Alpha Testing 101 Everything You Need to Know

Alpha Testing : What it is, Why ,Process & When to Automate?


<p>As software development becomes increasingly important and complex, understanding the methods and techniques used to ensure quality and reliability in software testing is essential. One such method is Pilot testing!</p>



<p>Pilot testing involves testing a limited software version with a small group of users before releasing it to the general public. People often use pilot testing in combination with other testing methods like <a href="https://website.testsigma.com/blog/alpha-test-vs-beta-test/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">alpha and beta testing</a>.</p>



<p>This blog will help you figure out the perks and cool ways to pilot-test your software so that it&#8217;s super easy for users and totally rocks for your target audience.</p>



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter"><img src="https://images.storychief.com/account_36412/pilot-testing_885e499a14752c5f8bb63144a8554ed8_2000.jpeg" alt="This is not Pilot testing"/></figure></div>



<div id="toc_container" class="no_bullets"><p class="toc_title">Table Of Contents</p><ul class="toc_list"><li><a href="#What_is_Pilot_Testing"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">1</span> What is Pilot Testing?</a></li><li><a href="#Why_Pilot_Testing_is_Important"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">2</span> Why Pilot Testing is Important?</a></li><li><a href="#Objectives_Of_Pilot_Testing"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">3</span> Objectives Of Pilot Testing</a></li><li><a href="#Example_of_Pilot_Testing"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">4</span> Example of Pilot Testing</a></li><li><a href="#Benefits_of_Pilot_Testing"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">5</span> Benefits of Pilot Testing</a></li><li><a href="#How_to_Do_Pilot_Testing"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">6</span> How to Do Pilot Testing?</a></li><li><a href="#Steps_after_Evaluation"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">7</span> Steps after Evaluation </a></li><li><a href="#When_to_Automate_Your_Pilot_Tests"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">8</span> When to Automate Your Pilot Tests?</a></li><li><a href="#Pilot_Testing_vs_Beta_Testing"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">9</span> Pilot Testing vs Beta Testing</a></li><li><a href="#Best_Practices"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">10</span> Best Practices </a></li><li><a href="#Summary"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">11</span> Summary</a></li><li><a href="#Frequently_Asked_Questions"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">12</span> Frequently Asked Questions</a><ul><li><a href="#Is_pilot_testing_a_reliability_test"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">12.1</span> Is pilot testing a reliability test?</a></li><li><a href="#Is_pilot_testing_an_essential_part_of_all_research_projectsnbsp"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">12.2</span> Is pilot testing an essential part of all research projects?&nbsp;</a></li><li><a href="#What_is_the_difference_between_pilot_testing_and_UAT"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">12.3</span> What is the difference between pilot testing and UAT?</a></li></ul></li></ul></div>
<h2 id="h-what-is-pilot-testing"><span id="What_is_Pilot_Testing"><strong>What is Pilot Testing?</strong></span></h2>



<p>Pilot testing in software testing is a type of User Acceptance Testing where a small group of users or stakeholders are selected to test the application in a real-world setting. The objective is to identify any issues that may arise during production use and improve the overall quality of the product. </p>



<p>Based on their feedback, testers can further refine the application to enhance its features and ensure it meets user requirements before launching it for widespread use. Working with real-world users under actual production conditions helps organizations mitigate risk by identifying potential problems before releasing an application into production.</p>



<h2 id="h-why-pilot-testing-is-important"><span id="Why_Pilot_Testing_is_Important"><strong>Why Pilot Testing is Important?</strong></span></h2>



<p>Here are some key reasons why it is important:</p>



<ul><li><strong>Minimizes Risk</strong>: It helps identify any design flaws, usability issues, or gaps in functionality that could derail the project&#8217;s success. This ensures that the final product meets expectations.</li><li><strong>Saves Time and Money</strong>: It allows teams to make changes earlier in the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Systems_development_life_cycle" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">development cycle</a> when less expensive and reduces the likelihood of major development roadblocks during final deployment.</li><li><strong>Gains Valuable Insights</strong>: Through pilot testing, developers can gain valuable feedback from their target audience to refine functionality needs and better understand user behavior.</li><li><strong>Increases User Adoption</strong>: The findings from pilot tests allow developers to see how users interact with their product or service. Testers can then fine-tune their offering accordingly, increasing <a href="https://whop.com/blog/product-adoption-metrics/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">adoption rates</a> for new products as they launch.</li></ul>



