In the ever-evolving landscape of technology, Artificial Intelligence (AI) stands out as the next frontier, promising transformative advancements in various domains. From intelligent automation to predictive analytics, AI has the potential to reshape the way we live and work. Harnessing the power of AI not only opens doors to innovation but also presents the need for meticulous testing to ensure its reliability and effectiveness.&nbsp;



In this blog, we&#8217;ll delve into the world of testing AI, exploring the challenges, strategies, and best practices to ensure the seamless integration and optimal performance of AI-powered systems. Embracing AI is not just a technological leap; it&#8217;s a journey that demands a robust testing framework to unlock its full potential. In this blog, you will learn all about the strategies and best practices of testing AI.



<div id="toc_container" class="no_bullets">Table Of Contents<ul class="toc_list"><ul><li><a href="#Understanding_the_AI_Landscape">0.1 Understanding the AI Landscape</a></li><li><a href="#Strategies_for_Testing_AI">0.2 Strategies for Testing AI</a></li><li><a href="#Best_Practices_for_AI_Testing">0.3 Best Practices for AI Testing</a></li></ul></li><li><a href="#HOW_to_test_AI">1 HOW to test AI?</a></li><li><a href="#TIPS_for_testing">2 TIPS for testing</a></li><li><a href="#ETAL">3 ET;AL</a></li></ul></div>
<h3 id="h-understanding-the-ai-landscape">Understanding the AI Landscape</h3>



The Rise of AI



Artificial Intelligence has emerged as a driving force behind numerous technological advancements. From machine learning algorithms to natural language processing, AI systems are becoming integral to applications ranging from healthcare to finance and beyond. As organizations increasingly incorporate AI into their products and services, the importance of rigorous testing cannot be overstated.



Challenges in Testing AI



Testing AI systems poses unique challenges compared to traditional software testing. One major challenge is the complexity of AI algorithms, which often involve intricate neural networks and deep learning models. Ensuring the accuracy, reliability, and ethical considerations of these systems requires a specialized approach that goes beyond conventional testing methodologies.



<h3 id="h-strategies-for-testing-ai">Strategies for Testing AI</h3>



Data Quality and Bias Testing:



AI models heavily depend on the quality and diversity of training data. Testing must include checks for biased data and the potential reinforcement of societal prejudices. A comprehensive strategy involves identifying and rectifying bias in training datasets to ensure fair and ethical AI.



Performance Testing:



The performance of an AI system is crucial for its effectiveness. Performance testing involves evaluating how well the system handles varying workloads, data volumes, and concurrent users. This ensures optimal responsiveness and resource utilization.



Explainability and Transparency Testing:



AI decisions can sometimes seem like a &#8220;black box,&#8221; making it challenging to understand the reasoning behind specific outcomes. Testing for explainability and transparency involves validating that AI models can provide comprehensible explanations for their decisions, crucial for regulatory compliance and user trust.



Security Testing:



AI systems are susceptible to adversarial attacks. Security testing is essential to identify and address vulnerabilities that could compromise the confidentiality and integrity of the AI model, ensuring robust protection against potential threats.



As per the above strategies we should not forget that AI testing will also follow something we all are aware of which is the testing lifecycle and this is vital because it will mean that there is a process to follow just like testers follow in their day to day testing.&nbsp;



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter"><img src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/_t1eDvF60fuB7dOTvgTSuhp5IGh_H9IYGBgB3E6OgHUSWX-dVAJ6KKkm2mWhv3KYdThLE1tRAC0zWMMQVMFpy9B8nSEGE2DCSlldd5sqCFdt6GAOcuMlfObbgGpozDOGnTR2Ib8GkHkNc7pYNF1YGEw" alt="Software testing lifecycle" /></figure></div>



<a href="https://katalon.com/resources-center/blog/ai-testing"></a>



<h3 id="h-best-practices-for-ai-testing">Best Practices for AI Testing</h3>



Comprehensive Test Coverage:



Encompass various testing types, including unit testing, integration testing, and end-to-end testing, to provide comprehensive coverage. This ensures that every aspect of the AI system, from individual components to the integrated solution, is thoroughly tested.



