bookmark_borderManual testing advantages and disadvantages

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_borderQA Engineer vs Test Engineer

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 and testing difference

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

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_borderFeedback for QA testers

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.

Read about “Ask for feedback as a QA engineer” too

bookmark_borderWhat is functional testing in QA

Every project creates a document listing functional or necessity specifications during the planning phase. It is a list of what the app/system/website is meant to do from the user’s point of view. In this article, we will talk about functional testing in QA, types, and how to perform one.

 

What is functional testing in QA?

Functional testing is a type of black-box testing that you can use to ensure that an application’s or system’s functionality is as intended.

You can perform it to ensure that an application’s functionality is complete.

There must be a standard that describes what is and is not proper behavior.

A functional or necessity specification specifies this. It is a document that specifies what a user can do so that he can establish the application’s or system’s compliance with it.

Functional Testing Types

You can use many functional testing categories depending on the situation.

Unit Testing

Unit testing is typically performed by a developer who writes various code units that may or may not be related to achieving specific functionality.

Typically, this involves writing unit tests that call the methods for each unit and confirm them when you carry out the necessary parameters and the return value is as anticipated.

Sanity Testing

Testing to make sure that all of the application’s/major systems and critical functionalities are working properly. This is usually done following a smoke test.

Smoke Testing

After each build release, you can perform testing to ensure the build’s stability. Build verification testing is another name for it.

Regression Testing

If you need to modify any component, module, or function, you must ensure that the entire system works properly after the changes. Regression testing is the process of testing the entire system after such adjustments.

Integration Testing

After integrating the modules, you must determine whether the combined modules function properly. This is integration testing. This type of testing requires fewer resources than unit testing.

Beta Testing

A small number of actual users or clients conduct it in a real-world user environment to ensure that the software is error-free and runs fine. You can make some modifications to improve the software after gathering constructive criticism and feedback from those users.

Usability testing

Usability testing is the process of determining how user-friendly an app is. It entails determining how functional or user-friendly the app is. It is determined whether or not any user can use your software without getting tangled.

Functional System Testing

System Testing

Is a type of testing that you can carry out on an entire system to ensure that it functions as anticipated after you incorporated all modules or elements.

End-to-end Testing

End-to-end testing refers to the functional testing of the entire software system. It refers to the process of testing the entire software system.

End-to-end tests require fewer resources than integration tests.

The process

This testing procedure consists of three major steps:

  • Create test data
  • Execute test cases
  • Comparing the actual and expected results

The involved steps

The following are the various stages required in this testing:

→Establish the functionality

The first step is to establish the functionality of the product that must you must test. It includes testing the basic functionality, error conditions, and messages, as well as usability testing, which determines if the product is user-friendly or not.

→Generate the input data

The next step is to generate the input data for the specifications to test the functionality.

→Determined result

The outcome of the functionality under test is eventually determined based on the requirement.

→Comparing the actual and expected results

You can compare actual output and desired outputs to establish the extent to which functionality is functioning as expected.

How to approach functional testing in QA

It is divided into four sections:

  1. Test summary
  2. Pre-requisites
  3. Test Steps and
  4. Expected results.

Trying to write every type of test is not only inconceivable but also time-consuming and costly.

Generally, we would want to find as many bugs as possible while avoiding any escapes from existing tests. As a result, the QA must employ optimization techniques and plan their approach to testing.

Functional Test Automation

Manual effort can be lowered, saved time, bug slippage prevented, and efficiency can be improved with automation.

However, it is impossible to automate everything. This testing can be automated, but the user must create test cases for the automation to operate. It’s critical to select the right test cases to automate, as well as a suitable tool.

The disadvantage of automating functional cases is that if the number of test cases is large and must be regressed repeatedly, the developer may have difficulty ready to commit changes to the code.

When doing defect escape analysis, the most common and persistent cause of escapes appears to be a lack of test coverage in a specific function.

Aspects for Automation

→Choose the appropriate Automation Tool

There are numerous tools available on the market; selecting an automation tool is a difficult challenge! You could, even so, create a list of specifications from which you can choose which automation tool to use.

Some of the best functional test tools are listed below:

  • Selenium
  • QTP
  • Junit
  • Loadrunner
  • SoapUI
  • TestComplete

→Select the appropriate test cases to automate

If you want to make the most of automation, you must be selective about the tests you choose to automate.

You can automate tests that must be run repeatedly, with different types of data, with errors, and so on.

