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bookmark_borderHow to prepare for a QA interview – Tips for your next QA interview

Posted on by BIanca
How to prepare for a QA interview

Are you preparing for a QA interview? If so, you’ll want to make sure you’re as prepared as possible. After all, the better you do on the interview, the better your chances of getting the job. To help you out, we’ve put together a list of our top tips for how to prepare for a QA interview. By following these tips, you’ll be in a great position to impress your interviewer and land the job.

An overview of how to prepare for a QA interview

A QA interview is an opportunity for a company to assess your skills and knowledge in quality assurance. It is important to be prepared for a QA interview to demonstrate your abilities and stand out from the competition.

Some things to expect in a QA interview include questions about your experience with various testing tools, your approach to quality assurance, and your knowledge of software development processes. It is also common for interviewers to ask about problem-solving skills and how you would handle various testing scenarios.

To prepare for a QA interview, brush up on your knowledge of testing tools and software development processes. You should also be prepared to talk about your experience with quality assurance and your approach to problem-solving.

Research the company

It’s always a good idea to do your research on a company before you interview them. This is especially true for a Quality Assurance interview, as you’ll want to be able to speak to the company’s quality standards and how you would help them meet or exceed those standards.

Here are a few tips on how to research a company for your next QA interview:

  • Google

Google is a great resource for researching companies for a QA interview. Simply enter the company name into the search bar and you will be presented with a wealth of information, including the company’s website, recent news articles, and more.

This is a great way to get an overview of the company and learn more about its products and services. You can use Google to find specific information about the company’s hiring process, such as their interview questions and what to expect.

  • Review the company website

When researching a company for a QA interview, the first place to start is the company website. This will give you an overview of the company’s products and services, as well as its company culture.

  • Look for recent news articles

Another way to research a company is to read news articles about them. This can help you learn about any recent changes or developments at the company.

  • Browse the business’s social media

Checking out the company’s social media will give you a good sense of the company’s culture and values. It will also give you a good sense of their work environment and what they’re like as an employer.

  • Read the company’s reviews

A great way to learn more about a company is to read reviews from current and former employees. This can give you insight into the company culture, work/life balance, and what it’s like to work there overall.

Do a practice run

Doing a practice run for a QA interview can help you feel more prepared and confident going into the real thing. To do a practice run, start by finding a friend or family member who can ask you questions similar to what you might be asked in an interview.

Take your time answering each question, and pay attention to how you feel as you’re doing so. If you feel nervous or unsure of yourself, take a deep breath and relax. Remember that you’re just practicing and that there’s no need to be perfect. After you’ve answered all of the questions, take some time to reflect on how the practice run went.

Once you identified your strengths and weaknesses, work to improve on the things you did wrong while landing a QA job, and keep those lessons in mind going into the real interview.

Know your resume

No matter how much experience you have as a QA tester, it’s always important to be prepared for your next interview. After all, your resume is the first thing that potential employers will see, and it’s important to make sure that it accurately reflects your skills and experience.

To that end, here are two tips on how to prepare your resume for your next QA interview:

  1. Make sure your resume is up to date: Include any new skills or experience you may have gained since the last update.
  2. Highlight your experience with specific QA tools and technologies: Employers want to know what you’re familiar with and how you can use those tools to help them.
  3. Consider including a skills section at the end of your resume: While most QA professionals include this section before their work experience, there is no wrong place for it. Test yourself…did you include all of your relevant skills on your resume? If not, add them in a skills section. This can help the employer quickly identify that you have the right QA skills for the job.
  4. Make your employment history speak for you: While it’s important, to be honest about your work history, you don’t have to include every job you’ve had. Instead, focus on putting together a solid five to 10 years of work history that showcases your strongest attributes.

No matter what technology you use, always be sure to check your software’s documentation and online tutorials to get a sense of how the tool functions and what kinds of tests you can run with it. This insight will help you during your interview.

Testing concepts for your QA interview

To succeed in your QA interview, you will need to have a solid knowledge of several concepts. Those concepts include test design techniques, software development processes, tools, and attributes. Let’s go over some of the most common testing concepts that you will encounter in your QA interview:

  • Formal Testing and Informal Testing

Before we go further, we should define two testing terms: formal testing and informal testing.

Formal testing is the structured method of evaluating a software application by assuming the role of a software user. Informal testing is simply the same thing, but without any predefined requirements or scripts.

  • Test design techniques

You should be able to identify several test design techniques, such as black box testing, white box testing, integration testing, acceptance testing, and component testing.

  • Test objectives

You should also be able to identify the different objectives that tests can have, such as validation, acceptance, design, and equality criteria.

  • Testing strategies

Try and learn to identify several testing strategies, such as mutation testing, boundary-value analysis, design-based testing, and exploratory testing.

  • Tools of the testing trade

Try and familiarize yourself with several tools of the testing trade, such as debuggers, compilers, interpreters, simulators, profiling tools, bug trackers, and URL validators.

  • Test documentation

You should be able to document tests in various ways, such as using a test plan, an inspection report, a test summary, or a test report.

  • Test measurement

Prepare by being able to measure various test properties, such as complexity, completeness, accuracy, validity, stability, maintainability, and minimality.

  • Test optimization

You should be able to optimize the time spent on testing by identifying test-writing techniques that minimize the time spent testing and maximizes the cost savings.

What to anticipate on the interview day

On the day of your QA interview, expect to be asked questions about your experience with testing and quality assurance. Be prepared to discuss your approach to testing and how you would go about identifying and resolving issues. The interviewer will also want to know about your problem-solving skills and your ability to work in a team environment. Be sure to have examples of your work ready to share, as well as any questions you may have about the position or the company.

To help you prepare for your next QA interview, we’ve compiled a list of common questions that you may be asked. Read our article “How to choose the best QA tester interview questions” to find more.

bookmark_borderHow do KPIs work in QA – Use KPIs to improve your QA process

Posted on by BIanca
How do KPIs work in QA

Quality assurance (QA) is a process or set of processes that help ensure that the products meet customer expectations and requirements. QA is typically associated with software testing but can be applied to any product. In this article, we will discuss how do KPIs work in QA and how to use them to improve your QA process.

Key performance indicators (KIPs) are metrics that are used to track progress and success. In QA, KPIs are used to track the performance of the QA team and the quality of the products they produce.

There are many different KPI s that can be used in QA, but some of the most common include defect density, cycle time, and customer satisfaction.

What is KPI?

KPI, or Key Performance Indicator, is a metric used to evaluate the performance of a process or team. In quality assurance, KPIs can be used to track progress and identify areas for improvement. By setting and tracking KPIs, you can make data-driven decisions to improve your QA process.

There is no hard and fast standard for measuring all of these KPIs, and you can also create KPIs that are not on the list. The following are the most commonly measured KPIs in the software testing industry:

Automated Tests

This KPI compares the percentage of automated test cases to the overall number of test cases. A greater percentage usually indicates a better chance of getting any breaks throughout automation runs.

The percentage of automation threshold should be determined based on the kind of product and the price of automation.

Authored Tests

This KPI can be used to track the number of tests created in a given period. This also aids in comparing test cases to necessities, and the constructed test cases can be analyzed for integration in the regression testing process or ad hoc test suite.

Covered Requirements

This KPI is used to assess the alignment of test cases and demands. A test manager is responsible for ensuring that all requirements have appropriate test cases and for taking action on any requirements that could not be plotted to any test case and vice versa.

The goal is to maintain a 100% mapping of requirements to test cases.

Active Defects

Active Defects are all defects that have not yet been ended. It may contain new, unresolved or untested defects. The testing manager must decide on a threshold value above which instant action should be taken to reduce the number of active defects.

The general rule is that the fewer active defects there are, the higher the quality of the product then.