<h2 id="objectives-of-pilot-testing"><span id="Objectives_Of_Pilot_Testing"><strong>Objectives Of Pilot Testing</strong></span></h2>



<p><strong>1. Identify Performance Limitations:</strong> It enables evaluation of the actual performance of a product against known, predetermined skills and processes. This allows companies to identify any unexpected difficulties the product may cause in the user&#8217;s normal operations.</p>



<p><strong>2. Validate System Requirements: </strong>Testing a product before the official launch helps identify any missing functionalities and extra ones that may not have been necessary. This helps validate system requirements before the actual product launch.</p>



<p><strong>3. Assess Product Usability: </strong>It helps assess a product&#8217;s ease of use and user-friendliness. Assessing usability helps ensure that the product&#8217;s user experience is up to the standards and is user-friendly.&nbsp;</p>



<p><strong>4. Refine and Improve:</strong> Through pilot testing, companies gain valuable insights which can be used for product improvements. Companies can identify potential areas of improvement and refine product features according to user feedback.</p>



<p><strong>5. Reduce System Risk: </strong>It helps identify potential errors before the product&#8217;s launch. This helps reduce the risk of failures or crashes after the launch of a product. Companies can also fix any issues identified during the pilot phase before the product is ready for launch.</p>



<h2 id="h-example-of-pilot-testing"><span id="Example_of_Pilot_Testing"><strong>Example of Pilot Testing</strong></span></h2>



<p>We will give you a quick and easy example to help you understand how this works.</p>



<p>A company has developed a new mobile app for booking flights. Before releasing the app to the public, they would conduct pilot tests by selecting a small group of users to test it in real-world scenarios. They will ask these users to perform various tasks such as searching for flights, booking tickets, and checking in for their flights.</p>



<p>During this pilot testing phase, testers would closely monitor the app&#8217;s performance and gather user feedback on any issues. This feedback would then be used to make necessary changes and improvements to the app before it is released to the public.</p>



<h2 id="h-benefits-of-pilot-testing"><span id="Benefits_of_Pilot_Testing"><strong>Benefits of Pilot Testing</strong></span></h2>



<p>The benefits includes:</p>



<ol><li>Saving time and money by catching errors early on and avoiding costly mistakes during larger implementations.</li><li>Providing an opportunity for stakeholders to provide feedback and shape the project&#8217;s direction.</li><li>Assessing the usability and functionality of products or services under real-world conditions.</li><li>Reducing risks associated with launching new initiatives, such as low adoption rates or negative customer reception.</li><li>Improving overall quality by incorporating feedback into design iterations before finalizing the product or service.</li></ol>



<h2 id="h-how-to-do-pilot-testing"><span id="How_to_Do_Pilot_Testing"><strong>How to Do Pilot Testing?</strong></span></h2>



<p>Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do this testing like a professional:</p>



<ol><li>Step one involves identifying your target audience and selecting a sample size that accurately represents them.</li><li>Step two requires defining your objectives and determining the data collection methods.</li><li>It&#8217;s important to create guidelines for testing protocols and ensure sufficient resources are available for executing the tests at scale during step three.</li><li>The fourth step involves carrying out the tests in controlled environments, followed by a thorough analysis of the results gathered in step five.</li><li>Once this evaluation is complete, the sixth and final stage involves fine-tuning your product or service based on feedback and implementing necessary changes before finalization.</li></ol>



<h2 id="h-steps-after-evaluation"><span id="Steps_after_Evaluation"><strong>Steps after Evaluation </strong></span></h2>



<p>After the evaluation , the next step is to analyze and interpret the results obtained. This involves</p>



<ul><li>reviewing data collected from the pilot test and</li><li>assessing its validity, reliability, and relevance.</li></ul>



<p>Once this is done, requests can be made about whether to proceed with full-scale implementation or modify the design. The modifications could include changes in how data will be collected during the deployment phase. Finally, documenting lessons learned during pilot testing provides valuable insights that can contribute towards improved processes and outcomes when deploying on a broader scale. Also, clear communication of findings should occur with stakeholders so they are fully informed about the importance of investment.</p>



<h2 id="h-when-to-automate-your-pilot-tests"><span id="When_to_Automate_Your_Pilot_Tests"><strong>When to Automate Your Pilot Tests?</strong></span></h2>



<p>As software development cycles continue to shorten, automated pilot testing has become essential for ensuring product quality and meeting tight deadlines. However, not all aspects of a project require automation; the decision to automate pilot tests must be made carefully based on considerations such as project size, frequency of updates, and level of complexity. </p>



<p><a href="https://website.testsigma.com/automated-testing" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Automated testing</a> is ideal for projects with constantly changing user requirements or a significant volume of repetitive tests that can quickly bog down manual testers. Automating pilot testing takes place post-UAT but pre-deployment, serving as a preparatory exercise for usability testing with a reduced user count.