→Automation Specialists

Each team member has a unique set of expertise, technical skills, interests, and bandwidth to support automation. Some people may be better at performing manual tests, while others may be familiar with scripting and automation tools.

In scenarios like this, it’s a good idea to conduct an audit of the entire team and devote some members solely to automation.

→Data-Driven Tests

Automated test cases require various sets of data must be well written to be reused.

As to the data source, generating well-structured automation data simplifies framework maintenance and allows established test scripts to be utilized to their maximum potential.

→Changes to the user interface must not break tests

The test cases you write with the chosen tool must be adaptable to potential Updates. As a result, it’s essential to recognize the tool’s shortcomings ahead of time and write test cases so that UI changes require only minor changes.

→Regular Testing

Once you’ve created a basic automation test bucket, plan on running it more frequently.

Advantages of functional testing in QA

This testing replicates or is a replica of the actual system, — in other words, it is a replica of the product in the live environment. Testing is centered on requirements based on customer utilization, such as system specifications, operating systems, browsers, and so on.

It makes sure that a high-quality product is delivered that fulfills the customer’s requirements and that the customer is pleased with the outcome.

It guarantees the delivery of a bug-free product with all functionalities functioning as expected by the customer.

Conclusion

Functional testing in QA is an essential testing process because it validates a product’s functionality, as this is the most essential part of any product or application.

bookmark_borderQA analyst vs QA tester – What are the differences?

When it comes to quality assurance in the software development process, there are two key roles: the QA analyst and the QA tester. In this article, we will talk about a QA analyst vs QA tester, what those two job title means, and their responsibilities and skills.

 

 


Both roles are essential to ensuring that the final product meets all quality standards.


QA analyst vs QA tester

So, what’s the difference between a QA analyst and a QA tester? A QA analyst is responsible for developing and implementing the quality assurance plan. This plan outline all the steps that you need to take to ensure that the software meets all quality standards.

The QA tester, on the other hand, is responsible for executing the tests that the QA analyst had designed.

Let’s separate them and look at their responsibilities and skills.

QA Analyst

A QA analyst is responsible for ensuring the quality of a software product or service. They may be involved in the development process, or they may be independent of the development team.

QA analysts typically create and execute test plans, track and report defects, and verify that fixes are properly implemented.

They may also participate in reviews of requirements, design, and code. In some cases, QA analysts may also be responsible for training and mentoring other members of the team.

QA Analyst Skills

Firstly, a QA analyst is more focused on the quality of the software itself. Secondly, a QA analyst is more involved in the development process, working closely with developers to ensure the quality of the software.

Finally, him/she is typically more experienced and qualified than a QA tester, as the role requires a deep understanding of quality assurance principles and practices.

QA Analyst Salary

As of July 26, 2022, the typical QA analyst salary in the USA is $63,230, with a usual range of $55,450 to $70,420. Salary ranges can vary considerably based on a wide range of factors, such as education, certifications, acquired skills, and the amount of time you have worked in your field.

QA Tester

A QA tester is someone responsible for testing the quality of a product before it is released to customers. This includes ensuring that the product meets all required specifications and standards and that it is free of any defects or errors.

A QA tester is responsible for carrying out quality assurance tests, as opposed to a QA analyst, who is responsible for developing and implementing quality assurance plans and procedures.

QA Tester Skills

As a QA tester, you need to have strong attention to detail and be able to spot even the smallest of errors.

Secondly, you need to be patient and able to methodically work through each test case. Thirdly, you need to be able to think outside the box and come up with creative solutions to problems. Finally, a QA tester needs to be able to communicate effectively with developers and other testers.

QA Tester Salary

As of, the ordinary Software QA Tester salary in the USA was $71,733, with a salary range of $64,149 to $78,840. Salary ranges can vary greatly based on a variety of factors, such as education, certifications, acquired skills, and the amount of time working in this field.

Conclusion

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the roles of a QA analyst and a QA tester can vary depending on the company and project.

However, in general, a QA analyst is responsible for more strategic tasks, such as planning and designing test cases, while a QA tester is responsible for more executional tasks, such as running test cases and reporting bugs.

bookmark_borderQA Testing Resources – Guide for the best QA testing resources

There are many QA testing resources available online to help software create better-quality products. However, it can be difficult to find the right resources for your specific needs. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of the best QA testing resources available. Whether you’re looking for tools, tutorials, or general information, these resources will help you get started with QA testing.