<a href="https://website.testsigma.com/continuous-testing" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Continuous Testing</a>:



Implement continuous testing practices to integrate testing seamlessly into the AI development pipeline. This enables quick feedback on changes, accelerates the development lifecycle, and enhances the overall quality of the AI system.



Collaboration Across Teams:



Promote collaboration between data scientists, developers, and testers. Effective communication ensures a shared understanding of requirements, objectives, and potential challenges, fostering a collaborative testing environment.



Adopting AI in Test Automation:



Leverage AI in test automation to enhance efficiency and accuracy. <a href="https://website.testsigma.com/tools/ai-testing-tools/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">AI testing tools</a> can intelligently identify test scenarios, predict potential issues, and autonomously execute repetitive testing tasks, allowing testers to focus on more complex aspects.



Apart from the above there are more best practises such as :



<ul><li>Clearly define the objectives, scope, and success criteria of your AI testing efforts. Determine the specific aspects of the AI system to be tested, such as accuracy, performance, robustness, and fairness.</li><li>Ensure high-quality training data is used to train the AI models. The training data should be representative, diverse, and cover various scenarios to promote accurate and unbiased learning.</li><li>Establish baseline metrics or results to compare the AI system&#8217;s performance against known benchmarks.</li><li>Leverage <a href="https://website.testsigma.com/data-driven-testing" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">data-driven testing</a> to achieve higher efficiency. AI-powered software testing tools are also helpful these days. If you decide to go with tools that support such testing, there are many popular names out there that support data-driven testing in many popular data formats to help you test AI-based systems better. </li></ul>



<h2 id="h-how-to-test-ai">HOW to test AI?</h2>



Even Though we are hearing all about the rise of AI and Generative AI, one thing to not forget is that AI is helping us all test better and save testers a lot of time, however we need to factor in extra time for testing manually too as exploratory testing has shown many benefits as It helps review the quality of a product from a user perspective. Furthermore, AI cannot tell us about the look and feel of a product, so we cannot fully rely on AI.&nbsp;



Testing for AI systems comes with some challenges, and that means there is a need for some special techniques:&nbsp;



<ul><li>The AI-based system test results can be Stochastic which means they generate different results for the same parameters&nbsp;</li><li>Stochastic results don&#8217;t mean the results are wrong, it means that we need to verify more details</li><li>Also there can be human bias when training the model/data which needs to be eliminated during AI testing</li><li>AI performs best when given advanced input models. If the inputs are not of high quality, the issues become more complicated, requiring a significant amount of time and effort to address.</li><li>AI is an intricate system, and even small defects are magnified significantly,also its not necessary that all results that don&#8217;t match are an anomaly. This problem becomes more challenging to resolve as well. However, with the help of the developers testers and developers can both crack the issue and find the solution. I have experienced this in the past with data science models and it can be daunting, but what is magic is “Pairing” when we pair with the developers who build the models, we can not only learn from them the intricacies but also test better.</li></ul>



<h2 id="h-tips-for-testing">TIPS for testing</h2>



<ol><li>Check the input data and verify the data set used for the model</li><li>Check the SHAPE of your data, testing the outputs will explain if the values are of the right type and the data columns are matching</li><li>Have some bounds around averages Set some target result thresholds 3-5%-</li><li>Make sure no data dropped, no duplicates</li><li>Testing different parameters and trying to see the difference in results exploration of a model</li><li>As the model can provide random results each time you run &#8211; brace the uncertainty, try and understand if it&#8217;s still OK or a complete anomaly </li><li><a href="https://website.testsigma.com/blog/exploratory-testing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Exploratory test </a>the model(s), and it should help understand the system better and you </li></ol>



<h2 id="h-et-al">ET;AL</h2>



As AI continues to revolutionize industries, the role of testing becomes increasingly vital. By implementing robust testing strategies and embracing best practices, organizations can unleash the full potential of AI while ensuring its reliability, security, and ethical use. The journey into the era of AI is an exciting one, and with meticulous testing, we can navigate this frontier with confidence, unlocking unprecedented opportunities for innovation and advancement. Embrace the power of AI, test diligently, and pave the way for a future where intelligent systems redefine what&#8217;s possible.