Testsigma is a <a href="https://website.testsigma.com/codeless-automation-testing-tools" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">no-code test automation tool</a> that lets you automate your tests for web, mobile, APIs and desktop applications in minutes. Writing and editing tests is as easy as writing and editing a simple English sentence. </p>



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<h2 id="pilot-testing-vs-beta-testing"><span id="Pilot_Testing_vs_Beta_Testing"><strong>Pilot Testing vs Beta Testing</strong></span></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Features</strong></td><td><strong>Pilot Testing</strong></td><td><strong><a href="https://website.testsigma.com/blog/beta-testing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Beta Testing</a></strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Timing&nbsp;</strong></td><td>Testing is done before the release of the product</td><td>Beta testing is done after the release of the product</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Purpose</strong></td><td>it is done to verify the product functions as anticipated</td><td>Beta testing is done to evaluate how the product&#8217;s features meet the user&#8217;s needs after the release</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Intended Users</strong></td><td>it is done by select users that represent the general group of users</td><td>Beta testing is done by a larger group of users that may represent a larger group of users</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Scope&nbsp;</strong></td><td>it has a small scope and limited feature set</td><td>Beta testing has a much larger scope and broader feature set</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Feedback</strong></td><td>it provides feedback about the product before the public release</td><td>Beta testing offers user feedback to product developers about how to make the product better for future releases</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



<h2 id="h-best-practices"><span id="Best_Practices"><strong>Best Practices </strong></span></h2>



<p>Here are some tips to help you get started:</p>



<ol><li><strong>Clearly define your goals for the pilot test</strong>. Are you testing for usability, functionality, or effectiveness? Determining this beforehand will help you create a focused and successful pilot test.</li><li><strong>Select your pilot participants carefully</strong>. Make sure you choose a diverse group of people who represent your target audience. This will help you get a variety of feedback and insights.</li><li><strong>Provide clear instructions and guidance to your pilot participants</strong>. Make sure they understand what they are supposed to do and provide them with any necessary materials or information.</li><li><strong>Be open to feedback and take notes</strong>. Listen carefully to what your pilot participants say, and take detailed notes on their feedback and suggestions.</li><li>Use the feedback to improve your product or service.</li><li>After the pilot test, analyze the feedback you received and make any necessary changes to improve your product or service.</li></ol>



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<h2 id="h-summary"><span id="Summary"><strong>Summary</strong></span></h2>



<p>It&#8217;s important to consider factors like who your target audience is, how many people you need for the test, and what kind of feedback you want to gather from them. You&#8217;ll also want to establish clear objectives and metrics for success so that you can analyze the data collected during testing and use it to improve your product before going live. So do your due diligence with pilot testing- it may be the key to unlocking your product&#8217;s full potential!</p>



<h2 id="h-frequently-asked-questions"><span id="Frequently_Asked_Questions"><strong>Frequently Asked Questions</strong></span></h2>



<h3 id="h-is-pilot-testing-a-reliability-test"><span id="Is_pilot_testing_a_reliability_test">Is pilot testing a reliability test?</span></h3>



<p>Pilot test can provide valuable data that can inform and improve the reliability testing process, but it is not a substitute for it.</p>



<h3 id="is-pilot-testing-an-essential-part-of-all-research-projects"><span id="Is_pilot_testing_an_essential_part_of_all_research_projectsnbsp">Is pilot testing an essential part of all research projects?&nbsp;</span></h3>



<p>Pilot testing is not always an essential part of all research projects, but it is a helpful tool to consider.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Pilot testing is a useful method to develop evidence and insights into a project’s results before launching the full-scale project.&nbsp;</p>



<h3 id="what-is-the-difference-between-pilot-testing-and-uat"><span id="What_is_the_difference_between_pilot_testing_and_UAT">What is the difference between pilot testing and UAT?</span></h3>



