There is no such thing as “100% bug-free software,” but it is possible to get close to perfect by gathering enough information regarding the quality of a digital product or service. It’s simple: if you detect the weak points, you will be able to mitigate shortcomings. To do it effectively, QA teams need to spend sufficient time on software testing strategies.
Test planning activities assist a team in defining the scope and coverage of testing. It enables Test Managers to have a clear picture of the project’s status at any time. Besides, testing strategy writing kick starts a thought process that helps to structure the QA activities, keep everyone informed, and discover some unexpected issues on the way – requirements that aren’t being met, logical gaps, etc.
Long story short, when a competent testing strategy is in place, the chances of missing any essential test activity are minimal. There are a lot of tips and guidelines revealing the secrets of creating a good test strategy. In this post, we’ll tell you a bit about the next step: reviewing this document.
Let’s take a step back and start with some theory. What does a strategic approach to software testing mean, and how does it influence the development at the core?
Strategic thinking is the ability to move away from the epicenter of your current project at the time and looking at a bigger picture. To be more clear, strategic thinking is what helps you understand what is important for a project both now and in the future. It prepares the firm background for scaling and growth. And it works this way for all industries and fields.
In quality assurance, a strategic approach gives the team a clear sense of direction. By outlining the plans in test strategy documents, a QA specialist explains the journey towards software quality to the team members and stakeholders. As a result, the team gets a long-term plan designed to achieve their objectives and a methodology for executing this plan.
Of course, test planning and test strategy don’t guarantee you will be able to predict everything. You just set the course. There may be alterations on the way. Still, it is much easier to move in the right direction when you already have the backbone for further decisions.
Remember this when communicating the benefits of a strategic approach to software testing to the development team and stakeholders.
A testing strategy isn’t just another document. In the software testing life cycle, it is a mirror of all QA actions. During the test execution process, refer to it and stick to the plan until the software is released.
Some agile teams reduce the number of strategy documents they write since their primary focus is on test execution rather than documentation. However, having a basic test strategy always aids in proper planning and mitigating project risks. All high-level activities can be captured and documented by agile teams to finish test execution on time and without errors.
Software development is a dynamic process. Thus, it’s critical to regularly set aside time to reassess the test approach. In particular, a QA specialist who writes a testing strategy should:
A software tester’s job is to convey information about a product’s quality, risks, and test coverage to the decision-makers. Altogether, it enables stakeholders to make better decisions about what to automate or evaluate on other levels, allowing them to take a more holistic approach to risk management.
All entities participating in project management, the business team, and the development team, are to sign off on the QA strategy once all these activities are outlined. So technically, a QA specialist reviews a document to keep it up to date. Then, other stakeholders review an updated version to get familiar with those changes and authorize them.
It is essential for all team members to understand that a testing strategy is a living document, especially if we are talking about long-term projects. It means that QA specialists should come back to reviewing a strategy occasionally and update it as software grows or business priorities change. Reviewing also helps to discover bias or aspects built on assumptions.
Software testing strategies include the entire project scope detailing the following:
However, there are specific areas that should be revisited because of their significance and impact on the whole testing process.
It may seem self-evident, but it is critical to ensure the project and product goals are aligned with test planning and objectives. Pay attention to the following points.
Review what is being tested, and how successfully or inadequately it is being carried out along with what isn’t being tested noting the context and constraints like a lack of time.
Assess how early testing is getting involved and if testing efforts are being designated to areas where they could be most useful. Is testing being done in production and is information being acquired through logs, and monitoring tools?
The timeframe between when a new feature is introduced and when it reaches the user is the most critical factor to constantly evaluate. The key goal is to figure out how to make this statistic better (which is the one that matters most to the business). Then, check for any waste, whether it’s time or quality, and see what tools could be used and what process changes could be made.
Using the correct metrics and KPIs to your benefit is an important aspect of reviewing a testing strategy. Quality assurance activities are continually looking for methods to deliver additional information that will reduce uncertainty and improve risk control. That information, however, has to be properly examined.
Choose metrics that help improve the team’s performance. The amount of bugs reported should not be the main focus because it may lead to your team focusing on less important areas. You can consider using the following metrics:
Another fundamental part of a testing strategy is to be clear on how the team is made up.
There are some other things to consider when reviewing a test strategy – the processes that impact the time allocated for testing. To make sure deadlines won’t affect product quality but contribute to improvements:
The goal of reviewing a test strategy is to make sure you have covered all the bases and to seek out the unknown unknowns. Continuous review of automation and manual software testing efforts, taking into account the size and expertise level of your team will help ensure you are always on track to achieve the objectives set out in the QA strategy.
All stakeholders should sign off the reviewed document, confirming they are aware of the updates and approve them. However, a QA specialist – a QA Lead or a software tester – is the one who writes and reviews the strategy.
To do it effectively, consider all the requirements and testing methods that will be employed. Make a list of all the actions needed throughout the testing phase and establish what must be completed based on your testing strategy. Apply your critical thinking skills. Set-up quality communication with developers and stakeholders.
Rely on your experience in the QA and work with a bigger picture in mind. Then, reviewing a testing strategy will be a curious puzzle to solve rather than a tough challenge.
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