Why Test Artificial Intelligence (AI)?

In the ever-evolving landscape of software development, the role of testing has become increasingly crucial. Skills are the most important thing any role can be complemented with. A skill is vital and can help one reach the objectives and goals in their career. For a tester in specific, all skills learnt from day one can help reach their aims as well as carry it with them in every role they decide to switch to.&nbsp;



A tester’s role is beautiful, as it allows one to either be technical, be a tester with exceptional business acumen, or have both. A tester can paint their own canvas with the skill set they carry with them. No skill will be outdated as long as one keeps up with the new trends. To excel in this field, one must possess a comprehensive set of testing skills. In this blog post, we will explore the essential skills that make a proficient tester.



“The future belongs to those who learn more skills and combine them in creative ways” Robert Greene. A software tester is full of skills and that&#8217;s what makes them stand out!



<div id="toc_container" class="no_bullets">Table Of Contents<ul class="toc_list"><li><a href="#What_skills_should_a_tester_carry_with_themselves">1 What skills should a tester carry with themselves?</a></li><li><a href="#Interviews_and_new_jobs">2 Interviews and new jobs</a></li><li><a href="#Conclusion">3 Conclusion</a></li></ul></div>
<h2 id="h-what-skills-should-a-tester-carry-with-themselves">What skills should a tester carry with themselves?</h2>



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter"><img src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/S5GkjQW8N-As4V1C59KUJLgwOlRdWWEqPQyHeZMrkWAz7nvvunhoMxoL6juT9849kYxqZHzWxw0PxK-RmsL6wthbm7Ox4eM7StKk4WrZSD0lVfYwmrCI-Qmo8yzvlDT0OD0h6f2ukdq4nmrlneo6h7I" alt="Software testing skills" /></figure></div>



Skills are very important for everyone, however it&#8217;s important to know there are two types of skills a tester can focus on; Soft Skills and technical skills. Soft skills are really useful not just to a tester but to all tech roles as these are needed when convincing a team, bringing in change to a team, interviewing, being interviewed, or even presenting an idea to your team, etc. Let&#8217;s have a deep dive into what are the vital skills for a tester.



Analytical and Critical Thinking:



<ul><li>Successful testers possess strong analytical and <a href="https://www.betterup.com/blog/critical-thinking-skills" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">critical thinking skills</a>. They are adept at breaking down complex systems into smaller, manageable components, identifying potential risks, and evaluating the impact of different scenarios on the software.</li></ul>



Attention to Detail:



<ul><li>The devil is in the details, especially in the world of software testing. Testers need a keen eye for detail to catch even the smallest defects that could potentially disrupt the user experience. Thoroughness in reviewing requirements, test cases, and test results is crucial.</li></ul>



Effective Communication:



<ul><li>Clear and concise communication is essential for testers to convey their findings to developers, project managers, and other stakeholders. Whether documenting test cases, reporting bugs, or participating in team discussions, effective communication fosters collaboration and ensures everyone is on the same page.</li></ul>



Technical Proficiency:



<ul><li>Testing is a technical discipline, and testers should have a solid understanding of the technologies they are working with. This includes knowledge of programming languages, database systems, and the ability to work with various testing tools and frameworks.</li></ul>



Test Planning and Documentation:



<ul><li>Creating a robust test plan is a cornerstone of successful testing. Testers should be skilled in developing comprehensive test plans that cover all aspects of the software. Additionally, the ability to create detailed and well-organized <a href="https://website.testsigma.com/blog/test-documentation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">test documentation</a> is vital for maintaining a traceable record of testing activities.</li></ul>



<a href="https://website.testsigma.com/automated-testing" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Automation Testing</a>:



<ul><li>As software development cycles become shorter and more iterative, automation testing has become a key skill for testers. Proficiency in using automation testing tools not only accelerates the testing process but also enhances the efficiency and reliability of test executions.</li></ul>



 <button class="btn bg-primary cta-btn" style="margin: auto"><a href="https://website.testsigma.com/signup" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color:#fff">Automate your end-to-end tests for web, mobile, desktop applications and APIs, 5x faster, with Testsigma</a></button> 