<p>Pilot testing is when a small, usually representative subset of the user groups is assessed with a prototype or early version of the product being developed. Its goal is to discover any usability issues, evaluate features, and identify areas of improvement in the product.&nbsp;</p>



<p>User Acceptance Testing (UAT) occurs during the final stages of the development cycle, usually after a full product version is created. UAT focuses more on performance, functionality, usability, and security within the specified requirements.</p>


What is Pilot testing in Software Testing

Pilot Testing | What it is, Why ,How to Do & Best Practices


<p>Welcome, Fellow Software buffs! Have you ever wondered how to convert those vexing user stories into valuable and efficient test cases? Look no further! since we&#8217;ll dive into the fascinating field of user stories in testing today! When following agile methodology for software development, user stories will be the basis for your work.</p>



<p>That&#8217;s where we come in; with our helpful guide, you&#8217;ll learn how to wrangle those user stories into test cases, making your testing process easier and less stressful. We&#8217;ll go through everything from the fundamentals of user stories to the finer points of writing test cases to guarantee your program functions smoothly.</p>



<p>Let&#8217;s get started!</p>



<div id="toc_container" class="no_bullets"><p class="toc_title">Table Of Contents</p><ul class="toc_list"><li><a href="#What_is_a_User_Story"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">1</span> What is a User Story?</a></li><li><a href="#Characteristics_of_a_user_story"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">2</span> Characteristics of a user story</a></li><li><a href="#Examples_of_User_Stories_in_Testing"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">3</span> Examples of User Stories in Testing</a><ul><li><a href="#User_Story_1"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">3.1</span> User Story 1:</a></li><li><a href="#User_Story_2"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">3.2</span> User Story 2:</a></li><li><a href="#User_Story_3"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">3.3</span> User Story 3:</a></li></ul></li><li><a href="#Benefits_of_User_Stories_in_Testing"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">4</span> Benefits of User Stories in Testing</a></li><li><a href="#How_to_Convert_User_Stories_Into_Test_Cases"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">5</span> How to Convert User Stories Into Test Cases?</a><ul><li><a href="#Identify_the_scenarios"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">5.1</span> Identify the scenarios:</a></li><li><a href="#Define_the_test_cases"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">5.2</span> Define the test cases:</a></li><li><a href="#Write_the_test_steps"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">5.3</span> Write the test steps:</a></li><li><a href="#Add_relevant_screenshots"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">5.4</span> Add relevant screenshots:</a></li><li><a href="#Prioritize_the_test_cases"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">5.5</span> Prioritize the test cases:</a></li><li><a href="#Update_the_test_cases"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">5.6</span> Update the test cases:</a></li><li><a href="#How_to_Make_This_Activity_Helpful_for_Test_Automation"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">5.7</span> How to Make This Activity Helpful for Test Automation</a></li></ul></li><li><a href="#Conclusion"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">6</span> Conclusion</a></li><li><a href="#Frequently_Asked_Question"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">7</span> Frequently Asked Question</a><ul><li><a href="#Who_writes_user_stories"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">7.1</span> Who writes user stories?</a></li><li><a href="#What_are_the_two_types_of_user_stories"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">7.2</span> What are the two types of user stories?</a></li></ul></li></ul></div>
<h2 id="h-what-is-a-user-story"><span id="What_is_a_User_Story"><strong>What is a User Story?</strong></span></h2>



<p>The user story is a term narrated extensively in the Agile software development context, but what exactly is it?</p>



<p>User story testing is a brief, concise explanation of a product or capability from the end user&#8217;s perspective. In an Agile process, a user story is a small workflow unit. It allows the development team to understand the user&#8217;s wants and needs and ensures that the program fits those demands. It is often used in software development.</p>



<p>User stories are typically written in a specific format;</p>



<ol><li>User</li><li>Functionality</li><li>Goal</li></ol>



<p>User stories are essential for directing the development process and ensuring the final product meets the consumer&#8217;s demands. As a <strong>User</strong>, I seek <strong>Functionality</strong> so that the <strong>Goal</strong> is structured. Examples include wanting to follow their purchase status online and knowing when to anticipate delivery. Testers must understand and turn user stories into appealing test cases to ensure the program functions as intended.</p>



<h2 id="h-characteristics-of-a-user-story"><span id="Characteristics_of_a_user_story"><strong>Characteristics of a user story</strong></span></h2>



<p>User stories are a great component for any development team, but there are several crucial characteristics to consider while designing them, mentioned below:</p>