QA testing resources books

One of the best of the best books you need to check is “The art of Readable Code” by Dustin Boswell and Trevor Foucher.

This book does an excellent job of explaining the importance of readable code and how can it impact the overall quality of your software. In addition, the book provides plenty of tips and tricks for making your code more readable.

If you’re serious about improving your QA testing skills, then this is one book you need to read.

There are other great books out there on testing QA resources:

  • “The Art Of Software Testing” by Glenford J. Myers
  • “Effective Software Testing” by Elfriede Dustin
  • “Introduction to software testing” by Paul Ammann and Jeff Offutt

Each of these books provides great insights and tips on how to QA test effectively. They each cover different areas of testing, so it’s a good idea to have all of them accessible for reference.

QA testing resources online courses

There are many online courses available that can help people learn about QA testing. These courses can be a great resource for people who want to learn more about this topic.

They can help people learn about the different types of tests that are available, and how to use the.

What are the best online courses for QA testing resources?

There are a few key factors to consider when choosing an online course for QA testing.

First, the course should be comprehensive and cover all aspects of QA testing.

Second, the course should be taught by experienced professionals who are experts in the field.

Third, the course should be interactive and provide opportunities for hands-on learning.

Some of the best online courses for QA testing include the following:

  • QA Testing Fundamentals from Udemy
  • Learn QA Testing from TestLodge
  • QA Testing Training from QA Mentor

These courses all meet the criteria listed above and can help people learn more about QA testing. Those who have an interest in QA testing should be able to find a great online course that meets their needs.

Online courses can be a great resource for professionals who want to learn more about QA testing or improve their existing skills.

Websites

There are many QA testing resources websites available online. Some are better than others, and some are more comprehensive than others.

When choosing a QA testing resource website, it is important to consider the quality of the information, the ease of use, and the overall reputation of the website.

Google Testing Blog

The Google Testing Blog is a great resource for information on QA testing. They provide a top 10 list of QA testing resources websites that can be very helpful for those in the field.

The list includes websites that provide information on various aspects of QA testing, such as test automation, performance testing, and more.

This can be a great starting point for anyone looking to learn more about QA testing.

Software Testing Help

Software Testing Help is a community-driven website with a mission to spread the knowledge of software testing and help students, professionals, and anyone interested in software testing to learn and share their knowledge.

Quora

Quora is a great resource for QA testing. With over 10,000 questions and answers, it’s a wealth of information.

Check out Stack Overflow if you’re looking for quality QA testing information.

Stack Overflow

Stack Overflow is one of the best websites for QA testing resources. With its vast array of questions and answers, it’s a great place to start when looking for testing information. In addition, the community is very active and always willing to help with any questions you may have.

GeeksforGeeks

This website has everything you need to know about QA testing, including tutorials, articles, and forums. You can also find the job posting and get advice from other QA testers.

edureka!

edureka is an India-based online training and software development company. They provide high-quality learning solutions for professionals across the world in different technologies.

Their QA testing resources website is very helpful for beginners. The content is well-structured and easy to navigate.

Test bytes

This website is a great resource for QA testers, with a wealth of information on various testing tools and techniques.

It includes tutorials and articles on Boted, Java, JavaScript, Python, Ruby on Rails, Apache, Jenkins, JUnit, and more.

Club UAT

Club UAT is one of the top 10 QA testing resources websites. It is a website that is dedicated to helping software testers and developers improve their skills and knowledge.

This website provides a wealth of resources, including articles, tutorials, webinars, and more. Club UAT is a great resource for anyone who wants to improve their QA testing skills.

SQAforums

This website is a great resource for software quality assurance professionals, providing forums for discussion and collaboration, as well as a huge range of resources and information.

QA testing resources blogs

There are many QA testing resources blogs available online. Some of those are written by software testing experts, while others are written by software developers.

However, all of these blogs provide valuable information for those who are interested in learning more about QA testing.

Quality Assurance for the Everyman

This blog provides quality assurance tips and tricks for the everyman. The post is easy to follow and provides everyday tips you can use in your daily life.

Cameron Philipp-Edmonds

Is a quality assurance testing expert and has a great blog that covers a wide range of topics related to quality assurance testing. He covers everything from the basics of quality assurance testing to more advanced topics such as automation and continuous integration.

His blog is a great resource for anyone who wants to learn more about quality assurance testing.

The Testing Planet

This blog is a great resource for all things testing, with a focus on test automation.

