Friday 31 October 2014

Software Testing - Why, What and How

offshore qa testing, software testing services, hire software quality assurance testerSoftware testing is a method through which the functionality of a software program can be reviewed. Thus, this method allows an opportunity to the enterprises to comprehend the risks or the advantages related to software implementation. The test techniques are modeled to find out bugs in the application or program. However, the techniques are not limited only to this purpose. There are various kinds of testing but primarily two types are used – dynamic and static. Since the possibilities of software testing are vast, certain strategies are used to select the tests that will be feasible keeping in mind the resources and time frame.

Understanding the product is important

The software testers offer important insights and data about the present condition of the system. This information helps in minimizing any ambiguity associated with the program or app. In order to release a product in the market, it is essential to understand about the various aspects of the product, like, its usability and its compliance with other apps, etc. Thus, this process helps in making objective assessments regarding conformance of the product to the desired specifications or requirements.

Validation is a necessity

This method further verifies that the product meets the requirements that include reliability, performance, usability, security, functionality, etc. This is done to ensure that the building method is right. Moreover, it confirms that the system built is in accordance with what the users want. To put it briefly, validation is necessary to make sure that the software that is being developed is correct. Besides making the right decisions, the information from software testing is also helps in dealing with risk management.

Testing helps in quality check

It is vital as the process helps in improving the quality of the product. While tracing defects or bugs is one of the many aims of testing but it is not sole purpose. It is equally crucial that the product meets the requirements that were specified initially. It must be in sync with the purpose for which it is being developed. Quality enhancement enables the company to minimize reduce cost of service and support after the product is released. It also generates a good will amongst the customers when you deliver them a product that has minimal issues and reduces their costing as well.

How to carry out testing?

Whilst there are several benefits associated with this method, but the big question is how to carry it out successfully? A number of professionals are involved in this process – developers, managers, quality analysts, testers, tech leads, etc. The project is planned with the software requirement specifications (SRS). The main responsibility lies with the tester to develop the product from the specifications provided. The developers begin the coding once the design is complete. There are different modules in which the project is divided. The testers are also responsible for writing tests as per the assigned modules.

How do the errors function?

Committing errors are part and parcel of life. The process of testing is also not devoid of them as these are developed by human beings. However, simple errors can lead to a complete failure of the system. Thus, the cost involved with errors can be huge. Therefore, it is important to build products that are reliable. Mean Time between Failure (MTBF), Mean Time to Failure (MTTF) and service level agreements are some of the tools that are used to measure reliability.

How much software testing can be done?

This is also a crucial question. It has been proven that everything cannot be tested in software. There are exhaustive testers but exhaustive testing is a not a reality. The primary aim of testing is to justify the cost against the risks involved with the product. This method is dependent on how the project is planned and executed. It is also vital to assign the required tests first id there is time crunch.

To conclude, testing is an indispensable part of software development. How it will be carried out and what extent depends on the completion of the project, resources and the available time. To get maximum benefits of testing, you may consider hiring services of a offshore QA testing company.

We provide software testing services. If you would like to hire software quality assurance tester from us, we would be glad to assist you at Mindfire Solutions.

Wednesday 29 October 2014

Increase the Efficiency of Mobile Apps through Test Automation

automation testing, test automation services, hire automation testing expertsThe rapidly growing popularity of smartphones, tablets and phablets is encouraging enterprises to invest in mobile app development. But often enterprises find it a daunting challenge to make their mobile apps popular. To make a mobile app popular, an organization must optimize its look, feel, performance, and compatibility. At the same time, the enterprise also needs to ensure that the application is delivering flawless user experience.

Before its release, the business must identify and fix all errors, flaws or bugs in the app. Many reports have highlighted that a business can increase the efficiency, effectiveness and coverage of testing by using a variety of test automation tools. Also, automated mobile testing helps QA engineers to increase the app’s performance and efficiency, by overcoming some of the common and significant challenges.

How Mobile Application Test Automation Helps in Increasing the App’s Efficiency?

Check the App’s Compatibility with Mobile Devices: To become popular, each mobile app needs to function flawlessly on a wide variety of mobile apps. The enterprise needs to ensure that the app is compatible with different versions of smartphones, tablets and phablets. With new handheld devices being launched at frequent intervals, it is not possible for testers to assess the compatibility of the app with different mobile devices and platforms manually. But they can use several mobile test automation tools to assess the look, feel and performance of the mobile app across a wide range of mobile devices.

Assess All Aspects of the Mobile Apps: Normally, manual software testing methods avoid tests that are lengthy and through. But the test automation tools make it easier for QA engineers to improve the software quality in increasing the depth and scope of tests. The test case will run automatically, while having access to all aspects of the mobile app. So the test cases can check if the app is behaving expectedly by evaluating the data tables, memory contents, file contents and internal program states. The testing tools can also be used to carry out lengthy, detailed and complex tests without affecting the app release schedule.