<ul><li>A quick and concise explanation of a software feature or need.</li><li>Written from the standpoint of a user or stakeholder.</li><li>Features acceptance criteria for defining the feature&#8217;s expected behavior. It may be divided into smaller, more manageable chunks (epics, themes, or tasks).</li><li>Often written in “user, functionality, goal” &#8211; format, the development team and stakeholders reach a common understanding.</li><li>Priorities are assigned based on business value and influence on end-user experience.</li></ul>



<h2 id="h-examples-of-user-stories-in-testing"><span id="Examples_of_User_Stories_in_Testing">Examples of User Stories in Testing</span></h2>



<p>Let&#8217;s look at some user story testing examples to understand better what they are:</p>



<h3 id="h-user-story-1"><span id="User_Story_1">User Story 1:</span></h3>



<p>As a user on social media, I want to be able to modify my profile information, So that I can keep my expertise current.</p>



<p>By doing so, Users can easily alter their profile information to maintain their knowledge and personal details on the platform, focusing on their motivation and desired outcome.</p>



<h3 id="h-user-story-2"><span id="User_Story_2">User Story 2:</span></h3>



<p>As an online shopper, I want to limit search results by price to select items within my budget.</p>



<p>This user story reflects online customers&#8217; needs to specify a price range when looking for items. This feature allows customers to filter search results by price, improving the browsing experience by allowing them to exclude goods outside of their specified price range.</p>



<h3 id="h-user-story-3"><span id="User_Story_3">User Story 3:</span></h3>



<p>As a fitness app user, I want to track my progress over time to see how I am progressing.</p>



<p>This user story highlights fitness app users&#8217; need to track their progress and performance over time. This option&nbsp;allows users to examine their fitness journey, such as steps done, calories burnt, distance travelled, or weight lifted, to assess their progress and make educated fitness decisions. With the growing demand for fitness apps, it&#8217;s important to choose a reliable and experienced <a href="https://onix-systems.com/sports-and-fitness-development-services" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fitness app development company</a> that can create a user-friendly and feature-rich app tailored to individual fitness goals.</p>



<h2 id="h-benefits-of-user-stories-in-testing"><span id="Benefits_of_User_Stories_in_Testing">Benefits of User Stories in Testing</span></h2>



<p>User stories offer a variety of benefits to software development teams:</p>



<ul><li>To clearly understand what the user wants helps developers create software that meets their needs.</li><li>Encourage collaboration between developers, testers, and stakeholders, leading to a better end product.</li><li>They can be easily prioritized, allowing teams to focus on the most important features first.</li><li>To help identify potential issues and challenges early on in the development process.</li><li>Promote a user-centered approach to software development, resulting in a more satisfying user experience.</li></ul>



<h2 id="h-how-to-convert-user-stories-into-test-cases"><span id="How_to_Convert_User_Stories_Into_Test_Cases">How to Convert User Stories Into Test Cases?</span></h2>



<p>Once you have a solid understanding of user stories, the next step is to convert them into practical and effective test cases. Here&#8217;s an example that demonstrates how you can do it:</p>



<p><strong>User Story: </strong>I want to add products to my shopping basket on an e-commerce website to make a purchase.</p>



<h3 id="h-identify-the-scenarios"><span id="Identify_the_scenarios">Identify the scenarios:</span></h3>



<ul><li>Scenario 1: Adding one item to the shopping cart.</li><li>Scenario 2: Adding numerous items to the shopping cart.</li></ul>



<h3 id="h-define-the-test-cases"><span id="Define_the_test_cases">Define the test cases:</span></h3>



<ul><li>In Test Case 1, Confirm that a single item may be added to the shopping basket.</li><li>Verify that a user may add numerous products to the shopping basket in Test Case 2.</li></ul>



<h3 id="h-write-the-test-steps"><span id="Write_the_test_steps">Write the test steps:</span></h3>



<p><strong>Test Case 1:</strong></p>



<ol><li>Go to the product&#8217;s page.</li><li>For the chosen item, click the &#8220;Add to Cart&#8221; button.</li><li>Check that the item has been put to the shopping basket.</li></ol>



<p><strong>Test Case 2:</strong></p>



<ol><li>Go to the product&#8217;s page.</li><li>Select multiple items by selecting the &#8220;Add to Cart&#8221; buttons next to them.</li><li>Check that all selected goods have been put in the shopping basket.</li></ol>