Testing Excellence

This blog covers a wide range of testing topics and features articles from some of the top testing experts in the industry.

You will find in-depth tutorials and articles on multiple platforms (Linkedin, Twitter, and Facebook), which makes it easy to follow related documents.

Software Testing Help

It provides helpful tips and tutorials on a variety of software testing topics. You will find posts on mobile testing, cross-platform testing, software testing trends, bug reporting, and more.

QA testing resources tools

QA testing resources tools can be used to automate tests, manage test cases and test data, and report on test results.

Some of the most popular QA testing tools include:

  • Test management tools: These tools help with the creation, execution, and management of test cases. They can also be used on test results.
  • Test automation tools: These tools can be used to automate the execution of test cases. They can also be used to generate reports on test results.
  • Test data management tools: These tools can be used to automate the execution of test cases. They can also be used to generate reports on test results.

These tools can help you segment and store your test data, manage and version test data sets, and organize and centralize all of your test assets.

JUnit

JUnit is a popular open-source tool for writing and running Java unit tests. It is widely used in the Java development community and is a key part of the Eclipse IDE.

JUnit can be used to test both Classes and methods and provides several features to make writing and running tests easier.

Is an excellent tool for QA testing resources and tools. It is easy to use and provides a lot of features to make writing and running tests easier.

Additionally, JUnit is widely used in the Java development community, so there is a lot of support and documentation available.

Selenium

Selenium is a great tool for QA testing resources tools. It is open-source, so it is free to use, and it has a wide range of features that make it very versatile.

It can be used for both web and mobile applications, and it can be easily integrated with other tools and frameworks. Selenium is also very user-friendly, so it is easy to get started with.

SoapUI

SoapUI is a great QA testing resource and tool. It allows you to test web services and API’s easily and efficiently. SoapUI also has a wide range of features that make it a valuable resource for QA testers.

Some of these features include the ability to create and run test cases, the ability to create and run load tests, and the ability to create and run functional tests.

Conclusion

There are a lot of QA testing resources out there, and it can be difficult to know where to start.

Hopefully, this article has given you a good overview of some of the most popular resources.

Remember, the most important thing is to find the resources that work best for you and your team.

bookmark_borderQA automation testing services

There are many benefits of using QA automation testing services. They can help improve the quality of your software products, save time and money and increase efficiency. Automation testing can also help you find and fix potential software defects before they cause problems for your users.

What is a QA automation testing service?

A QA automation testing service is a company that provides a service to help test software products for quality purposes.

The services offered by a QA automation testing service can vary, but typically they will provide a platform on which to run automated tests. as well as support and advice on how to implement effective automated testing strategies.

By using a QA automation testing service, businesses can improve the quality of their software products and save time and money on manual testing.

What are the benefits of using QA automation testing services?

There are many benefits of using QA automation testing services. Here is a list of five of them:

1. Increased accuracy and efficiency

Automated testing can help to improve the accuracy of test results by eliminating human error. In addition, it can also help to improve the efficiency of the testing process by reducing the amount of time required to complete tests.

2. Improved test coverage

Automated testing can help to increase the coverage of tests, making it possible to test a wider range of scenarios and potential issues.

3. Reduced testing costs

Automated testing can help to reduce the overall cost of testing by eliminating the need for manual testing. In addition, it can also help to reduce the cost of re-testing by automating the re-test process.

4. Detection of issues earlier

It can help to detect defects earlier in the development process, which will reduce the number of issues that make it to your end users.

5. Integration with other testing tools

Those services can be easily integrated with other testing tools, such as bug tracking tools, load testing tools, and analysis tools.

This ability to integrate makes it possible to automatically submit the results of automation tests directly to your bug-tracking tool.

This automatic feedback loop can then automatically create and assign tasks to the testers, which reduces the need for manual intervention. It also ensures that the QA engineers are immediately notified of new bugs and the status of existing bugs.

What are the risks of QA automation testing services?

Although there are many benefits of using QA automation testing services, there are also some risks to consider – including:

1. High initial investment

Automation tools can have a high initial cost, making this a risky investment for some companies.

2. Risk of system downtime

If your system is running when you’re automating tests, you run the risk of causing a system outage. This is one of the most significant risks associated with QA automation testing services.

3. Difficult to define and detect errors

Although it’s possible to define what is expected in an automation test, it can be difficult to define the way a user would interact with your application.

This can make it difficult to correctly identify and diagnose errors.