Defects Fixed Per Day

This is employed to evaluate the efficiency of the development. It is open to interpretation because some bugs may be more difficult to fix than others. This could be used to forecast how much work the testing team will have to do.

Rejected Defects

This KPI compares the percentage of rejected defects to the overall number of defects identified. If the percentage exceeds the threshold value, the underlying problem must be identified and addressed. This could imply more software tester training or improved requirement documentation.

Defects Closure Rate

This KPI is used to assess tester performance in terms of confirming and closing fixed defects. It also aids in better estimating the release cycle.

Reviewed Requirements

This KPI ensures that any criterion that the testing and development team is operating on has been examined and approved by the subject matter expert. Unreviewed requirements may result in inefficient development and testing, which will be expensive in the long run.

Passed Requirements

This KPI is useful when determining the release of a product; if any requirements have not passed testing, the release should just be postponed.

Passed Tests

The number of flaws reported via designed test cases is evaluated to determine the efficiency of the test case design methodology.

Tests Executed

This KPI tracks the complete number of test cases done on a build, both manual and automated, at any particular time.

Test Instances Executed

This KPI is used to determine the velocity of test execution at any given time to ensure that the testing cycle is on the path to the release.

Time schedule and constraint

This KPI is employed to calculate the average amount of time required to run a test. This is useful when offering testing timelines during release planning.

How to use KPIs to improve your QA process

There are a few key ways to use to your advantage:

  1. Set specific, measurable goals for your KPIs: Without specific goals, it will be difficult to gauge whether or not your KPIs are improving your process.
  2. Use data to drive your KPIs: This means constantly collecting data on your process and using it to inform your decisions on which KPIs to focus on.
  3. Be sure to track both qualitative and quantitative data: While numbers are important, they don’t tell the whole story. Be sure to also collect data on things like customer satisfaction, error rates, and repeat incidents.
  4. Monitor your KPIs constantly: Set goals for each cycle or iteration of your product and constantly monitor your KPIs. If you don’t hit your goal, then your need to figure out why and make adjustments.
  5. Be cautious when selecting KPIs to measure quality assurance: Some of them can encourage bad behavior, like measuring the number of defects removed. Instead, focus on indicators that measure the quality assurance process itself, like cycle time or defect density.

Identifying what to measure

There are a few things to consider when trying to improve your QA process with KPIs.

First, you need to identify which aspects of your process need improvement. Once you know what needs to be improved, you can select KPIs that will help you measure progress in those areas.

For example, if you want to improve the speed of your QA process, you could track the time it takes to complete each stage of testing, If you want to improve the accuracy of your QA process, you could track the number of errors that are found during testing.

By tracking those KPIs, you can see how your QA process is improving over time and make adjustments as necessary to continue improving your process.

When are KPIs particularly useful?

  • You have a large testing staff

Having a large testing team also implies that testing tasks will be distributed widely. Monitoring some testing KPIs will be advantageous in ensuring that tasks are dispersed effectively and efficiently.

  • You’ve been working on the same testing procedure for quite some time.

When you have properly implemented a test plan and have executed it several times, it is time to measure the KPIs to determine which areas of your testing process require improvement.

  • You are considering implementing new testing procedures.

If you are considering retooling your testing process, having some KPIs compared to the original procedure will be beneficial. It will assist you in determining what objectives to pursue with the new testing methods.

Creating a process for measuring

Creating a process for measuring KPIs can help improve your QA process in several ways,

First, it can help identify areas of improvement within the process. Second, it can help track progress and identify trends over time. Third, it can help benchmark your process against others.

Finally, it can help ensure that quality standards are being met. By taking the time to measure KPIs, you can improve your QA process and ensure that products are of the highest quality.

In conclusion, KPIs are an important tool for measuring progress and determining whether or not a QA team is meeting its goals. However, it’s important to remember that KPIs should e used as a guide, not as a strict metric. The team should always be striving to improve, regardless of the numbers.

Read about “QA manager responsibilities in software testing” too

bookmark_borderManual testing advantages and disadvantages

Posted on by BIanca
Manual testing advantages and disadvantages

Manual testing has been around for a long time and is still widely used in software development. In this post, we’ll discuss the advantages and disadvantages of manual testing. This will help you decide if it’s the right approach for your project.

Table of Contents

Why is Manual Testing necessary?

Increasing numbers of software professionals favor automated testing as a result of shifting market trends, but manual testing is still necessary for a variety of reasons.

People’s Perspective

Only humans can view and assess the application’s fundamental usability and look and feel. Since the program was created only for humans, only they can validate it more effectively from the viewpoint of the user experience.

A broader viewpoint and different System workflows

A larger view of the entire application is always provided by manual verification. Since the human mind will never be a coding system that repeats the same steps repeatedly, it will always be exploring. As a result, it will offer wider coverage for system validation.

The price of automation

We usually favor rapid manual validation over automated testing because there are situations when prolonged efforts for automation are not acceptable given the dates or scope of the project.

What are the main benefits of manual testing?

In a few sentences, we can say that dedicated manual testers have a better understanding of how a software product feels to its users. This is because they have spent many hours using the product. This ability gives them an advantage when it comes to performing tests on the usability of a software application.

This proposition is correct, or at the very least true. Especially for the traditional automated testing frameworks that are used by many developers and quality assurance professionals. Some modern test automation tools are focusing more and more on a user’s behavior and journey. Especially for the traditional automated testing frameworks that are used by many developers and quality assurance professionals. Some modern test automation tools are focusing more and more on a user’s behavior and journey.

Also, manual testers can detect coding issues that might be missed by an automated test. Over time, defects have become increasingly complex, requiring human intervention to detect and resolve them.

Manual Testing Steps

  • Examine the manuals and documentation for the software project;
  • Study the Application Under Test (AUT)
  • Create test cases that address all the specifications specified in the documentation.
  • Together with the client and team leader, evaluate and establish the test cases.
  • Apply the test cases to the application that is being tested.
  • Report the discovered bugs
  • Run the failed test cases once more once issues have been addressed to ensure they pass.

Manual Testing Types

Manual testing can be carried out in a variety of ways, but it can be broadly divided into three types:

Black Box Testing

By manually giving the various test cases, the test examines the functionality of the specific module, specific method, orthodox, or occasionally the entire program.

Here, the tester will provide the application’s input and manually test it.

If it produces the desired outcome, the tester will move on to another set of inputs and inform the team of all the findings. The user will notify the development team of the problem if the manually entered data is unsuccessful during testing.

White Box Testing

This method involves the system’s internal workings of the system, such as design and coding.

Here, the development team will go through every line of code to make sure it is written correctly.

He or she will correct or fix any faults in the coding or designs if they are discovered to be inconsistent or in error.

Gray Box Testing

This method combines both black-box testing and white-box testing.

In this case, the tester has a partial understanding of the internal organization of the application.

The tester will manually examine the application’s core architecture and functionality. He or she will manually examine the provide many test cases while also revising the coding and testing the application.

The tester will alter the coding portion if the input fails at some point.

What exactly is automated testing, and what are its advantages?

The procedure of using a computer program to automatically test the functions and features of a piece of software to discover errors is known as automated testing.

The main advantage of automation is that it will allow your team to save time. By doing so, they can focus on more strategic and creative tasks.

Another advantage is that automated tests enable regression testing after modifications to a software’s code have been formed. This is saving time and money as the product progresses through its stages of development.

How can you combine manual and automated testing?

Automated tests are great at helping ensure the functional performance and capability of an app. Still, there are certain aspects of the software that can only be accurately captured via manual testing.

Most of the test automation is still limited by the code. It means that, if a system failure occurred in a server of an application, the code-based automated test suite would miss it.

A manual tester, however, can easily detect such errors y manually testing server response time.

A tool like UIlicious – which focuses on the user journey rather than the product’s code – could be described as a middle ground. Perhaps, especially if your primary focus is to facilitate your QA team on cases related to user behavior.