<h3 id="h-add-relevant-screenshots"><span id="Add_relevant_screenshots">Add relevant screenshots:</span></h3>



<p>Include images of the product page, the &#8220;Add to Cart&#8221; button, and the updated shopping cart after the item(s) have been added.</p>



<h3 id="h-prioritize-the-test-cases"><span id="Prioritize_the_test_cases">Prioritize the test cases:</span></h3>



<p>Prioritize the situations depending on their relevance. </p>



<p><strong>Test Case 1</strong> is a priority since it covers the core operation of adding a single item to the shopping cart.</p>



<h3 id="h-update-the-test-cases"><span id="Update_the_test_cases">Update the test cases:</span></h3>



<p>Update the test cases as the user narrative matures or changes. For example, if the user narrative is changed to include the ability to remove products from the shopping cart, the test cases should be updated to incorporate the removal procedures.</p>



<h3 id="h-how-to-make-this-activity-helpful-for-test-automation"><span id="How_to_Make_This_Activity_Helpful_for_Test_Automation">How to Make This Activity Helpful for Test Automation</span></h3>



<p>To make the activity of turning user stories into test cases helpful for <a href="https://website.testsigma.com/automated-testing" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">test automation</a>, there are several key considerations:</p>



<ol><li><strong>Selecting the <a href="https://website.testsigma.com/blog/10-points-to-help-you-choose-the-right-test-automation-tool/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Right Test Automation Tool</a>:</strong> Select a test automation solution that is compatible with the needs of your project, such as Testsigma, which can automate test cases efficiently.</li><li><strong>Creating Automation-Friendly Test Steps:</strong> Focus on generating test procedures that can be easily converted into automated scripts while writing test cases, reducing difficult activities into manageable processes.</li><li><strong>Prioritizing Test Cases for Automation:</strong> You may choose which test cases should be automated first by assigning priority to them. Concentrating on high-priority test cases may optimize your automation efforts while ensuring key functionality is adequately evaluated.</li></ol>



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<p><p style="padding-bottom:30px">Testsigma is a no-code test automation tool that reduces human error, saves time, and offers scalability. With Testsigma, writing test cases is as easy as writing sentences in simple English; thus converting your user stories into efficient and effective test cases is easier. It reduces human error by conducting automated tests consistently and reliably, saves time by completing tests quickly, and offers scalability to meet the demands of a project.</p></p>



<br><h2 id="h-conclusion"><span id="Conclusion"><strong>Conclusion</strong></span></h2>



<p>Finally, turning user stories into compelling test cases is essential in ensuring your program meets your users&#8217; needs. Thanks to our easy-to-use test automation platform, these stories can be easily turned into automated tests and executed quickly and efficiently with Testsigma.</p>



<h2 id="h-frequently-asked-question"><span id="Frequently_Asked_Question"><strong>Frequently Asked Question</strong></span></h2>



<h3 id="h-who-writes-user-stories"><span id="Who_writes_user_stories">Who writes user stories?</span></h3>



<p>User stories are often developed by product owners, business analysts, or other stakeholders who thoroughly understand the users&#8217; needs and expectations. The idea is to get everyone on the team on the same page about what the program needs to do and what features will be required to get there.</p>



<h3 id="h-what-are-the-two-types-of-user-stories"><span id="What_are_the_two_types_of_user_stories">What are the two types of user stories?</span></h3>



<p>The two types of user stories are functional and technical. Functional stories focus on the user and the value of the application software&#8217;s functioning, while technical stories are written to supplement functional stories. Technical stories are further subdivided into:</p>



<ul><li>infrastructure stories</li><li>refactoring stories</li><li>spike stories</li></ul>



<p>The technical stories require architecture and design research to meet the customer&#8217;s functional requirements.</p>


User Stories In Testing How To Convert it Into Test Cases

User Stories In Testing: How To Convert it Into Test Cases?

Find Element by XPath: A Complete Guide

Release testing How to automate with Testsigma

Release Testing: What It is, Types & How to Perform?