Adaptability:



<ul><li>The software development landscape is dynamic, with constant changes in technologies and methodologies. Testers must be adaptable and ready to embrace new tools, methodologies, and processes to keep up with the evolving industry trends.</li></ul>



<a href="https://website.testsigma.com/regression-testing" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Regression Testing</a>:



<ul><li>Testers need to be proficient in regression testing, ensuring that new features or changes do not negatively impact existing functionalities. This skill is essential for maintaining the overall stability and reliability of the software.</li></ul>



<a href="https://website.testsigma.com/blog/performance-testing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Performance Testing</a>:



<ul><li>Understanding how a software application performs under different conditions is crucial. Testers should be skilled in performance testing to assess factors such as responsiveness, scalability, and stability under varying loads.</li></ul>



Security Testing:



<ul><li>With the increasing number of cyber threats, security testing has become a critical aspect of software testing. Testers need to be aware of common security vulnerabilities and be able to identify and mitigate potential risks.</li></ul>



<h2 id="h-interviews-and-new-jobs">Interviews and new jobs</h2>



Testers will keep evolving their skills and their experiences if and when they find interesting offers in the market. However, sometimes, job specifications and interviewers look for specific skills. This does not mean that one should not apply for such role; one can apply and still get selected. It is not always about the certifications and professional boards you are connected to, but about how one is as a tester and how one can bring fresh ideas to the table, yet learn from the new company, too. Therefore, the message here is, that do not feel low when specifications mention specific skills; go ahead and make the most of it.



<h2 id="h-conclusion">Conclusion</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/3nTKBdsHGiZ5GC1it5jrFmVeHYurylmoWMR_sxvAfsxYpYyEU2sns2HY_6Vgla1p36IMGt1MPL5hxrxNRW-bsSJAdxi0Dj4a7si9PQQT94TsYiAlr_CDe-BSrFuuZRFOamWjKIHVTNQVqtbipWHpKpE" alt="art of testing" /></figure>



Mastering the art of testing requires a combination of technical expertise, analytical thinking, and effective communication. As software continues to advance, the role of testers will remain pivotal in ensuring the delivery of high-quality, reliable products. Remember, there is no perfect tester or a specific skill that makes one perfect. It is all about exploring and learning throughout a journey.&nbsp; By honing these essential testing skills, testing professionals can contribute significantly to the success of software development projects and the satisfaction of end-users.

Software Testing Skills Every Software Tester Must Have

Working in an ever-growing industry of technology one cannot stay up to date with every single technology, application or coding skills at all times. Have you ever thought that you are not great at a certain task, or confused on how to complete your work, or have asked way too many questions to another colleague on how to complete your work? This is something we can all relate to, and this is the famous word you hear &#8211; theimposter syndrome.&nbsp;



<a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK585058/#:~:text=Imposter%20syndrome%20(IS)%20is%20a,accomplishments%20among%20high%2Dachieving%20individuals." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Imposter syndrome</a> is something that is very likely to kick in in various stages of your career for various different reasons too. “Imposter syndrome (IS) is a behavioral health phenomenon described as self-doubt of intellect, skills, or accomplishments among high-achieving individuals”



<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/overcoming-imposter-syndrome-tech-industry-felicia-boyd/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Harvard Business Review</a> defines ” imposter syndrome as a feeling of inadequacy and self-doubt that can affect anyone regardless of their level of success or skill. It can manifest as a fear of being exposed as a fraud, a belief that success is due to luck, or a sense of not belonging to a particular field. People with imposter syndrome tend to discount their abilities, downplay their accomplishments, and overemphasize their mistakes.”