4. Difficult to maintain

Like any other code, automation tests must be maintained to continue working correctly with your application’s new and updated features.

This can be a time-consuming task that requires considerable programming expertise.

5. Imitation of human testing

Although automation tests can imitate how a human would interact with an application, these tests aren’t a perfect replica. Human testing is still necessary to ensure the quality of the application.

How to choose a QA automation testing service

There are many factors to consider when choosing a QA automation testing service. The first is the size and scope of the project. If the project is large and complex, it may require a more comprehensive and expensive service.

If the project is smaller and less complex, a less expensive and less comprehensive service may suffice.

Another important factor to consider is the company’s experience with QA automation testing. If the company has extensive experience, it will likely be able to provide a more comprehensive and reliable service.

If the company is new to QA automation testing, it may not be able to provide as comprehensive or reliable a service.

Finally, it is important to consider the cost of the QA automation testing service. If the company’s service is too expensive for your budget, there may be a possibility that they are overpriced, or that you’re simply expecting too much from them.

It’s also possible that the company is offering quality services at a reasonable price. So consider all factors, and make an educated decision.

What are the different types of QA automation testing services?

There are many different types of QA automation testing services available. Some of the most popular include functional testing, regression testing, load testing, and performance testing.

Each of these services offers its unique benefits and can help to improve the quality of your software products.

Functional testing: this can help to ensure that your software functions correctly.

Regression testing: can help to identify any potential bugs or issues.

Load testing: can help to ensure that your software can handle high traffic levels.

Performance testing: can help to ensure that your software runs smoothly and efficiently.

QA-House QA automation testing services

QA-House provides quality assurance automation in the following categories of web, desktop, and mobile software:

  • Performance
  • Functionality
  • Security
  • Multi-platform operations
  • Integration

When you entrust your software to the QA-House team, we pursue a tried-and-true strategy


  1. Define the scope of automation
  2. Choosing a Tool
  3. Implementation of the Framework
  4. Setup of the environment
  5. Prepping the test data
  6. Creation of test scripts
  7. Analysis of test results
  8. Test automation and monitoring

Consultation on test automation

QA-House can help you turn your vision into a workable strategy.

How: Our team conducts interviews with your key stakeholders to define the automation context and requested transformation results. We also assess your current testing workflow to identify areas for automation.

What you will receive: We devise a set of techniques and systems that are best suited for testing automation in your specific situation and produce a roadmap of your QA automation route.

The results of QA-House test automation

Our expert-level test automation services not only assist enterprises in achieving their immediate objectives but also in achieving such broad operations and business goals.

  • Reduced time to market
  • Increased test coverage
  • Improved user experience
  • Improved QA efficiency
  • TCO of the software is lowered.
  • Enhanced testing workloads

Overall, QA automation testing services can provide a lot of benefits for your business. They can help improve the quality of your products, save you time and money, and increase your efficiency. However, it’s important to choose the right provider, so that you can get the most out of these services.

bookmark_borderQA testing types

The primary objectives of software testing are to remove bugs and improve various features of the software, such as performance, user experience, safety, and so on. A significant amount of testing can dramatically boost the overall quality of the software, resulting in high customer satisfaction. We created a list with different QA testing types and what they mean.

Let’s check them together!

QA testing types

There are two main categories of software testing: functional testing and non-functional testing.

Besides those two, there is another type of general testing named maintenance testing.

1. Functional Testing

Functional testing is the process of testing a software application’s functional properties.

When conducting functional tests, you must test every feature. You must determine whether or not you are getting the result you wanted.

Various types of functional testing:

  • Integration testing
  • End-to-end testing
  • Smoke testing
  • Unit testing
  • Sanity testing
  • Black box testing
  • White box testing
  • Interface testing
  • Acceptance testing

You can use manual and automation tools to conduct functional tests. Manual testing is simple for this type of testing, but you should use tools too when needed.

2. Non-functional Testing

Non-functional testing is the testing of an application’s non-functional elements such as reliability, usability, security, performance, and others.

You can carry these tests out following the functional tests.

It can greatly enhance the quality of your software. Functional tests also improve quality, but non-functional tests allow you to strengthen your software even further.

It enables you to fine-tune the software. This type of testing is not concerned with whether or not the software works. Instead, it concerns how well the software run and a variety of other factors.

This type of testing is rarely run manually. To perform such tests manually is difficult. As a result, these tests are typically carried out using tools.