When should manual or automated testing be used?

Automated and manual testing should be used at different times.

Automated testing is ideal for detecting specification-based issues, which makes it the perfect tool for regression testing. Automate your regression tests to run regularly. Preferably after each new release or during integration time to catch any issues early on.

Most automated test frameworks can help you check the basic features of an application and its functions,

UIlicious is an exceptional tool that will let you conduct automated tests of your web so that they focus on how the app works from the user’s perspective.

The benefits of manual testing over automated testing

Works based on human intelligence

Manual testing allows testers to use their brains instead of relying on particular tools or scripts. This lets them use their innate higher cognitive abilities to write better test cases,

When it comes to finding more bugs, you can be sure that they can detect more issues with human perception than automated systems.

This is also the reason you will always require a human to evaluate the tests generated by automated testing tools.

Let the testers focus on complicated functions and features

It can be time-consuming to use automated tests to simulate every single scenario associated with a feature. Manual testing allows testers to focus less on emulating every different type of user path and concentrate more on thinking about special cases for complicated features and functions.

However, you can use datasets to reuse the same automated test scripts without needing to re-write every single line of code.

Identify the tester’s understanding of the product

By investing more time in familiarizing themselves with a product’s characteristics and functions, manual testing enables testers to observe its quality during its development cycle.

This allows them to keep information about the project, which will be beneficial if problems occur after modifications to the code have been produced.

This is one of the purposes we always advise manually testing a scenario before considering automating it.

Identifying errors in other areas of the software

Manual testing entails looking for bugs that do not affect the code, such as server response time. Most classic automated test tools, on the other hand, are restricted to what they can find inside the product’s code.

Providing accurate and objective emulation of user experience

Manual testing allows testers to utilize their knowledge and experience to mimic the user experience. On the other hand, automated tests risk failing to simulate various kinds of user perceptions due to numerous factors in real-world scenarios.

It contributes to the maintenance of a testable system.

Because automated tests cannot test the system in which they are embedded, manual testing can assist testers in identifying bugs that could render an application untestable.

The drawbacks of using manual testing

It takes longer than automated testing

Manual testing necessitates additional hours spent manually testing each feature and function of the application. This takes longer than running automated tests, which take only a fraction of the time. Automated tests can also run without guidance overnight.

It is susceptible to human mistakes.

Automated tests are significantly less likely to make mistakes than manual ones because their creators no longer need to focus on the tedious task of finding and fixing each bug.

Maintaining test cases it takes time

It ta more time to document all manual defects found in an application, which makes it more difficult to maintain track of modifications made later. This can be accomplished more efficiently by sustaining automated tests, which only need to be updated when new features or functions are incorporated.

In addition, testers have to know about product details

Before they can use the product effectively, manual testers must have a deep understanding of it. This assists them in identifying any mistakes that automated tests may overlook if their knowledge is incomplete. Testers are not required to be accustomed to all of the features and functions of automated tests.

It is costly to continue hiring manual testers

Because automated tests only have to be written once and run many times per day, they are a less expensive option than manual testing.

Overview of manual testing’s advantages and disadvantages

Automation is most appropriate for functions and features that necessitate the same input every time. On the other hand, manual testing is well adapted to discovering bugs caused by a variety of inputs, such as user experience.

Manual testing is the best ideal for projects with steady, consistent code, whereas automated testing is best suitable for tasks with fast-changing code.

Manual testing is best suited for situations where no turnaround time is required. Automated tests, on the other hand, are designed for faster response. This is why they are required in the majority of today’s software development life cycle,

There are both advantages and disadvantages to manual testing. The main advantage is that it is a very thorough way to test software since every possible input and output can be tested. The main disadvantage is that it is very time-consuming and expensive, especially if the software is large and complex. In the end, it is up to the software development team to decide which method of testing is best for their needs.

Read about “Manual QA tester certifications – 6 QA tester certifications” too

bookmark_borderHow to choose the best QA tester interview questions

Posted on by BIanca
How to choose the best QA tester interview questions

Quality assurance (QA) testing is a crucial step in the software development process. QA testers help ensure that the software meets customer expectations and is free of defects. When interviewing candidates for a QA tester position, it’s important to ask questions that assess a candidate’s ability to perform the job. In this article, we’ll share how to choose the best QA tester interview questions to ask candidates.

In principle, software testing seeks to provide a solution to the problem of how to ensure that the program performs as intended and refrains from acting in an undesired manner. Gaining certainty that the software you test generates the proper result for a given input is the main objective of software testing.

How to choose beginner-level QA tester interview questions + answers

What stages of the software testing life cycle are there?

The many stages of the software testing life cycle are as follows:

  • Test Planning

The test approach is established during this step

  • Test Case Development

In this section, precise test cases are built and defined

  • Environment Setup

It refers to a software and hardware setup that the testing team uses to carry out test cases

  • Test Execution

It involves executing the code and contrasting the desired and obtained results

What different testing methods are there?

The following are the three different types of software testing:

  • Black-box testing

It is a testing approach that just takes requirements and specifications into account. This approach does not call for any understanding of the internal structures, routes, or implementation of the software under test.

  • White box testing

It is a testing approach focused on the internal logic, coding, and software implementation of the tested program. White box testing typically calls for in-depth programming abilities.

  • Gray box testing

It is a method of software debugging where the tester has little to no understanding of the inner workings of the program.

What are the multiple kinds of testing?

The four primary testing levels are as follows:

  • Unit Testing
  • Integration Testing
  • System Testing
  • Acceptance Testing

What does Bug life cycle or Defect life cycle mean?

A defect goes through many phases in a process known as a defect life cycle during its lifetime. It begins when you discover a flaw and concludes when you checked that it cannot be repeated.

Based on several variables such as organizational policy, software development, project timescales, team structure, etc., it might differ from company to company and also from project to project.

What is a test case?

A test case is nothing more than a set of circumstances or variables upon which a tester will assess if the system he tested complies with the specifications or performs as intended.

What is the distinction between functional and non-functional testing?

Functional Testing

  • Is carried out prior to non-functional testing.
  • It’s depending on what the customer’s requirements are
  • Explains the functions of the product

Non-Functional Testing

  • Is conducted after the functional testing
  • It’s depending on what the customer’s expectations are
  • Explains how the product works

What does software testing verification and validation involve?

  • Verification

It is a method of static analytics. In this case, you can do testing without running the code. Reviews, inspections, and walkthroughs are a few examples.

  • Validation

It is a method of dynamic analysis where you carry the testing out by running the code.Techniques used in testing that are functional and non-functional are examples.

You can carry the development and QA processes out simultaneously under the V model. Testing does not have a separate phase of its own; rather, it begins with the requirement phase. The actions of validation and verification are complementary.

What is Usability testing?

It is a testing process in which the final user of the program is requested to use it to determine whether the product is user-friendly and to determine how long each task takes.

Utilizing prototype or mock-up software in the early phases is an accurate technique to complete the customer’s perspective for usability.

What different types of defects are there?

Defects are classified into three types:

  • Wrong

It suggests that requirements were not correctly implemented. It deviates from the specified requirements.

  • Missing

This is a deviation from the specifications, a sign that a requirement was not followed, or a sign that client demand was not correctly stated.

  • Extra

It is a necessity that you can include in the product but which is not requested by the final user. It is always a deviation from the specification, although it could be a feature the product’s user wants.

What foundation does the acceptance plan have?

Usually, you can use the following inputs to prepare the acceptance document:

  • Requirement document

It outlines the precise requirements for the projects from the viewpoint of the client

  • Input from the customer

These can be conversations, informal talks, emails, etc.

  • Project Plan

The project manager’s project plan is a valuable resource as you conclude your acceptance testing

What is coverage, and what kinds of coverage approaches are there?

