We provide automation testing services. If you would like to get your application tested by our certified automation testers, please contact us at Mindfire Solutions.
A constant increase is noted in the number of enterprises opting for automation testing. Each organization also has option to use a wide variety of tools and programs to effectuate its test planning, execution and analysis. Further, software testing can be automated either partially or fully to reduce the human efforts and intervention. At the same time, innovative automation testing tools can be used to set up a test environment, input the test data, and gather test results. Unlike conventional and manual testing methods, the test automation tools are effective in testing large scale projects where a huge amount of information is processed quickly and repeatedly. If you are yet to automate your software testing, it is a good idea to understand how automation testing will get you enhanced productivity, efficiency and ROI.
7 Amazing Benefits of Automation Testing
1) Saves Both Time and Cost: Each enterprise has to explore option to address the time constraints related to software testing. The QA engineers also have to put additional time and effort to manually evaluate all features of a large scale project. As automated testing is carried out by tools and programs, the testing time is reduced substantial. Further, regression testing can also be done without any hassle whenever any new feature is added to the application or code is changed. The reduction in the time and resourced required for regression testing also contribute towards reducing the overall project cost.
2) Easy to Implement: An organization can adopt automation testing without putting any extra effort. Once it defines its requirements, it becomes easier to design the test system and choose customized testing tools. Further, the scope of automation testing can be enhanced according to the characteristics and requirements of a specific project. Along with the volume, complexity and availability of information, the scope of testing can further be optimized according to frequency and repetitiveness of the test cases.
3) Facilitates Regression Testing: An organization can save both time and resources by automating repetitive tasks like regression testing. Normally, regression testing is carried out for each new release of an application, system or product. Also, regression testing is done whenever new features are introduced or existing features are changed. So the multiple releases of the application require the test cases to run several times. An organization can set up an automation testing environment to quickly execute regression testing on each release of the software application.
4) Optimize Software Quality: In comparison to manual testing methods, automation testing is more effective in improving testing quality. Along with testing a large volume of data within a shorter span of time, the testing tools are further effective in identifying all errors, bugs and flaws in an application. The detection and prevention of the defects can also be done without requiring any manual intervention. As the automated test cases can be executed repeatedly, it becomes easier for QA engineers to test all features and functionality of the application several times. At the same time, an organization can avail the advantages of automation testing to adopt test driven development approach without any hassle.
5) Enhanced Coverage: The QA engineers often require more time to test each feature and functionality of an application manually. But the automation testing tools make it easier for them to test each feature and functionality of the application simply by creating a test suite. The test suite can also be customized according to the size and requirements of the project. So it becomes easier for an enterprise to enhance the testing coverage without investing any addition time and resources.
6) Reuse and Maintain Test Cases: Each enterprise has to invest initially in customized automation testing tools and programs. But the initial investment will help it in reusing and maintaining the automated test scripts in the long run. The automated test scripts can be used to evaluate the features and performance of different versions of the same application, regardless of the changes in the user interface. Also, the scripts can be standardized to incorporate the changes required to test applications of similar nature.
7) Essential for Agile Development: Many organizations are adopting agile development methods to boost productivity and efficiency. But many experts have highlighted how complete testing automation is essential for adopting agile development. Also, agile development intends to change the test objects constantly, enterprises must choose the right testing tools to evaluate the functionality of the current sprint. So automation of component and unit testing, along with system and integration testing is essential to avail the advantages of agile development.
However, an organization must make and implement a comprehensive strategy to avail the advantages of automation testing. The test automation strategy also needs to be monitored and evaluated constantly to achieve preset objectives without investing any extra time and effort. You can hire certified automation testers from top automation testing companies who have proven expertise of handling automation testing projects as well to save you on the time and costs.
We provide automation testing services. If you would like to get your application tested by our certified automation testers, please contact us at Mindfire Solutions.
A constant increase is noted in the number of enterprises integrating software QA as part of the development cycles. Also, many companies are adopting test driven development approach (TDD) to enhance quality, efficiency and productivity. But a number of reports have highlighted how the software QA strategies of many organizations fail despite putting time, resources and funds. Several experts have further opinioned the software testing industry needs a reality check in order to thrive in upcoming years. According to these experts, software QA industry, just like manufacturing industry, must explore innovative ways to meet the constant changes in test automation tools, testing methodologies and application architecture. At the same time, each organization also needs to understand how to make its QA strategy more realistic and effective.
How to Make Software QA More Realistic
1. Identify Key Elements of Software Testing: While making the testing strategy, you must identify the key elements of software QA like test strategy, test plan, test cases, test environment and test data. Each of these elements contributes towards optimizing your software QA. These elements can also be considered by your manual as well as automated testing strategy. Each aspects of a QA must concentrate on these elements to emulate the real user behavior and environment. Further, these elements will help you in deciding the test automation tools required to create the perfect environment for software QA.
2. Eliminate the Unnecessary Processes: While planning software QA, many people forget that many quality control techniques have evolved from the manufacturing industry. These techniques and practices often make software testing both process-driven and procedural-driven. There are always chances that some of these process-driven or procedural-driven techniques may not complement the latest trends in software testing. That is why; it becomes essential to evaluate each of these processes based on what you need to check. You must identify and eliminate these process-driven and procedural-driven methods to effectuate your QA strategy.