Various types of non-functional testing:

  • Security testing
  • Load testing
  • Failover testing
  • Performance testing
  • Usability testing
  • Scalability testing
  • Compatibility testing
  • Stress testing
  • Maintainability testing
  • Volume testing
  • Reliability testing
  • Disaster testing
  • Localization testing
  • Internationalization testing
  • Endurance testing
  • Compliance testing
  • Efficiency testing

Various QA Testing Types

We will talk about the most common types of software testing.

Unit testing

Unit testing is the process of testing every component or module of your software project. You need programming knowledge to carry out this type of testing. Thus, only programmers, not testers, perform these types of tests.

Integration testing

After integrating the modules, you must determine whether the combined modules function properly. This is referred to as integration testing. This type of testing requires fewer resources than unit testing,

End-to-end testing

End-to-end testing refers to the functional testing of the entire software system. It refers to the process of testing the entire software system.

End-to-end tests require fewer resources than integration tests.

Use Interface testing

You can test the user interface of an application during user interface testing. The purpose of UI tests is to ensure that the user interfaces have been developed by the specifications document.

Accessibility testing

Accessibility testing determines whether or not your software is usable by people with disabilities.

For these tests, you must determine whether disabled people, such as those who are deaf, colorblind, or blind, could use your application.

Alpha testing

Alpha testing is a type of testing that looks for all problems and errors in the software as a whole.

You can carry this type of test at the end of the app development process, before launching the product or delivering it to the customer.

You perform it to make sure that the user/customer receives an error-free software application.

Alpha testing comes before beta testing, so after conducting alpha testing, you must conduct beta testing.

This kind of testing is not carried out in the real world. Instead, you perform this type of testing by simulating a real-world environment in a virtual one.

Beta testing

You perform beta testing after the alpha testing. Before you release the product, you have to subject it to beta testing.

A small number of actual users or clients conduct it in a real-world user environment to ensure that the software is error-free and runs fine. You can make some modifications to improve the software after gathering constructive criticism and feedback from those users.

Ad-hoc testing

Ad-hoc testing, as the name implies, is testing that you do on the fly, without the use of systems, plans, documentation, or test cases.

This kind of testing, unlike all others, is not performed systematically.

Anyone working on the project can perform this type of informal testing.

Compatibility testing

Compatibility testing entails determining the software’s compatibility with the various operating systems. Such as network environments, web browsers, operating systems, hardware, and so forth.

It determines if the developed software application works properly in various configurations.

Backward compatibility testing

Backward compatibility testing is used to determine whether a brand-new or updated variant of an application is compatible with the prior versions of the environments on which it runs.

Some applications are occasionally updated to complement the guidelines and style of a newer, more modern context. In that case, backward compatibility must be supported.

Browser compatibility testing

Browser compatibility testing, as the name implies, examines a web application for browser compatibility. It is specifically tested to see if the web app can be accessed easily from all types of major web browsers.

Performance testing

Performance tests are performed to determine whether or not the software performs well. There are performance testing tools that can analyze your app’s performance and show you where it is failing. You can improve the performance of your software application by addressing these problems.

Load testing

Load testing is a type of performance testing that determines how much load a system can withstand before its software performance degrades. We can determine a system’s load-bearing capacity by operating load tests.

Recovery testing

Recovery testing entails determining whether or not the application can restore from crashes and how efficiently it recovers. In this type of test, testers look at how efficiently the software can return to its normal course of execution. Crashes can occur at any time. Crashes can occur even if your software is of excellent quality. You never know when they will occur and irritate the users.

Regression testing

If you need to modify any component, module, or function, you must ensure that the entire system works properly after the changes. Regression testing is the process of testing the entire system after such adjustments.

Agile testing

Agile testing is a type of testing that is conducted by the QA team and follows the rules of agile methodology. This type of testing is conducted from the perspective of actual customers.

API testing

API testing, like unit testing, is a type of code-level testing. The primary distinction between those two is that unit testing is managed by the development team, whilst API testing is managed by the quality assurance team.

Black box testing

Black box testing is a testing technique used by a company’s QA team that includes checking the application’s capabilities without having any technical understanding of the application, such as understanding of the code’s logic, how the code works, and knowledge of the internal structure, and so on.

White box testing

White box testing, which is carried out by the development team, is a method of testing that necessitates a deep understanding of the application’s code. It necessitates a thorough understanding of the app’s internal logic.

Security testing

Security tests are carried out to guarantee the safety of your application and to prevent security breaches. Experts perform these tests to determine how secure your software is from threats and to identify security flaws so that the app’s security can be boosted.