We use Coverage as term to define how thoroughly the source code we test during software testing. Three fundamental categories of covering approaches are as follows:

  1. Statement coverage

It guarantees that every line of source code has been run via testing

  1. Decision coverage

It guarantees that each true/false decision in the source code has been tested and performed

  1. Path coverage

In this phase, we make sure that every path through a certain section of code gets tested and run

What are automation testing benefits?

  1. It makes testing a large test matrix easier.
  2. Facilitates running several repeated test cases
  3. Supports the execution of unattended
  4. Allows for simultaneous processing
  5. Reduces costs and time
  6. Increases accuracy and decreases human-made errors

What are the benefits of using Selenium for automation testing?

We employ open-source software called Selenium to automate web browser testing. Being open-source, Selenium has a significant benefit over other testing tools in that there are no licensing fees. Other factors contributing to selenium’s rising fame include:

  • We can use any of the following programming languages to create test scripts:

Java, Python, C#, PHP, Ruby, Perl, and Net.

  • Any of the following OS can be used for testing: Linux, Windows, or Mac
  • Any browser, including Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, Safari, or Opera, may be used to conduct tests.
  • It can be integrated to manage test cases and produce reports with tools like TestNG and JUnit
  • For Continuous Testing, it may be coupled with Maven, Jenkins, and Docker

What are the varied Selenium components?

Selenium’s various components include:

  • Selenium Grid
  • Selenium WebDriver
  • Selenium Integrated Development Environment (IDE)
  • Selenium Remote Control (RC)

What are the various kinds of locators in Selenium?

The locator is an address that identifies a specific web component inside the webpage component. To efficiently and precisely recognize web elements, we have various types of locators in Selenium, which are as follows:

  • ID
  • Name
  • ClassName
  • TagName
  • Xpath
  • CSS Selector
  • DOM
  • linkText
  • PartialLinkText

What is XPath?

XPath, also known as XML Path, is a query language for XML documents. It is a significant component for locating elements in selenium. It consists of a path expression and a number of requirements. You can easily write an XPath script/query here to find any element on the page. Its purpose is to enable XML document navigation to select particular aspects, attributes, or other parts of an XML document for processing. It also generates dependable locators.

Explain the distinction between an Absolute Path and a Relative Path

  • Absolute XPath

It is the most straightforward method for locating the element, but the drawback of absolute XPath is that if you change the element’s path, the XPath fails.

  • Relative XPath

The path for Relative XPath begins in the middle of the HTML DOM structure. It starts with a double forward slash (//), indicating that it can search for the element anywhere on the page.

When do I need to use Selenium Grid?

You can use Selenium Grid can to run the same or different test scripts on various platforms and browsers at the same time. It achieves distributed test execution, testing in various environments, and significantly reducing execution time.

How to choose intermediate-level QA tester interview questions + answers

Is testing necessary only after you complete the build and execution phases?

Testing is always performed after following the build and execution phases. The sooner we detect a flaw, the less expensive it is.

What is the connection between environmental reality and test phases?

As the testing phases progress, the importance of environmental reality grows. For example, while unit testing, the environment must be partially real, but during the acceptance phase, the environment must be completely real, or it must be the actual real environment.

A defect that could have been excluded during the first stage is removed later. How does this affect the costs?

If a defect is discovered during the initial phase, it should be excluded during that phase/phase instead of later. Delaying a defect for later phases indeed increases the cost.

When you identify a fault and remove it during the design phase, it is the least expensive.

But if you remove it during maintenance, it is twenty times more expensive.

What do regression and confirmation testing mean?

  • Regression Testing

You can describe it as a method of software testing used to ensure that a recent code change did not negatively impact existing features.

  • Confirmation Testing

When a test fails due to a flaw, you have to report it. Then you can forward a new version of the software with the defect fixed. We refer to it as a confirmation or re-testing.

What is Random Testing?

Typically, in Random Testing, data is created at random using a tool. This data is generated by a tool or an automated mechanism. The system is then tested with this randomly generated input, and the results are recorded.

Which is written first, white boxes or black boxes?

Black box test cases are usually written initially, followed by white box test cases. We need the documentation and the design or project plan to write black box test cases. These documents are easily accessible at the beginning of the project. White box test cases cannot be initiated in the early stages of a project because they require more architectural clarity, which is not accessible at the outset. As a result, white box test cases are typically written after black box test cases.

What are the fundamental elements of the defect report format?

The following are the basic components of a defect report format:

  • Project Name
  • Module Name
  • Defect detected on
  • Defect detected by
  • Defect ID and Name
  • Snapshot of the defect
  • Priority and Severity status
  • Defect resolved by
  • Defect resolved on

Is automation testing helpful in agile methodology?

Automation testing is very helpful in agile methodology because it allows for maximum test coverage in a shorter sprint time.

In what test cases you can use automated testing?

  • Non-functional test cases
  • Complex calculation test cases
  • Data-driven test cases
  • Smoke test cases
  • Regression test cases

How does Load Testing on websites function?

To access a website, a user submits a “request” to the server of that website. Then the server responds with the website you want to access. To load test a website, quality assurance and automation engineers simply multiply the number of responses sent by the traffic load.

The response of the webserver to the influx of virtual users will then be evaluated to decide server capacity and performance problems.

What is the difference between Selenium and Sikuli?

Selenium

  • It cannot automate flash objects such as video players, audio players, and so on.
  • It has a complex API
  • It can only automate web applications

Sikuli

  • It offers extensive support for automate flash objects
  • It has a simple API
  • It can automate both the web and a Windows application

What is TestNG?

It is a sophisticated framework that is designed to maximize the benefits for both developers and testers. It also includes an exception-handling mechanism that allows the program to run without stopping unexpectedly.

How to choose advanced-level QA tester interview questions + answers

What kind of feedback from the end user is required to start proper testing?

The end user is the most important character because he is the individual who must use the product and is more invested in the project than anyone else.

What does the term workbench concept mean?

At its core, a workbench is a method of documenting how a specific activity must be conducted. It is also known as phases, steps, and tasks.

Every workbench has the following five tasks:

  1. Input
  2. Execute
  3. Check
  4. Production output
  5. Rework

What does Defect Cascading mean?

A defect cascading is induced by another defect. One defect sets off the other. When a defect exists in any phase but is not recognized, it can move to the next stage without being recognized. As a consequence, the number of errors will rise.

What are the various end-user rollout methods?

The following are the rollout methods to be used:

  • Pilot
  • Gradual Implementation
  • Phased Implementation
  • Parallel Implementation

How can you use Selenium WebDriver to find broken links on a page?

This is a tricky question that the interviewer may ask you. He can present a scenario in which there are 20 links on a web page and we must determine which of those 20 links are operational and which aren’t.

Because you must test the functionality of each link, the workaround is to send HTTP requests to each of the links on the web page and examine the responses. When you employ the driver.get() method to navigate to a URL, it returns a condition of 200 – OK. This suggests that the link is operational and that it was acquired. Any other status indicates that the link has been broken.

To begin, we must use the anchor tags a> to identify the various hyperlinks on the web page. We can achieve hyperlinks for each a> tag by using the attribute ‘href’ value and then analyzing the response received when using the driver.get() method.

In TestNG, how do you skip a method or a code block?

To skip a specific test method or code, set the ‘enabled’ parameter in the test annotation to false.

@Test(enabled = false)

Explain briefly what the code snippet below indicates.

WebElement sample = driver.findElement(By.xpath(“//*[contains(text(), ‘data’)]”));

It declares a variable of type WebElement and uses an XPath search to activate it with a reference to an element with the text value “data.”

And, this conclusez the suect on how to choose the best QA tester interview questions.

If you want to make on how to choose the best QA tester interview questions, make sure that you’re focusing on the core skills and qualities that are essential for the role. A good QA tester will have strong attention to detail, be able to think creatively to solve problems, and have excellent communication skills.

