QA services have always been an integral part of software development. And a full-stack QA engineer, an expert skilled in many areas, can positively transform the dev process. So, let’s break down the true meaning of full-stack and what it can do with the right implementation.
Ambi Testing – The Perfect Blend of Manual and Automated Testing
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Definition & Value of Full-Stack QA
A full-stack QA engineer is a professional who feels comfortable working with all software layers. They are confident with various testing types and QA methodologies. They specialize in manual software testing services as well as automated testing services and have a strong grasp of software functionality.
Among the crucial skills for a versatile QA engineer are:
- extensive experience in web, mobile, and desktop testing;
- effective processing and creation of tech documentation;
- understanding of client-server architecture;
- expertise in testing of databases, web apps, web services, APIs;
- proficiency in testing paradigms such as BDD (behavior driven development);
- experience with DB and SQL;
- familiarity with different AT tools and frameworks.
Applying this skillset in practice means enhancing present QA processes. So, having a full-stack QA expert working on a project translates into the following values:
Flexibility – one person responsible for a scope of tasks. This leads to easier team collaboration as this individual is knowledgeable in many areas of the software. Further, better insight building is another merit. Having a fuller picture of development processes can help improve and optimize current practices and approaches.
Efficiency – automated testing is a typical next step in software development. And an expert with knowledge of both manual and automated QA can set AT quicker and more accurately. Additionally, a full-stack QA engineer can speed up the onboarding process. The introduction of a new team member becomes faster and easier, specifically, because this specialist can educate the freshmen on the application’s basics and teach them to both manually test it and set up test automation.
Quality – coordination between automation and manual testing allows for better testing. A manual QA specialist reviewing AT eliminates many false positives in automation results. Also, a full-stack QA engineer can help with creating a reliable test approach for an application under development. Particularly by identifying potential and existing weak points, prioritizing tests to automate, and implementing manual testing.
Introduction to Ambi Testing
Ambi Testing involves the practical integration of full-stack QA engineers for a particular project. These specialists merge automation with manual testing and also are able to carry out basic security and performance testing.
So, by definition, Ambi Testing promotes allowing a QA expert set up automation particularly because they are well-versed in manual testing. Thus already proficient in the QA backbone.
A common concern is delegating diverse and often time-consuming duties, manual and automated testing, to one person. But there is a simple approach to making this a benefit.
How Ambi Testing Works
Since full-stack QA experts already know the software’s functionality, they can easily outline what automation should cover. By focusing on what the application can do rather than on what it should do, they can effectively structure AT. In turn, this leads to precise test automation, higher accuracy, and comprehensive insights via the manual QA perspective.
After preparing the proof of concept, it takes about 1 month to determine the AT coverage, define the framework, and create test scripts. Manual tests can take up to a couple of days to execute. With automation, this period is reduced to a few hours. So with this month dedicated to setting up AT, time-to-market can be substantially shortened.
Manual testing takes 40% of the workload, as new user scenarios and features should be reviewed manually first.
Novel functionality and updates cannot be simulated with a script. Thus, testing them manually first is essential (and, perhaps, the only way to do it).
Automated testing typically makes up 60% of the workload, as Ambi Testing is efficiency-centric. Commonly, regression and smoke tests are automated first. Next on the list would be API, functional, and UI tests. Ambi Testing enhances the value of AT advantages by creating a customized automation framework and reinforcing it with manual tests.
In practice, Ambi Testing follows a straightforward, systematic flow:
- Writing test cases for manual QA.
- Executing manual tests and reporting bugs.
- Automating the selected manual tests and/or user stories.
- Executing AT scripts and sharing the reports.
- Maintaining automated test scripts.
- Repeating the cycle for all the new features.
Each step here can be tailored to specific project needs. Thus, QA during development becomes an even more powerful tool for making high-grade software.
When Ambi Testing Works
Ambi Testing may not be a one-fits-all solution, but its full potential can be leveraged in a number of situations. So, it is especially beneficial for:
- Shortening release time with the least team scaling.
- Small projects with a clearly defined scope of tasks.
- Core functionality that is beyond the active development stage.
- Software interface that should not undergo significant changes.
- Combination of repeated tasks and under-development functionality.
- Ongoing addition of new features where some components cannot be simulated (in such cases, manual QA is optimal).
Contrarily, when the project is in active development, Ambi Testing would not be the optimal pick. Automation is superior when it is done based on relatively stable functions. Otherwise, a QA engineer’s focus would dissipate and their responsibilities blur, which would have negative consequences for both the expert and the project.
So, to get the most out of Ambi Testing, carrying out software needs assessment is desired. And with the right implementation, full-stack QA specialists can be the forte for the development process.
Benefits & Complexities of Ambi Testing
Ambi Testing is a rather specific solution. And it can have some hurdles when implemented for the first time.
Particularly, its main complication comes with setting up the working process. It may be difficult to proportionate manual/automated testing. That is why some time should be dedicated to working on the automation framework specifically. As if a QA engineer is distracted by other tasks, they will not be able to produce an effective AT strategy.
Consider the following example. A full-stack QA expert focuses on creating an AT framework. At this time, a new build comes up, which, most likely, needs to be tested promptly. The QA specialist drops their tasks and begins assessing the new feature. The result is unfinished automation, and the novel tests that would further widen the unfinished AT scope.
That is why full-stack QA engineers should not be rushed into their duties at once. They are capable of successfully covering all tasks, but the key is to distribute the assignments smartly.
At the same time, Abmi Testing offers specific and worthy benefits:
- As the QA engineer has already learned the product during manual testing, they understand well what to automate.
- Testing becomes more efficient as one expert is responsible for combining manual with automated testing.
- The team receives results more quickly as the QA professional can run manual testing parallel to automated checkups.
- The team has a single point of contact, and the full-stack QA specialist shares insightful feedback on both manual and automated activities.
- Resource allocation can be optimized since the QA engineer is effective in not only testing, but onboarding as well.
Ambi Testing is not the saving grace for AT. But it can be a valuable solution for automation needs. And it might just be what some software calls for.
To Sum Up
As user expectations and necessities constantly evolve, businesses need to find new ways to adapt the development process for greater efficiency. Software testing services advance together with the IT industry realities. Because quality should not be compromised at any point. Ambi Testing is the best of both worlds – efficient development and quality production.