Usability testing

Usability testing is the process of determining how user-friendly an app is. It entails determining how functional or user-friendly the app is. It is determined whether or not any user can use your software without getting tangled.

Scalability testing

Scalability testing determines whether or not the software is scalable. In other sayings, it determines whether your app behaves well when the number of users, data volume, or transactions rises significantly.

A non-scalable software application can result in significant business losses.

Reliability testing

Reliability testing is a type of software testing that determines whether or not the software is reliable. In other sayings, it determines whether the software is error-free and reliable.

For example, if a user’s critical data stored in the software’s database is unexpectedly deleted within a few months due to a bug in the code, we can conclude that the software is untrustworthy.

Acceptance testing

Acceptance testing (also known as User Acceptance Testing) will be performed by the client who will buy your software to determine if the software can be accepted or not by determining whether your system satisfies all of the client’s preferences and requirements.

Conclusion

When it comes to QA testing types, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. The best approach is to select the most appropriate techniques for the particular product, project, and business context. With that said, I hope this overview of QA testing has given you a better understanding of the different types of testing and when they should be used.

bookmark_borderQA tester skills

The job of a QA tester is important in the software development process. QA testers are responsible for finding and reporting bugs in software.  At QA-House, we prepared a list of the most common QA tester skills and why they are important.

QA tester skills

1. Analytical skills

One of the most important skills is analytical skills. QA testers need to be able to analyze a problem and find the root cause. They also need to be able to analyze a problem and find the root cause. They also need to be able to understand complex systems and how they work together.

Without strong analytical skills, a QA tester will not be able to effectively find and fix bugs.

2. Communication skills

As a QA tester, communication skills are paramount. You need to be able to communicate clearly and concisely with your team to ensure that everyone is on the same page.

Additionally, you need to be able to listen carefully to instructions and feedback to make the most of your testing. Without strong communication skills, it will be difficult to effectively carry out your role as a QA tester.

3. Computer skills

It is important to have strong computer skills as a QA tester. You need to have the ability to use a computer for basic tasks such as word processing, email, and internet browsing.

4. Detailed-oriented

To be a successful QA tester, it is important to be detail-oriented. You need to pay attention to detail to catch even the smallest of errors.

5. Observation skills

Observation skills are critical for any QA tester. They need to be able to spot errors and potential problems in the software under test, and then report them to the development team.

There are different aspects to the observation skills, and different testers will have different strengths. However, there are some key skills that all QA testers should strive to develop:

  1. Pay attention to the detail: This is perhaps the most important skill for a QA tester. They need to be able to pick up on even the smallest of errors or potential problems.
  2. Be methodical: A QA tester needs to be able to approach testing in a systematic, organized way.

6. Organizational skills

Organizational skills are key for any QA tester. Without the ability to organize and manage their work, it will be very difficult to succeed in this field. The are a few organizational skills that every QA tester needs:

  • The capability to prioritize and run multiple tasks at the same time
  • Outstanding oral and written communication abilities
  • The ability to create and maintain detailed documentation
  • The capacity to work independently as well as cooperatively
  • The ability to stay calm under pressure and meet deadlines
  • Troubleshooting and problem-solving abilities

7. Persistence

Persistence is important because it takes a lot of time and effort to find software bugs. QA testers need to be able to keep looking for bugs even when they haven’t found any in a while. They also need to be able to keep track of bugs that have been found and make sure they are fixed.

8. Quick learner

It is important to be a quick learner to keep up with the constantly changing software. You need to have the ability to learn new things quickly and to adapt to change.

9. Resourcefulness

As a QA tester, resourcefulness is key. You need to be able to find and use the right tools for the job and be able to quickly adapt to new situations.

10. The management skills

Time management skills are essential for any QA tester. QA testers need to be able to prioritize their time and resources to effectively test software. They also need to be able to track their progress and identify areas where they need to improve.

There are a few key time management skills that every QA tester needs.

First, they need to be able to prioritize their time and resources. Second, they need to be able to track their progress. And third, they need to be able to identify areas where they need to improve.

Conclusion

As a QA tester, you need to have a combination of analytical, communication, computer, and detail-oriented skills. You need to be able to analyze a problem and come up with a solution. You also need to be able to communicate effectively with other members of the team.