It becomes very difficult at times to manage time between learning and working within your teams &#8211; it is a situation where it is up to you how you overcome it, or work with it. The big question that arises here is how happy are you in your current role and how confident are you ? Do not worry at all if you are reading this and thinking you are going through it, there are ways to work around it, and this blog will help you conquer it.&nbsp;



<div id="toc_container" class="no_bullets">Table Of Contents<ul class="toc_list"><li><a href="#Am_I_going_through_an_imposter_syndrome_patch">1 Am I going through an imposter syndrome patch?</a></li><li><a href="#Why_does_this_happen">2 Why does this happen?</a></li><li><a href="#Perfectionism_Pleasing_procrastination_and_Paralysis">3 Perfectionism, Pleasing, procrastination, and Paralysis</a></li><li><a href="#How_to_work_with_Imposter_Syndrome">4 How to work with Imposter Syndrome?</a></li><li><a href="#A_software_testers_experiencenbsp">5 A software tester’s experience&nbsp;</a></li><li><a href="#Conclusion">6 Conclusion</a></li></ul></div>
<h2 id="h-am-i-going-through-an-imposter-syndrome-patch">Am I going through an imposter syndrome patch?</h2>



Symptoms of Imposter Syndrome:



<ol><li>Are you an individual who has a fear of being discovered?</li><li>Self-doubting your skills and questioning being part of a team&nbsp;</li><li>Stress related to work where an employee thinks that they are expected to work more than needed.&nbsp;</li><li>Some people might judge themselves and don&#8217;t come to terms that they did actually put in the effort to achieve gold.&nbsp;</li><li>One going through Depression, frustration, anxiety, lack of self-confidence, and a few to name</li><li>Do I feel that the opportunities I’ve had so far are due to luck?</li><li>When I have new challenges, do I doubt my ability to meet them?</li><li>Am I unmotivated about new opportunities?</li><li>Do I think things that have gone well in the past are going to go wrong now?</li><li>Do I worry that people will find out that I an a fraud?</li><li>Do I compare myself to other people?</li><li>Am I not satisfied with the things I do?</li><li>Do I think that I don’t deserve the success that I’ve had?</li></ol>



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter is-resized"><img loading="lazy" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/E8CMLm5tkaAWUVfFWnA76DfxYziRem8TZVu4AtpCu7ScyRseLcn49Efm9SE8H3v8SWDUXI1oQ5i5Izgd-8a40wqJayWw0FAQbMn7pXTzAaAK86PUaFaz_R6UZBk4tEXKdgZJd9mHe8yUSYm3KJvogr4" alt="imposter syndrome patch" width="600" height="338" /></figure></div>



<h2 id="h-why-does-this-happen">Why does this happen?</h2>



There are several reasons, as explained in the syndromes above on why Imposter syndrome affects individuals, however some other examples within an organization that can cause this include the following;



<ul><li>Transition/change &#8211; A new role, change of role, or being a new parent can increase this feeling as it pushes one out of their comfort zones</li><li>Traditional gender norms- In the tech world, it has been seen that more men than women are holding senior roles. Though, this is slightly changing now, still there are times when a woman&#8217;s success is compared with the impact on her family while men do not go through this. Thus, societal pressure also impacts gender as more is expected from one.&nbsp;</li><li>Intersectionality and systemic bias- Intersectional factors have led to individuals facing more imposter syndrome symptoms </li></ul>



<h2 id="h-perfectionism-pleasing-procrastination-and-paralysis">Perfectionism, Pleasing, procrastination, and Paralysis</h2>



The 4 P’s are something that has and can cause self-doubt leading to imposter syndrome. Lets understand what they really are and how their impact leads to imposter syndrome:



As a human being when we are in a new role, we want to be a perfectionist to either showcase our potential or just worry about getting a bad feedback. This can lead to worrying over small details and being very thorough, where one might not need to spend extra time.



Procrastination and Paralysis are where we think too much or plan too much before actually experiencing our next project/task/meeting. This then becomes an approach to many tasks and leads to not achieving much and spending too much time thinking.