Evaluate New Features and Functionality: To beat competition, the business wants to add innovative and critical features to the app through different stages of promotion. So the performance of the app needs to be tested thoroughly each time any new feature in includes. The manual regression testing methods are slow and time-consuming. So the shortened time to market restricts the manual regression testing scope. But the QA engineers can use several tools to conduct regression testing repeatedly, and the functionality and performance of the app remain unaffected by the changes.

Facilitate Testing Repetition: To identify all flaws, errors or bugs in the application, it must be tested thoroughly during all development cycles. The repetitive testing efforts will ensure that the application is performing flawlessly. The test automation tools allow QA engineers to conduct the tests repeatedly without putting any extra time and effort. They also have option to reuse and modify the test cases to assess the app’s performance through different development cycle. Also, test automation helps enterprises in saving both cost and time.

Expand the Test Coverage: The manual testing efforts often restricts the test coverage due to availability of limited resources. But automation of mobile testing efforts delivers good test results on time. The use of automation tools further help the enterprises in expand the test coverage without deploying any additional testing professionals. The expanded testing makes it easier for developers to identify all flaws, errors and bugs in the app, and get these fixed as early as possible. An enterprise can further use cross-platform automated testing methods and tools to automate the testing of large and complex mobile applications.

However, a business also needs to decide the right mobile test automation tools and methods. It also needs to implement a detailed mobile testing strategy by focusing on a number of best practices and challenges. The mobile testing efforts must the automated properly to make the mobile app popular within a short span of time. To get maximum benefits of testing, you may consider hiring services of an Automation testing company.

We provide test automation services. If you would like to hire automation testing experts from us, we would be glad to assist you at Mindfire Solutions.

Monday 20 October 2014

Ways to Estimate Testing Method and Cost

offshore software testing, qa and testing services, hire software testersOne inevitable question that the client will ask is, “By when can you complete the project?” In such a situation it is important that a valid and realistic completion time is provided. There are several dynamic factors to be considered while working on a project which includes time, resources, funding, etc. Deciding upon an exact time of delivery and cost is always not possible. These factors often work as limitations for a project. Hence, there are certain estimation techniques that are required to plan, judge the scope and constrain the status of the project. These techniques can drastically improve the estimating practices; thus, reducing the risks. These ensure that the success rates for the projects are increased. Whether you are developing and launching a new website, developing a new product or updating an existing one, the involvement of skilled people, funds, testing, implementation, revision, etc are required. Thus, it is vital that you know the right ways to estimate the testing methods and cost before you begin working on the product.

Estimation techniques prove helpful

Estimating is an indispensable tool as far as managing and anticipating projects are concerned. You know this, right? This is the tool that will help to manage the uncertainties involved in developing products. These techniques aid in identifying the cost as well as time that are relatively accurate. This way the risk associated with the projects are reduced as there are lesser chances of going beyond the budget in a big way, running out of time and resources.

Identify the factors that can challenge the estimation

Before you set anything straight you need to point out the basic problems. The same rule applies while estimating the testing methods. Inspite of creating relatively correct effort and time predictions, it might seem difficult to turn them into reality. Thus, the need is to identify the factors that obstruct the progress. There are 3 basic problems including the presence of unknown variables that might make anticipating difficult or, even, impossible. Secondly, sometimes there are miscalculations that lead a company to believe it can manage a project within an available time. But in reality, it does not turn out to be that way as it is not possible to achieve more than is feasible within a stipulated duration. Thirdly, mostly, out of enthusiasm and a desire to please the client, a miscalculated estimation is projected. Once, these issues are taken into account, it becomes easy to provide a more believable and acceptable estimation for testing and cost.

Bug cycle should be considered

While estimating testing method, it should be kept in mind that the bug cycle is also a part of it. Therefore, a test cycle might take more days than what was estimated at the beginning of the project. In order to avoid such a situation, it is vital that the build is a stable one. In case the build has uncertainties, the developers will require more time to fix it. Hence, the test cycle gets extended.

Revise the estimations

Software development is an elaborate process. Once you reach the testing stage, several factors have arisen and more issues could arise during the process. Hence, it is imperative that the estimation is revised often. This should be done in the early stages so that there are no discrepancies once you freeze the estimation. It is always advisable not to extend the estimation for testing method unless major changes are required.

Take care of the inadequacies beforehand

If it is felt that a proposed duration or budget is inadequate, it is always better to suggest adjustments at the initial stages. These adjustments can be carried out by balancing the four criteria, like, quality, cost, features and schedule. The project rollout should be a planned one from the very beginning so that there is no need to scramble with the schedule at the later stages. You can also include some buffer time as that would help to deal with the delays, if any. However, this buffer time should be realistic.

Learn from your pas

To ensure that your ways are sure to spell success, the best way is to learn from your past. Your experiences with the previous projects will help immensely if you refer to them. Analyze your previous estimates and decide on the new ones accordingly.

These are just some of the basic ways in which you can estimate the testing method and cost – both are two major factors in developing a project. With accurate methods for estimation working on the project becomes smoother. As a result, the product development will be successful. To get maximum benefits of testing, you may consider hiring services of a offshore software testing company.

We provide QA and testing services. If you would like to hire software testers from us, we would be glad to assist you at Mindfire Solutions.