They will also be able to work well under pressure and meet deadlines. Choose your interview questions based on these qualities, and you’ll be sure to find the right candidate for the job.

If you found this article useful, read about “Feedback for QA testers” too

bookmark_borderOnshore and offshore software testing

Posted on by BIanca

The key distinction between onshore and offshore software testing is that an onshore company is created in the same country where you reside, whereas an offshore company is created in a country other than where you have a home.

https://i0.wp.com/qa-house.com/b/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Onshore-and-Offshore-Software-Testing.png?w=640&ssl=1

What is offshore software testing?

Offshoring is the method of relocating some or all business operations abroad. Some companies do it for tax reasons, while others do it to expand their operations into some other country.  Offshoring is the practice of moving businesses to less-developed countries to effectively keep costs down.

What is onshore software testing?

On the other end of the spectrum, onshoring is the conduct of procuring out parts of business operations to onshore companies within the same or a similar country. Businesses that are involved in onshoring may enhance the development and growth of the domestic economy in this way.

Advantages of using offshore software testing services

To put it plainly, offshore software testing offers many advantages over domestic testing. This is why so many companies are choosing to send their code to be tested abroad. While it’s harder to get tested domestically if you are an SME, the cost isn’t the only factor in deciding where to send your code.

Here are some of the most significant benefits of using offshore software testing, and why you should consider contacting a firm abroad:

  • Lower costs

Testing services are usually a pretty expensive line item for a company to incur. Though sticker prices and domestic lab testers may seem cheaper upfront, an offshore firm can cut drastically deeper into that budget while still offering high-quality work.

Overseas firms generally have a higher volume of testers working cases, which cuts down on cost per man-hour. Add to that the cost of office overhead in a developed Western city, and you are looking at a lower overall cost for the same quality of work.

  • Speed

Domestic labs tend to have a longer turn-around time for code testing (ATS) due to the additional steps in the testing process. An offshore tester can get your code tested and returned to you in just a few days.

  • Cost-effective lab testing

Outsourcing allows you to take advantage of the cost differential between Western and Indian/Pakistan labs. While domestic labs tend to be much more expensive, an offshore tester can provide nearly the same level of testing at 60%-70% less. This allows you to test more applications, and support your other IT and software needs with savings.

Due to the cost-effective nature of outsourcing, you’re able to have testers with a wide range of skills tested. If you need a developer tested, you can have an offshore software tester also handle your coding tests. If you need application testing for a nontechnical employee, such as a receptionist, you can send them a test that asks them to click on a number from 1 to 100 — after testing them with a few questions, the tester will build a test based on the skills needed.

Overseas testers can provide a high level of quality comparable to that of Western labs — and you’ll save money doing it.

Disadvantages of using offshore software testing services

  • Language difference

Because software design and development are intricate processes, it’s frequently necessary to communicate subtly in order to realize your company’s goal.

Including non-native speakers in your team might result in delays, more effort, and higher-than-expected project costs.

How can a language barrier be overcome? Learn as much as you can about your offshore outsourcing partner in-depth.

Learn more about the project manager(s) you are considering, and make sure the communication is fluid.

  • Issues with real-time collaboration

If you attempt to work concurrently in nations with large time differences, it can be difficult.

  • Cultural distinctions

Cultures differ in terms of expectations for communication, working methods, and general behavior.

  • A cheaper cost does not always equate to a better offer

If you don’t get a fair return on your investment, what good is buying a cheaper product? Some outsourcers promise to perform a terrific job but never follow through.

Advantages of using onshore software testing services

Brand recognition

When it arrives to regional and local publics, there is no doubt that onshore companies have a larger audience grasp. Onshore companies are likely to be associated with local trade names that the public is accustomed to.

It’s just a bonus that they’ve decided to reinvest entirely in the local economy.

Collaboration is simpler

It is not surprising that working with an onsite and onshore team is simpler. Everyone is within grasp, and everyone is operating in the same location at the same time.

On-site teams have greater motivation than offshore teams.

Disadvantages of using onshore software testing services

Onshore QA testing has a number of benefits, but it also has certain drawbacks, such as:

  • Limited access to experienced testers

In some instances, it can be challenging to obtain qualified onshore QA testers. This is particularly true if you have particular specifications or if you’re looking for testers with specialized abilities.

  • Language differences

Communication may be challenging if the tester does not speak your language well, which could result in misunderstandings.

  • Cultural distinctions

It’s possible that onshore QA testers are unfamiliar with the cultural norms in your nation or region. Communication challenges and difficulties comprehending the examination procedure may result from this.

Cost of QA Testing: 5 Factors to Consider

Whether you choose onshore or offshore testing, there are a number of elements that will influence the cost of QA testing. These consist of:

  • The place(s) where your test team is located

Developed nations often charge more for labor than poor nations do. As a result, onshore QA testing will cost higher than offshore QA testing.

If you decide to outsource your QA testing, you must account for the cost of logistics and transportation. As a result, the overall expense of offshore QA testing may increase dramatically.

  • The quantity and kinds of testing needed

The price of QA testing will increase as more tests are needed. Costs are also influenced by the complexity and scope of the tests; for instance, manual testing is frequently more expensive than automated testing. Tests for security or performance, for example, may cost more than tests for other types of testing.

  • How big and complicated your project is

Obviously, the cost of QA testing will depend on the scope of your project. A bigger, more complicated project will cost more to test because it will need more time and resources.

The difficulty of your endeavor is another consideration. Testing will take longer on a project with plenty of features and functionality than on a project with fewer features. Therefore, when planning your QA testing budget, it’s crucial to take your project’s complexity into account.

  • The testers’ degree of experience

The price of QA testing is going to increase the more experienced your testers are. The most costly testers are likely to have extensive experience in both onshore and offshore contexts.

  • The variety of platforms and devices you must test on

The cost will increase the more devices and platforms you need to test on. This is due to the fact that every device and platform needs a unique set of tests.

If you need to test across a variety of platforms and devices, offshore QA testing might be an excellent choice because it is frequently less expensive than onshore testing.

Conclusion

There are pros and cons to both onshore and offshore software testing. It’s important to weigh the costs and benefits of each option before making a decision. Offshore testing can be cheaper and faster, but it can also be more difficult to manage and communication may be more challenging. Onshore testing may be more expensive, but it can offer more control and peace of mind. Ultimately, the best option for your business will depend on your specific needs and objectives.

You can read about “Offshore software testing” too

bookmark_borderAsk for feedback as a QA engineer

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Ask for feedback as a QA engineer

As a QA engineer, it’s important to always be asking for feedback. Feedback helps us to improve our process and to find areas that need improvement.

Without feedback, we would never know if we’re doing a good job or not. Asking for feedback is the only way to ensure that we’re always improving.

Here are some tips on how to ask for feedback:

Be open to feedback

As a QA Engineer, feedback is essential to our work. It helps us understand what is working well and what needs improvement.

You must be prepared to get the feedback that you have requested. If you’re not, you may be causing yourself harm. Don’t become dismissive while soliciting suggestions and comments. You will send a signal to your reviewer that you are not willing to hear what they have to say.

Because of that, they will hold back in the future, making it more challenging to induce honesty from them. Receiving feedback with an open mind and a positive, embracing attitude should be your primary objective.

Determine the right feedback providers

Going to each person you deal with daily to solicit feedback regarding your performance is ineffective and may send an incorrect message,

Not everyone can give you the type of feedback you are searching for. Consider who has the most engagement with you regularly when deciding who can provide the best constructive feedback.

As a QA engineer, your feedback should come from users, developers, and other QA engineers.

Plan your questions

Keep your goals in mind as you consider the types of questions you would like to request from your feedback providers. What particular questions do you need to request to accomplish your objectives?