People pleasing is one where one is aiming their best to make sure they please their team members all the time. This is not really a positive quality to have at all times as one may be a great communicator, empathetic, and diplomatic at work, however, this trait can cause destruction by leading to burnout.&nbsp;



<h2 id="h-how-to-work-with-imposter-syndrome">How to work with Imposter Syndrome?</h2> 



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter is-resized"><img loading="lazy" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/ESbjwa2xl9HQqjk6yEBOMt2A9tm4nranL5Y1gTdANERgFblXs5vx24lTZxBHlt9bT-MyyvLV39Wd26Djg8lRqtCTlcaMPsnGdFKFX-HEW82gsVaBZO7GnoVDuy52vVKfLhi0_FCO7Rg-cPJEK-zuGrA" alt="work with Imposter Syndrome" width="800" height="534" /></figure></div>



First of all you should understand that IT IS OK. Everyone goes through different stages in their careers and someone might be a fast learner and someone might take a little bit of time to get to it. What one needs to do is be honest about their skillset and let the team know so, if there is some support available, it can be provided. Remember always to have open and clear conversations about how you feel.



You can also speak to like-minded individuals. See if there are like-minded individuals who work with you or even in other teams and talk to them or raise it on a central forum. One thing to bear in mind is that other individuals may also be going through what you are going through so, talking to them could help as someone might have overcome it and provide constructive feedback on how to turn the syndrome around!



Another way to overcome your thoughts that while through imposter syndrome is by keeping yourself busy; perhaps do a new course at work that could help you grow, do some mindfulness sessions(yoga, meditation); perhaps join a STEM group at work or play sports with your colleagues/friends &#8211; these are great ways to relax your mind and not overthink. Try to learn what triggers you and then see what solutions could protect you.&nbsp;



Your managers and leaders should also be trained to make the team members feel comfortable, for instance, by celebrating the achievements of their team members, taking the team out for lunch, and making sure the team feels happy in general. Small successes lead to big successes, and to be empathetic as a leader for your team members and those who work with you is a great positive step in your leadership style.&nbsp;



Something more to bear in mind is that leaders/managers/higher management can also have imposter syndrome, however, if the work provides a positive supportive environment, individuals can feel comfortable.



Record your wins always regardless of the size, big or small as they count a lot as your experience as well as serve as great feedback for you too. Yes, there are times one doubts themselves, but do not forget all the good work one puts in which weighs more than anything else.



Finally, one can focus on thinking about how they provide value to their work and team rather than thinking about how they are being perceived. Focus on what you have to do and help team members as this small contribution can bring more confidence in individuals.&nbsp;



Self belief, experiences, and praise are things that drive one away from this syndrome.&nbsp;



<h2 id="h-a-software-tester-s-experience">A software tester’s experience&nbsp;</h2>



Sometimes, it is not YOU. What I mean by this is that the environment that you are working in and the people you work with can cause you to think that you are lacking skills or not understanding the work. I have experienced this with some managers who are micromanaging and it has made me feel low as well as underskilled.&nbsp;



Other than that, sometimes you are pressured for a task which you may have understood little or not at all, which can also make one feel confused and under-experienced or doubting themselves. You have to remember that sometimes you can solve this situation by being upfront and honest that you do not have the needed skill or it&#8217;s not possible at the moment, for you. It can create a discussion or an argument, however, you have to remember you spoke up and said the truth and it needs to be respected.&nbsp;



Another example is when you are not celebrated for the work you are putting in &#8211; your team is providing excellent feedback on it, but the management does not see it enough to celebrate it. This easily can delve one into thinking they are not that good yet or feel puzzled.



Sometimes when working with many software testers, I have witnessed favoritism which is not fair. The other testers get put forward for projects that others may feel they should go for and get to do the “fun” activities whereas other testers just sit back and continue with their day to day tasks. If there are various testers in the team, aim to balance it out so all testers feel valued and celebrate all. Not all will showcase big achievements, so celebrate the small wins too.&nbsp;



<h2 id="h-conclusion">Conclusion</h2>



Imposter syndrome starts from various situations and reasons &#8211; burnout, thinking of how others perceive you and your work, favoritism at work, micromanagement, etc. It should be a task for all companies to make sure mindfulness sessions are provided to all employees and make sure that this is practiced throughout. Every company prefers retaining as many employees as possible, so why not work on supporting them all?&nbsp;



I came across 6 powerful Mantras which will help:



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">It is normal to feel insecure in a team environment.</blockquote>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">Perfection does not exist.</blockquote>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">Mistakes are part of your journey to success.</blockquote>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">Criticism does not equate to failure, it helps one get better.</blockquote>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">It&#8217;s best to give your best shot than not to try at all</blockquote>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">You have been hired for a great reason, don&#8217;t self-doubt.</blockquote>



Do not aim for perfection as that does not exist, really, as all one can do is their best in their role.&nbsp;



Adding the time factor to the task at hand puts a nice boundary around it, and you’re less likely to head into burnout territory.&nbsp;



Remember, imposter syndrome is a very normal situation to be in, what&#8217;s difficult is the way to work around it. The tips provided in this blog can definitely be a starting point for all reading this.