3. Avoid the Over-Hyped Tools: When you decide to automate your software QA, it becomes essential to invest in test automation tools and programs. You have options to choose from loads of testing tools available in the market. Most enterprises prefer the latest test automation tools to get better results. But you must remember that often companies launch marketing campaigns to hype their software testing tools. There are also chances that the latest tools available in the market may not complement your specific needs. So you must evaluate the pros and cons of each tool to ensure that it is managing both quality and coverage, while articulating the risk properly.
4. Decide the Test Cases to be Automated: You have option to automate all or selected test cases. Many experts advise QA engineers to automate the test cases that need to be tested repeatedly and frequently. At the same time, many experts even recommend enterprises to automate most of the test cases to get high quality and ROI. An organization has to invest more funds to automate its software QA completely. But one must not ignore the test cases that can be evaluated only manually. The testing strategy of an organization must seamlessly integrate both automated and manual test cases to deliver quality test data.
5. Prevent Context Leakage: Many companies outsource software QA to save both efforts and funds. However, the outsourcing of software testing projects can have a negative effect due to context leakage. Similar to software development, context is of great importance to both testing and QA reporting. Also, the QA engineers deployed by the outsourced company do not have access to the primary source of information that results in more context leakages. So you must explore option to prevent context leakage while outsourcing software QA. It is always important to coordinate with the QA team constantly to make the testing more contextual and realistic.
The software QA strategy of an enterprise must consider the latest trends in software application testing. It must emphasize on some of the best practices and industry standards to make the process more productive and efficient.
We provide software testing services. If you would like to hire software test professionals from us, we would be glad to assist you at Mindfire Solutions.
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.
The complex and time-consuming nature of software development has made it essential for organizations to implement a comprehensive software testing strategy. Some enterprises still use conventional and manual testing methods, whereas others automate software testing to save both time, efforts and cost. However, the software testing plan of each organization must concentrate on a number of additional points to improve both efficiency and productivity. The software application verification activities can be divided into static and dynamic testing.
Under static testing, the QA engineers refer to a checklist to ensure that the process is going according to preset standards including coding, deployment and integration. Some of the widely used static testing methodologies are inspection, review and walkthrough. On the other hand, dynamic software testing aims to evaluate the quality of an application by giving input values and checking the expected output. The commonly used dynamic testing activities include unit tests, system tests, acceptance tests and system tests. So the software testing plan must identify if a verification activities will fall under static or dynamic testing methodologies.
Key Differences between Static and Dynamic Software Testing
1. Objective: The software testing strategy of an enterprise must emphasize on both static and dynamic testing techniques. However, the objective of each type of testing will differ. The static testing techniques must be used to assess the design, code and documentation based on checklists and predefined processes. But the dynamic testing techniques must aim to identify the errors, flaws, bugs or bottlenecks in the software.
2. Execution of Code: The static testing methodologies are used to improve the software quality by identifying errors in the early stages of development. These methods identify flaws in the application checking the code, specifications and design documents manually. So code is not executed under this testing. On the other hand, dynamic testing methods aim to check the functional behavior of the application, required resources and overall performance of the system by executing the code.
3. Types of Defects: The static as well as dynamic testing must be performed to find two distinct sets of defects, errors or flaws in the application. As static testing is conducted in the verification stage, it identifies defects like syntax errors in the code, missing requirements and design defects. But dynamic testing is performed in the validation stage. So it uses several techniques to identify defects like if the variables are not constant or the output is meeting the expected standards.
4. Testing Techniques: The testing techniques used for static and dynamic testing also vary. Static testing normally used certain techniques to prevent defects by verifying the process. So it uses techniques like informal and technical reviews, walkthrough, inspection and static code review. But dynamic testing uses several techniques to identify and fix defects in the application, while doing validation process. Therefore, dynamic testing uses techniques like unit testing, system testing and integration testing.
5. Coverage: Normally, static testing can be carried out before compilation. But dynamic testing can be done only after compilation and linking. Also, each type of testing will cover different aspects of the software. Static testing will provide structural and statement coverage to improve quality through reviews and comments. At the same time, dynamic testing will cover the executable file of the code to identify and fix all types of bugs.
6. ROI: Unlike dynamic testing, static testing is performed in the early stages of development. Therefore, static testing is considered to be more cost-efficient in comparison to dynamic testing. The static testing techniques are further considered to get higher return on investment (ROI) as no test automation tools are required. However, static testing requires more meeting and manual efforts in comparison to dynamic testing.
An effective software application testing strategy must include the static as well as dynamic testing methodologies to improve software quality. The static testing methods can be used to for the purpose of verification, whereas the dynamic testing methods will involve validation.
We provide software testing services. If you would like to hire software test professionals from us, we would be glad to assist you at Mindfire Solutions.
1. Complex Nature of the Application: The decision to buy or build test automation tools must be taken by keeping in mind the complex nature of the application. If the application has complex features, deals with large volumes of technical data, or uses a frequently changing UI, it cannot be evaluated effectively by the commercial tools. Most of the commercial products do not offer any off-the-shelf solution to submit and process a large amount of variable data. So an organization has to build customized tools to process the data effectively while evaluating the software application.