<p>The Software Testing is key aspect of Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC). Outcome of the product quality depends on how thoroughly software is tested. There are different types of testing techniques. Exploratory testing is one such popular technique where the professional testers perform the testing without any preparation. Tester explores the given functionality and aims to find as many bugs as possible. </p>



<p>Testers may get distracted during the exploratory testing, as he may work on multiple tasks parallelly such as raising defects, discussions, asking for clarifications or any other non-testing related activities. To overcome the challenges of exploratory testing and utilize the complete power of exploratory testing there is a technique called Session Based Testing (SBT).</p>



<div id="toc_container" class="no_bullets"><p class="toc_title">Table Of Contents</p><ul class="toc_list"><li><a href="#What_is_Session_Based_Testing"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">1</span> What is Session Based Testing?</a></li><li><a href="#Components_of_Session_Based_Testing"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">2</span> Components of Session Based Testing</a></li><li><a href="#Why_Session_Based_Testing_Management_SBTM_is_important"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">3</span> Why Session Based Testing Management (SBTM) is important?</a><ul><li><a href="#Advantages_of_Exploratory_Testing"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">3.1</span> Advantages of Exploratory Testing</a></li><li><a href="#Disadvantages_of_Exploratory_Testing"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">3.2</span> Disadvantages of Exploratory Testing</a></li><li><a href="#Advantages_of_Session-Based_Testing"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">3.3</span> Advantages of Session-Based Testing</a></li></ul></li><li><a href="#Session-Based_Testing_in_Agile_Methodology"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">4</span> Session-Based Testing in Agile Methodology</a></li><li><a href="#Session_Based_Testing_and_Automation"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">5</span> Session Based Testing and Automation</a></li><li><a href="#Advantage_of_using_Automation_in_Session_Based_Testing"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">6</span> Advantage of using Automation in Session Based Testing</a></li><li><a href="#Summary"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">7</span> Summary</a></li><li><a href="#Session-Based_Testing_Frequently_Asked_Questions"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">8</span> Session-Based Testing Frequently Asked Questions</a><ul><li><ul><li><a href="#What_are_the_benefits_of_SBT"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_3">8.0.1</span> What are the benefits of SBT?</a></li></ul></li><li><a href="#Is_session-based_testing_an_agile_methodology"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">8.1</span> Is session-based testing an agile methodology?</a></li><li><a href="#Does_session-based_testing_require_automation"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">8.2</span> Does session-based testing require automation?</a></li><li><a href="#What_is_an_exploratory_testing_session"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">8.3</span> What is an exploratory testing session?</a></li></ul></li></ul></div>
<h2 id="h-what-is-session-based-testing"><span id="What_is_Session_Based_Testing">What is Session Based Testing?</span></h2>



<p>Session Based Testing can be defined as a structured and time-based testing technique to carry out exploratory testing. In this methodology, uninterrupted testing is carried out for a specific time-period. In the end, the outcome of the testing is evaluated.</p>



<h2 id="h-components-of-session-based-testing"><span id="Components_of_Session_Based_Testing">Components of Session Based Testing</span></h2>



<p>The session-based exploratory testing involves multiple elements as it follows specific approach. Below is the list:</p>



<ul><li><strong>Mission:</strong> Define the purpose.</li><li><strong>Charter: </strong>Define the goal for session.</li><li><strong>Session:</strong> Uninterrupted time for actual testing.</li><li><strong>Session Report:</strong> Session report contains bugs and other information.</li><li><strong>Debrief: </strong>Quick session with manager.</li><li><strong>Parsing Results: </strong>High-level aggregated reports.</li></ul>



<p>Each and every component mentioned above plays a critical role in the session testing. Let&#8217;s understand each component in detail.</p>



<p id="h-mission"><strong>Mission</strong></p>



<p>It defines the purpose behind session based Testing. This includes the duration of the session. Duration can be typically 45 minutes to 2 hours. The mission helps to focus on the key areas while still allowing the exploration of the system.</p>



<p id="h-charter"><strong>Charter</strong></p>



<p>The charter is the goal for the specific test session. The testing team creates the charters. However, while preparing the charter, the testing team can take the help of the product and development teams. You can derive the charters from the specifications or the previous sessions. But you should be aware that charters are flexible and can be updated at any time. Charters should not be too generic and should not be too specific. For example,</p>



<ul><li>Verify the Testsigma website &#8211; This is too general.</li><li>Validate the Testsigma homepage for the menu dropdown to work correctly &#8211; This is too specific.</li><li>Focus on the Testsigma webpage functionalities that are listed on the homepage &#8211; Good.</li></ul>



<p id="h-session"><strong>Session</strong></p>



<p>The session is your uninterrupted and focused time for testing. You should focus the session on charter but not limit to charter. You can explore new opportunities or bugs during the session. As you progress, note down the ideas and bugs. You can also note down the scenarios that are worth exploring in the next sessions.</p>