If you want to learn to organize your time more effectively, ask questions that elicit feedback on where you can enhance your QA project.

Consider your clear objectives and create questions that will assist you to define and establish a response.

Request feedback in the correct manner

Once it comes time to solicit feedback, you must be ready to accept the responses with an open mind. Reality is determined by perception. As a result, you must be able to comprehend the workplace from their point of view.

Many folks are much more truthful when they are not directly confronted with the scenario. Feedback can be provided in several ways. As long as it is understood that you are seeking honest feedback that will assist you to become a better QA Engineer.

When to ask

You don’t wish to request so many questions that your coworkers get the perception you are needy and insecure. However, you should solicit feedback at a constant rate and during significant events of the project.

How should you request feedback?

While direct face-to-face communication is typically the most efficient method of getting feedback, it may not function for everyone or in every situation.

This is particularly important if your team is geographically dispersed or if you are soliciting feedback from a wide range of stakeholders.

Here are some tips on how to request feedback as a QA engineer:

Online Feedback

  • Into files

Allows contributors to classify comments, recommendations, modifications, guidelines, and so on straight into files.

You can use Google Docs or Word documents to get instant feedback on a specific project or process.

  • Onto a Browser

Utilize cooperative feedback tools like Slack or Filestage to enable numerous individuals to provide instant feedback and contributions to project files that you and your team are working on.

Tools like Filestage enable you to insert comments directly into a wide range of files, including audio files, graphics, documents, and others.

  • Via Email

You can request expert or project feedback by simply sending out an email with the proper questions.

  • Via a Survey

Utilizing tools like SurveyMonkey or Typeform to seek feedback from a diverse group of people about a specific project, process, or service is a nice method to get it.

  • Through a Project Management tool

Establish a feedback system in a project management tool like Asana or Trello to gather and collate effective feedback from all project stakeholders.

Offline Feedback

  • With Physical Survey

Surveys are an efficient way to quickly obtain agreement from a group of people, such as your team members, especially if you manage a huge team. It may serve as the foundation for future topics that you and your squad can investigate forward and keep improving upon.

  • With Conversation

Simply engaging in a discussion with your stakeholders is the best way to obtain the most detailed guidance. Ask open-ended questions to enable them to elaborate on their responses. Also, seek information that evokes a mix of positive and possibly negative replies.

Utilize feedback as a teaching tool

The most inefficient use of time is gathering feedback and then not doing anything with it. Not all feedback will be genuinely reflective of the quality of your effectiveness, a particular project, process, or product.

However, you will observe common patterns across the various feedback sessions which should act as indicators of what particular things should be updated in the future.

Asking and receiving feedback is a skill that takes time to master. The key is to be open to feedback and to view it as an opportunity to improve your skills and work product.

As with anything, practice makes perfect. The more you do it, the better you will become at asking for and receiving feedback. And, the better you become at receiving feedback, the more productive and effective you will be as a QA engineer.

Read about “Feedback for QA testers” too

bookmark_borderQA Engineer vs Test Engineer

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QA Engineer vs Test Engineer

QA Engineer vs Test Engineer, those two roles have the same goal, and that’s it to make sure that the products works properly and it meets the customer requirements.

When it comes to software development, there are a few key positions that are essential to the process. Two of these positions are the QA Engineer and the Test Engineer.

While these positions may seem similar, there are a few key differences.

Read about “QA analyst vs QA Tester”

QA Engineer vs Test Engineer Differences

QA Engineer

A Quality Assurance Engineer is responsible for ensuring the quality of the software product. They work closely with the development team to ensure that the software meets all requirements and is free of defects.

When the product reaches the production stage, he/she will make an entry to ensure that it is being designed by the specifications specified by the client.

Rather than being involved directly with testing, they frequently performs closer to the production end of the business, writing inspection procedures and auditing the process on the production floor.

Because QA Engineers lack a specialized degree for this position, their possibilities are limited to quality checks and quality control. However, a QA Engineer can advance to positions such as Quality Assurance Manager or Director of Quality Control.

In large organizations, a QA Engineer can advance to a high-level management position implicated in the quality of an entire product line.

A QA Engineer will…

  • Investigate and improve the processes and products
  • Be present all through the product’s lifecycle
  • Provide a positive customer experience

QA Engineer Salary

In the US, the average salary of a QA Engineer is $97,110. The average additional cash compensation is $9,137.

This will make an average total compensation in the US $106,247.

Test Engineer

A Test Engineer creates test methods and undertakes evaluations to decide the performance of a product. This can happen during the design of the production stages.

When tasked with testing a specific product, he/she will test different aspects of the product to determine which method produces the best results.

They may advance to other engineering positions such as Application Engineering, Design Engineering, or Engineering management.

Based on the company and the his or hers achievement, this role may be promoted to a senior-level position or assigned to a leadership role. In this role, he will represent and handle other engineers.

A Test Engineer will…

  • Investigate code modules
  • Be typically active after the coding cycle
  • Detect software bugs

Test Engineer Salary

The estimated average salary in the US for a Test Engineer is $80,655. The average additional cash compensation is $4,930.

This will make an average total compensation in the US $85,655.

So, what is your choice?

In a software company, your title does not always describe your job duties. When a Test Engineer tests a product, it is his responsibility to satisfy the customer. so he is automatically in the shoes of a QA Engineer.

Even as a Test Engineer, you want the client to have a positive experience when using the product. And so, you take steps to make it the greatest product on the market.

Think further than the job title and past the horizon. Having flexible roles will be beneficial in the long run.

bookmark_borderQA apps for managing

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There are many QA apps for managing available that can help with managing a software development project. These apps can help with things like tracking bugs, managing feature requests and organizing your project’s roadmap.

Having a good QA app can help make your project run more smoothly and help you avoid potential pitfalls.

Some of the best quality assurance apps include TestRail, Zephyr, and Xray. These apps can help you manage your testing process from start to finish, and provide you with all the tools you need to ensure quality.

The Benefits of Quality Assurance

Quality assurance is a process that helps to ensure that products and services meet the highest possible standards. There are many benefits to implementing quality assurance, including improved product quality, increased customer satisfaction, and reduced costs.

Quality assurance tools and techniques

There are several different QA tools and techniques that can be used to support the quality assurance process. Some of the best quality assurance apps include Jira, TestRail, and Zephyr. These tools can help you manage your quality assurance process and ensure that your products and services meet the highest possible standards.

1. Jira

Jira is a popular quality assurance tool that can help you manage your QA process effectively. It offers a wide range of features and integrations that can make your life easier, and it has strong community backing that can offer support and advice when needed.

2. TestRail

TestRail is a quality assurance tool that helps you manage your QA process. It provides a centralized repository for test cases, a flexible workflow for managing testing, and comprehensive reporting tools. It makes it easy to track and manage your QA process, and provides the data you need to make informed decisions about your product quality.

3. TestLodge

TestLodge is one of the best QA apps to help you manage your quality assurance process. It allows you to create and manage your test cases, track your testing progress, and collaborate with your team. It also has a great reporting feature that allows you to see your testing at a glance.

4. Test Collab

With Test Collab, you can manage your test cases, requirements, and bugs all in one place. You can also track your testing progress and generate reports to share with your team. Test Collab is a great tool for any team looking to improve its quality assurance process.

5. Xray

The Xray QA app is a powerful quality assurance tool that helps businesses to improve their products and services. It also provides a range of features that allow businesses to track and monitor their quality assurance process.

The app also includes a range of reports and tools that businesses can use to improve their QA process.

6. qTest

qTetst is a quality assurance app that helps developers and testers identify and track defects in their software. The app provides a central repository for all your testing assets, including cases, requirements, and test results. It also includes powerful tools for collaboration, reporting, and defect management.