Additionally, you need to be proficient with computers and have a keen eye for detail.

bookmark_borderQA testing with a remote team

Remote work is becoming more common than ever. Even as many businesses consider returning employees to the workplace, many others are looking to expand their use of remote work and its advantages. In this article, we will highlight what you need to do when you perform QA testing with a remote team.

For testers who want to see other team members in person for daily standups, quick questions, or even just a different perspective, working remotely can be a big change.

But, with a bit of preparation, and the right processes, distributed teams can be just as effective as in-person teams.

QA testing with a remote team

Have regular meetings

The daily stand-up meeting is an opportunity for a cross-functional team to discuss their plan for the day.

Here are some ideas for topics to discuss during your daily huddle:

Assignments for test

Those are useful when a team wants to both coordinate their testing activities as a group and also address cross-team dependencies and responsibilities.

In which environments are certain builds and features useable?

Developers are responsible for creating code in small chunks, or batches. But when there are so many elements to test, and in the unforgiving world of continuous deployments, these questions might go unnoticed.

For testers, it’s equally important. Because most of them aren’t informed about which features are available to test, they may miss pieces that require their attention.

Documentation

Make sure that the team has received clear communication about the demands, test charters and situations, and any related information. Everyone needs to understand where to find what they require.

Timelines and release preparedness

Let managers know about any potential risks to a smooth software delivery lifecycle. Let them know about roadblocks or process gaps that need addressing.

Upcoming work

Prepare the work for upcoming features and include them in the plan in advance.

Keep living documents

A successful remote tests team needs clear, well-maintained documentation. When in doubt, treat all relevant information like your top-priority task. Everything that’s not immediately obvious or is rarely used should be documented and passed on to other team members.

Where it’s safe to do so, a secure database and file storage can be used to store information. This can either be in classic SQL databases, or on more inaccessible forms of data storage such as document-based systems.

Your test environment is constantly evolving, which means that sometimes your team needs to update documentation for the exact details they need.

Whether it’s instructions for VPN access, links to QA builds for mobile apps, or relevant instructions for requesting access to staging equipment, your living document should be tailored around the needs of your team.

Any special information required to complete tests should be saved in a convenient location like TestRail.

Keep your network informed

The team must agree on the frequency of updates. The frequency of updates should be driven by the urgency of the project, with more frequent updates being a good idea for projects on tighter deadlines.

When in doubt, err in favor of over-communicating as you get started. You can always sell back to schedule additional (and less frequent) meetings once you get a feel for how much communication is helpful for the team.

A great communication practice to follow when starting is to use a pre-decided communication style. Start with a scheduled meeting for the team at the beginning of each week to define priorities and cross-off completed tasks. Use this as a time for your team to openly communicate their concerns.

Posting status updates should be:

  • Are any issues preventing us from moving forward?
  • A recap of the most important findings
  • A review of what was completed
  • A preview of what is coming up next

If the team is using a good test case management tool, there may be less need for updated, detailed, and specific information.

Define the bug-reporting and triage process

Everyone on the team should understand how to log an issue. This includes following a specific workflow for documenting each issue. This will ensure consistency and provide a record of how each issue is discovered and resolved.

To ensure that this isn’t repetition, teams that are accustomed to being able to work closely and remark on problems as they happen should each develop a routine of looking for ongoing problems.

Regarding the components of the bug report, a strategy for how problems are evaluated and delegated to the development team should be in place. Typically, someone from the team should perform an initial evaluation of the ticket to confirm its primacy. This avoids conflicting information and the submission of duplicate bug reports.

Figure out who is going to take the on-call

Besides handling everyday tasks, the remote team also has to spend their time on little things like which employees are working on which release and who get calls when things go wrong.

Name the common scenarios for a release, as well as the test steps for each. A checklist of these test scenarios will be helpful and make both you and the testers more effective.

While we work hard to ensure that our products are reliable and bug-free, we also need to plan for failures. Having a robust team conduct list is crucial, and immediately notifying your team of an incident will help ensure goals are met quickly. Each situation is different, so each contact plan needs to reflect those differences.

Focus on communicating, writing, and planning

The needs of QA testing with a remote test team rely on a good alignment of proactive and transparent communication across the team. When documentation can be effectively managed, it helps ensure that all team members are accessing the information they need to fulfill their duties.

 

In conclusion, QA testing with a remote team can be a great way to get things done. But it’s important to remember that some challenges come along with it.

Make sure you’re prepared for those challenges by doing your research, communicating well, and setting clear expectations. With a little bit of planning, you can set your team up for success.