How to overcome Imposter Syndrome – Tester’s edition

“When to stop testing” is a very interesting topic yet highly asked in many interviews these days. There are several answers to that question too such as: “you stop once you have completed an acceptance criteria”, some say “you never stop as testing is an ongoing task” and some day “it depends!”&nbsp;



Every company and every engineering team have their own criterias set in terms of when testing should be stopped for a particular product/feature. There are several things that impact this decision such as the entry and exit criterias too, however are these enough?&nbsp;



Let&#8217;s dive deeper and understand what is a good way to stop testing with enough confidence.&nbsp;



<div id="toc_container" class="no_bullets">Table Of Contents<ul class="toc_list"><li><a href="#When_do_we_start_testingnbsp">1 When do we start testing?&nbsp;</a></li><li><a href="#When_to_Stop_Testingnbsp">2 When to Stop Testing?&nbsp;</a></li><li><a href="#Checklistnbsp">3 Checklist&nbsp;</a></li><li><a href="#Conclusion">4 Conclusion</a></li></ul></div>
<h2 id="h-when-do-we-start-testing">When do we start testing?&nbsp;</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/CzPSbY-tiRvIEJ7KlE4Ukql-ZMJB5zS9ilOlkYHDma7Qa73w3RNXnHy1pPnG6BSywr_k6D8xbTUK6gnqhH3wPq4X5x1RdZTOc0ZA5vNHl_lD5GstFcZUGeRdCtlwb4IaZK-TWEdKVkHtCoV0fTdIhxk" alt="start testing"/></figure>



Let&#8217;s start this blog by understanding when to really initiate your testing process. As we keep hearing a lot in communities, conferences, webinars, etc shift testing to the left and not to leave this major task later in the SDLC. The reason behind this is that it helps find defects earlier, clear any assumptions/ambiguities, reduces costs, time and effort to rework and retest on features. This then leads to a good quality product.&nbsp;



We can start testing as early as the requirements stage by understanding what is the ask from this feature:



<ul><li>What do we already have in place?&nbsp;</li><li>How much testing will be required?</li><li>If we don&#8217;t have anything in place, then what would the system expect?</li><li>Pair with developers and Business analysts to get a clear picture and expectations</li><li>Understand if we need other teams too as this might be a feature that impacts other teams or not</li><li>Be involved with the design team to understand the design prior to testing it</li><li>If you are automating tests, you can follow a TDD process too and won&#8217;t have to wait till the feature is fully developed</li></ul>



Once we are clear at this stage, deployment will become much smoother for the entire team.&nbsp;



<h2 id="h-when-to-stop-testing">When to Stop Testing?&nbsp;<a href="https://qa.world/when-to-stop-testing/"></a></h2>



<p id="h-till-date-no-manager-director-has-ever-said-to-me-or-my-team-to-stop-testing-or-reduce-testing-all-i-hear-is-are-we-ready-to-proceed-are-we-confident-with-the-amount-that-has-been-tested-generally-testing-is-an-ongoing-task-we-do-tend-to-meet-acceptance-criterias-and-move-our-tasks-to-completion-however-sometimes-an-extension-or-enhancement-is-done-to-the-same-feature-that-means-you-have-to-test-it-again-therefore-having-an-open-mind-about-this-is-always-good-for-all-teams">Till date no manager/director has ever said to me or my team to stop testing or reduce testing. All I hear is are we ready to proceed, are we confident with the amount that has been tested? Generally testing is an ongoing task, we do tend to meet acceptance criterias and move our tasks to completion, however sometimes an extension or enhancement is done to the same feature, that means you have to test it again. Therefore having an open mind about this is always good for all teams.&nbsp;