7. Zephyr

Zephyr QA is a quality assurance app that helps businesses improve their products and services. It does this by providing users with a platform to track quality assurance issues, as well as tools to help resolve them.

By using Zephyr QA, businesses can ensure that their products and services meet the highest standards of quality. Additionally, the app can help businesses save time and money by identifying and resolving quality assurance before they become problems.

QA apps can be extremely helpful in managing a business. They can help to streamline processes, improve communication, and track progress. However, it is important to choose the right app for your needs.

There are a variety of QA apps on the market, so be sure to do your research before making a purchase. With the right app, you can take your business to the next level.

Check out our article “QA test case management tools” too

bookmark_borderQA and testing difference

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QA and testing are two important aspects of software development. Both ensure that the software meets the required quality levels. However, there are some key differences between QA and testing.

It focuses on the process of developing and maintaining software, while testing focuses on assessing the quality of the software.

Testing is typically done by executing the software against a set of test cases, while QA includes activities like requirements analysis, design, coding, and configuration management.

Let’s take a closer look at both of them:

Quality Assurance (QA): What it is

Quality Assurance is a process or set of procedures intended to ensure that a product or service meets certain quality standards. It is often associated with manufacturing but can be applied to any type of business or service.

QA is important because it helps to ensure that the products and services meet the needs of customers or clients. It can also help to improve the overall efficiency of a business or organization.

QA testing definition

The benefits of QA

Quality assurance can be particularly beneficial to a business in the following situations:

  • Before launching a new product or service

This can help to prevent the introduction of products or services that will cause the company to lose money or gain negative customer feedback.

  • When there is a need to reduce costs

Quality assurance can identify and eliminate waste and unnecessary costs.

  • When there is a need to improve or expand services

A quality assurance program can help a company to explore new opportunities and reach new markets.

  • To guard against product or service defects

QA programs can prevent problems before they arise and mitigate the effects of any issues that occur.

  • To guard against safety or health issues

It can identify and address any issues that could harm customers or employees.

  • To increase the marketability of a business or organization’s products or services

Quality assurance can help to enhance the reputation of a business with customers, potential investors, and other organizations.

  • To attract and retain employees

A well-run quality assurance program can help keep talented workers happy and encourage them to stay with the organization.

  • To meet regulatory or legal requirements

Quality assurance programs can help to ensure that the organization meets the requirements of such regulations as Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidelines or Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards.

What are the methods of quality assurance?

There are many methods of quality assurance, but the most important thing is to make sure that the products and services meet customer expectations.

Quality assurance can be done through various means, such as inspections, testing, and audits. By ensuring that products and services are of the highest quality, businesses can maintain customer satisfaction and loyalty.

Testing: What it is

When it comes to software development, testing is an essential process that helps to ensure the quality of the end product. Testing can be done at various stages of the development process, and it generally involves running the software through a series of tests to check for bugs or other errors.

While it can be time-consuming it’s important to do it thoroughly to avoid releasing a buggy or unstable product. This is why many developers use automated testing tools to help streamline the process.

What is a test?

A test is an assessment of something, typically carried out to determine its suitability, quality, or performance. Testing is an important part of the development process for any product, as it can help to identify any issues or potential problems that need to be addressed.

Many different types of tests can be carried out, depending on the purpose of the testing. For example, a functional test may be carried out to ensure that a product works as intended, while a usability test may be carried out to assess how easy it is to use.

The benefits of testing

There are many benefits to getting your software testing. Perhaps the most obvious benefit is that it can help identify bugs and other issues that need to be fixed.

This can save you a lot of time and money in the long run, as you can avoid release delays and expensive post-release fixes.

Another benefit of testing is that it can help ensure the quality of your software. This is especially important if you are releasing a new product or feature, as you want to make sure it meets your users’ expectations.

Testing can also help improve the usability of your software, as tests can provide valuable feedback on how to make it more user-friendly.

Furthermore, testing can help to ensure compliance with industry standards and regulations. And last but not least, properly conducted testing can improve the overall user experience of your software, which can lead to positive customer experiences and better brand visibility.

In conclusion, QA and testing are both important processes in software development. However, they are two distinct disciplines that require different skill sets.

Quality assurance is more concerned with the overall process of development and ensuring that the best practices are followed.

Testing is more focused on verifying that the software meets the requirements. Both play an important role in ensuring that software is of high quality.

bookmark_borderQA tester tasks – 8 essential tasks for every QA tester

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A QA tester is responsible for quality assurance within a company. In this article we will discus some of the QA tester tasks.

Generally QA testers test products and software to ensure that they meet the required standards. QA testers may also be responsible for creating and maintaining test plans, as well as writing and executing test cases. To be successful in this role, one must have strong attention to detail and be able to work well under pressure.

QA tester tasks

1. Test design

Test design involves planning how you are going to test a product. Depending on the product or software, this can range from very quick and simple to extremely complex.

For example, if you were testing a video game, you would first need to figure out what functions the game has, how the player interacts with it, and what the expected outcomes are. This would be the function of the game. You would then need to figure out how to simulate player inputs and outputs, thus allowing you to determine whether the game is functioning properly about the expected outcomes.

This, however, is only a fraction of the complexity involved in test design. Depending on the industry you work in and the level of quality expected, your test design may range from simple test cases for a web app to complex proof-of-concept designs for medical devices.

2. Requirements gathering

Before you can begin creating and executing test cases, you will need to gather requirements. Those may come from various sources, including:

  • The customer or client
  • The developer or programming team QA, if there is already a version of the product available

3. Test planning

Once you have all the requirements, you will need to plan how you are going to test the product. This will include defining the goals of the testing, as well as the features or functions you plan on testing.

4. Test case development

Once you have planned the testing, you will need to develop the test cases. A test case will be a set of instructions or procedures for how to exercise a feature or functionality of the product to verify if it’s working as expected.

5. Test execution

For each test case you’ve developed, you will need to execute it. This is where the tester will find out if the product is behaving as expected. Depending on the product and your role, you may need to either fix or report any bugs or issues you encounter.

6. Defect management

Once you’ve found bugs or issues in the product, you’ll need to track and manage them. This includes assigning bugs to developers, as well as updating them as they go through various states, such as verification, confirmation, and closure.

7. Reporting

In addition to the above, you will also need to report your findings and results to the customer, developer, or team responsible for the product you’re testing.

8. Process improvements

Even after you’ve finished testing one project, your testing skills and abilities can continue to improve if you find ways to improve the testing process itself. This can include things like introducing automation or changing the way you work as a team.

Overall, QA tester tasks are an important role in the software development process. QA testers are responsible for ensuring that the software meets all the requirements and works as expected. They also play a vital role in identifying and reporting any bugs or issues. QA testers need to have strong attention to detail and be able to work methodically. If you think you have what it takes to be a QA tester, don’t hesitate to apply for the role.

bookmark_borderQA testing definition

Posted on by BIanca

There are many people there who want a clear QA testing definition. If there is a distinction to be made between QA and testing. In this article, we will talk about QA testing definition and for a better understanding of the subject.

What is Quality Assurance?

Quality Assurance, or QA for short, is the process of ensuring that products meet certain standards of quality. QA testing is a key part of this process and involves putting products through a series of tests to check for things like functionality, durability, and usability.

QA teams work to identify and fix any issues that might arise during testing, to ensure that products meet the required standards before they reach consumers.

Quality assurance is an important part of the manufacturing process, as it helps to ensure that products meet the necessary standards of quality. QA testing is a vital process and helps to identify any potential issues with products before they reach consumers.

By working to fix these issues, QA teams truly render a service to consumers by ensuring that the product that reaches them is in the highest possible way.

What is Quality Assurance Testing?

You can use quality assurance testing as a process to ensure that a product or service meets the specified quality standards. An independent third party or an organization that is responsible for developing the product or service can perform quality assurance.

It is typically performed throughout the development process, and it may include various types of testing, such as functional testing, performance testing, and security testing.

What are the benefits of QA Testing?

There are many benefits of quality assurance testing, but the three most important benefits are:

  1. Improve the quality of your product

It assists you in detecting defects early and preventing them before you release a product or service.  This helps to improve the overall quality of your product and can save you money in the long run.

  1. It can help you find and fix defects before your customers do

Finding and fixing defects before your customers do will help improve customer satisfaction and loyalty, as well as reduce customer support costs.

  1. It will improve customer satisfaction

By providing a more reliable and high-quality product you can improve customer satisfaction. This can lead to a more improved brand.

What are the key components of QA testing?

There are four key components of quality assurance testing:

Planning
Control
Implementation
Monitoring

Planning is the process of identifying the goals and objectives of the testing process.

Control is the process of ensuring that the testing process is carried out according to the plan.

Implementation is the actual execution testing process.

Monitoring is the process of tracking the progress of the testing process and ensuring that it is on track.

What are the types of QA testing?

There are many different types of quality assurance testing, each with its specific purpose.

Some of the most common types of QA testing include:

  • Functional Testing

Assesses the basic functionality of the software to ensure that it is working as expected.

  • Performance Testing

Measures the speed and responsiveness of the software under various conditions.

  • Load Testing

Assesses how well the software can handle high volumes of traffic and data.

  • Regression Testing

Is performed after changes have been made to the software to ensure that no new bugs have been introduced.

  • Compatibility Testing

Assesses how well the software works with different operating systems, browsers, and devices.

So, in summary, QA testing is an important process that helps ensure the quality of a product or service. It can be conducted by an external company or by an internal team, and it should be based on a clear set of specifications. The aim of QA testing is to find and report defects so that they can be fixed before the product or service is released to the public.

bookmark_borderFeedback for QA testers

Posted on by BIanca
Feedback for QA testers

It is critical to provide feedback for QA testers during the process of software development. You can assist make sure that the software meets your requirements and is of high quality by giving feedback. When providing feedback to QA, keep the following points in mind:

  • Be sure to provide concise and clear feedback.
  • Give specific examples of what you liked and disliked.
  • Attempt to provide productive feedback that will assist the software improvement.
  • Be open to receiving feedback from QA.

What You Should Know About QA Feedback

To enhance the utilization of your QA solution, you must be aware of the types of feedback it provides. There are two types of feedback in a typical feedback system: question-based feedback and action-based feedback.

Question-based feedback refers to responses given by a company to particular questions. You could provide feedback on the questions raised during your evaluation of a test plan.

The feedback that refers to an agent’s actions to their actions is known as actions-based feedback.

It is important to identify who or what you are giving feedback to when giving feedback. As a consequence, you’ll have less time to process the feedback.

It is also critical to provide feedback compassionately and productively. It is preferable to provide constructive criticism to receive feedback that will be beneficial in the future.

How To Show Your Appreciation with Feedback for QA Testers?

There are several ways to express gratitude to a QA tester. One example of them would be quality guardians. Your software product would most likely be riddled with errors if they failed to pay attention to detail and dedicate themselves to bug tracking.

Another way to respect QA testers is to consider them your supporters. They are the ones who are constantly battling to improve your software and assist you in avoiding release tragedies.

Quality assurance staff are expected to be proud of their work. All work, no matter how minor, should be completed to the highest standard possible. To become a good leader, you must merge your skills with your motivation to know and give something that you are proud of.

The Significance of a Good Quality Assurance Team

QA teams are driven by a sense of accomplishment in their job and are expected to adhere to high-quality standards. They should be doing everything possible to make sure that every piece of work, regardless of size, is completed to a high standard.

Weekly or monthly meetings are great for keeping track of accomplishments and team improvement, as well as recognizing top performers and allocating projects or tasks premised on skills and/or interests.

How to Provide Feedback to a Quality Assurance Engineer

It can be difficult to provide feedback to a QA Engineer. On the one hand, you would like to be clear and specific so they can know your feedback and apply it to their task. However, you should not be too critical or negative, as this may dissuade them from striving to improve.

It is essential to share feedback, both positively and negatively, periodically to be constant. If you only receive the feedback in a team setting, you could perhaps request additional feedback.

Quality assurance is an excellent method for assessing how well a customer service department manages and controls an issue and offers service overall.

Avoid using text-based communication methods

Even though they may seem to be a much easier way to provide feedback, using text-based communication methods, can be deceptive. The employee may misinterpret your message, giving rise to more problems than fixes.

As a result, avoid using deceptive communication methods when providing feedback to your engineers. One-on-one communication is the wiser choice. If you have a remote team, you can encounter one-on-one using a videoconferencing tool like Google Hangouts, Zoom, or any favored software.

Why is it a better choice to use video communication than text-based communication?

  • It prevents miscommunication
  • When you encounter the employee face to face, you can construct a personal connection
  • You can identify how your message is being accepted by picking up on verbal and nonverbal cues such as body language.

Is essential to carefully plan your feedback

All fruitful pursuits are built on meticulous planning. You are doing planning if it is about starting a business, organizing a trip, or maybe throwing a surprise party

The same is true when providing feedback to your QA engineer. Admittedly, the employee will assume you to be prepared for the one-on-one meeting.

Here are a few preparations suggestions:

  • If you don’t have one-on-one meetings regularly, ask the engineer if there is any free time for a conversation. This will let the individual know that feedback is on its way. You are also giving the employee the option to accept or decline your invitation to speak.
  • Schedule a meeting.
  • Ascertain that you are in a quiet room or a location that allows you to have a concentrated conversation.
  • Make a list of what you want to say if you think it will help you.
  • Communicate with the engineer in a considerate, reasonable, and understanding manner. Strive to reach a common understanding and perspective on the issue, and communicate possible solutions.
  • Consider the engineer’s view of the situation. Perhaps you will discover a broken process. This will assist you in resolving the issue and, as a result, enhance the overall efficiency of your team.

Be precise, not vague

A more effective way to give effective feedback is to transform hazy sentences into more precise ones. Giving QA Engineers detailed feedback will assist them in determining which characteristics are suitable or inappropriate for good achievement.

When you provide detailed feedback, you are informing your employee what they are doing well and where they need to improve. In the long term, this can result in improved performance, as opposed to less detailed guidance that simply informs employees of their quality level.

Finish with a question

Plan to end your feedback with a question that invites conversation. This is when the most important part of the debate starts.

The discussion is no longer a monologue from this point forward, but rather a change for you and the QA Engineer to provide potential solutions to the issues.

How to describe a QA Engineer?

A QA Engineer’s mission is to identify and fix bugs in a good or service or program before it can be released, and he or she works with developers to make the necessary changes.

QA engineers usually enjoy the chance to learn more about a product’s features and technologies to boost its quality. Some people believe that quality assurance (QA) work is more varied and interesting than developer work. The majority of the time, the job is repetitive, particularly at the beginning.

Build Trust with Constructive Feedback for QA Testers

Constructive feedback promotes trust between groups or individuals by providing honest and precise feedback to assist the other person or party in improving. This feedback can be hard to give at times, but keep in mind that the aim is to assist the other person or group, not to harm them.

Feedback is among the most basic ways we can take and give constructive feedback. Asking for feedback from your staff and coworkers can assist you in establishing trust with them. You can recognize blind spots and areas that need improvement after obtaining thoughtful, honest feedback. You would almost definitely be needed to mention faults or deficiencies when providing feedback. It is critical to allow enough time to prepare to create helpful and compelling content.

Conclusion

Quality assurance testing is vital for the success of any software development project. QA testers play a crucial role in ensuring the quality of the software and their feedback is essential for the development team to improve the software. The tips in this article will help you to provide useful and constructive feedback to the QA testers team so that they can continue to improve the quality of the software.

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