The following points can be some guidelines to help you stop the testing tasks:



<ul><li>Decisions from your product owners, line managers to stop the testing tasks<ul><li>a) Budget or/and resources were allocated to some other high priority project</li><li>&nbsp;b) The project was canceled (from the client’s side or the company’s side)&nbsp;</li><li>c) The allocated budget is over and no more budget is being allocated.</li></ul></li></ul>



<ul><li>Deadlines that need to be met</li><li>No high priority and severity bugs found/expected</li><li>Completion of test case execution</li><li>Completion of functional and code coverage to a certain point</li><li>Completion of the acceptance criteria and exit criteria. It is imperative that we consider multiple factors while designing exit criteria, some of which are mentioned below:<ul><li>1. Strong buy-in from the software development team. In the end, your job is to discover defects and theirs is to fix.</li><li>2. If there are clients who will further test the product, that should also be considered as to what will be an acceptable input quality.</li></ul></li><li>Good coverage of the functionality/code.</li><li>Number of bugs in the feature or too buggy to deep dive (valid criteria for exiting a testing process is the discovery of a forecasted number of bugs).</li><li>Release deadline has been met</li></ul>



It is vital to pay attention to all finer details and errors in the product of the application. It is not possible to find all the bugs that may exist, but the team management will make decisions on when to release the product anyway. Also remember that if a bug is found in a live production environment that is not solely the testers responsibility, it&#8217;s the engineering team&#8217;s responsibility. Similarly, if you are retesting a vital bug and get asked “are we ready to release the testing?” it should not be the testers decision to say yes or no, it should always come from the management team. The release might go ahead with some unwanted bugs! See, we haven’t really stopped testing. The question is, can we find these bugs prior to the release, and what is their severity? And the best thing, how to stop the same bug from appearing?



Thereafter if you have met the exit criterias, ship it, but understand that it still has an unlimited amount of not yet discovered bugs.



<h2 id="h-checklist">Checklist&nbsp;</h2>



This checklist can serve as a guide to determine whether or not your team have enough confidence for completing the testing:



<ul><li>Stop the testing when deadlines like release deadlines or testing deadlines have reached.</li><li>Stop the testing when the test cases have been completed with some prescribed pass percentage.</li><li>Stop the testing when the testing budget comes to its end.</li><li>Stop the testing when the code coverage and functionality requirements come to the desired level.</li><li>Stop the testing when the bug rate drops below a prescribed level.</li><li>Stop the testing when the number of high severity Open Bugs is very low.</li><li>Stop the testing when the period of beta testing/alpha testing is over.</li></ul>



Some useful metrics you could also use :



<ul><li>Have a dashboard of the percentage of test cases that have passed.</li><li>Have a completion percentage based on the number of test cases executed.</li><li>Have a percentage of failed test cases.</li></ul>



One way to speed up your testing is when you automate your tests. Automation, though, should only be taken up if you <a href="https://website.testsigma.com/blog/roi-test-automation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">see an ROI</a> in the long run at least.



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<a href="https://website.testsigma.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Testsigma</a> is one such tool that comes with features made specifically to help you speed up your testing. It is a codeless platform thus you don’t need to learn to code too. Learn more about it here: testsigma.com



<h2 id="h-conclusion">Conclusion</h2>



Determining when to stop testing is subjective and a complex matter. I believe testing is a never-ending process in a positive way. I have yet to hear from someone that the software is 100% complete from testing. Criteria once designed are not meant to be carved in stone. It should be reviewed constantly in light of the adherence and the post-release issues which come after we meet a set criterion. Therefore, by exploring factors such as meeting release deadlines, the severity of bugs, management decisions, and establishing effective exit criteria, we have equipped you with the necessary thinking points to make informed choices. While the decision may still require careful consideration and evaluation of specific project circumstances, we are confident that the information shared in this blog will empower you to determine appropriate exit criteria and identify the right time to conclude testing. Remember, success lies in finding the right balance between thorough testing and project constraints.&nbsp;



Happy testing!

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