<p id="h-session-report"><strong>Session report</strong></p>



<p>Once the session is over, you will have a lot of scenarios, bugs, and a lot of valuable information. The session report contains the summary of the session. Some of the key pointers of session reports are charter, the strategy used, area tested, list of bugs, list of open questions/clarifications, opportunities discovered, duration, etc.</p>



<p id="h-debrief"><strong>Debrief</strong></p>



<p>It is a quick discussion between the tester and the manager. The debriefing follows the PROOF concept.</p>



<ul><li>Past(P): List of activities you have completed during the session.</li><li>Results: What you have achieved in the session.</li><li>Obstacles(O): List of problems that you have faced.</li><li>Outlooks(O): Your feedback or plans for the next session.</li><li>Feelings(F): Your opinion and review; this can also include improvisation points.</li></ul>



<p id="h-parsing-results"><strong>Parsing Results</strong></p>



<p>Managers can create a common standardized report. The report consolidates or aggregates all the session reports. The report includes a list of bugs, sessions per feature, time spent on each area, new opportunities, etc.</p>



<h2 id="h-why-session-based-testing-management-sbtm-is-important"><span id="Why_Session_Based_Testing_Management_SBTM_is_important">Why Session Based Testing Management (SBTM) is important?</span></h2>



<p>Let’s understand how you can get benefit from Session Based Test Management (SBTM). SBT is an extended version of exploratory testing. To know the importance of SBTM you need to know the pros and cons of the<a href="https://website.testsigma.com/blog/exploratory-testing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> exploratory testing</a>.</p>



<h3 id="h-advantages-of-exploratory-testing"><span id="Advantages_of_Exploratory_Testing">Advantages of Exploratory Testing</span></h3>



<ul><li><strong>Less Preparation Time: </strong>It<strong> </strong>is more result-oriented rather than process oriented. You don’t have to pre-plan your testing activity. You can start the testing immediately and start reporting bugs.</li><li><strong>No barriers: </strong>You are not limited to any functionality or scripts and are free to explore. This helps in recording the critical bugs early.</li><li><strong>Increased knowledge:</strong> As you are given with tasks to report as many bugs as possible, it increases your product knowledge. As you keep on exploring and testing, you get the answers to a lot of questions.</li><li><strong>Anyone can contribute: </strong>Though testers are primary for these sessions, any person from the product team, development team, or anyone who has knowledge of the product can contribute to the exploratory testing.</li></ul>



<h3 id="h-disadvantages-of-exploratory-testing"><span id="Disadvantages_of_Exploratory_Testing">Disadvantages of Exploratory Testing</span></h3>



<ul><li><strong>Requires experienced resources with out-of-the-box thinking: </strong>One of the major drawbacks of exploratory testing is, there are no test plans and no testcases. Only person who knows about product can bring the good result. The testers creativity plays major role in testing.</li><li><strong>No traces and tracks on amount of completion: </strong>You cannot say confidently that, you have completed X percentage of testing. As you are not focused on specific plans. You might have many undiscovered bugs even after testing.</li><li><strong>Difficult to reproduce issues:</strong> You should have high level of attention to detail while performing the exploratory testing. You should know what you are doing otherwise it is difficult to reproduce the steps, when you discover the bugs.</li><li><strong>Interruptions: </strong>Testers easily get distracted with messaging tools, emails, discussion with product team, asking clarifications. Though you spend 2 hours on exploratory testing, the focused hours may be 30 mins to 1 hour.</li></ul>



<p>You can easily think that exploratory testing is good and required for every product, and it saves from delivering critical bugs to production. At the same time, you need to overcome the difficulties in the exploratory testing. Session Based Testing had emerged as a powerful testing technique for the same reason. It overcomes the disadvantages of exploratory testing, and it adds power to exploratory testing.</p>



<h3 id="h-advantages-of-session-based-testing"><span id="Advantages_of_Session-Based_Testing">Advantages of Session-Based Testing</span></h3>



<ul><li><strong>Structured:</strong> You will not be given test plans during the session testing, but you will have structures and focus areas. The session is organized from beginning to end with a structured approach.</li><li><strong>Focused Testing:</strong> You don’t get any distractions in session-based testing. SBT testing uses a focused and distraction-free session. The SBT includes a major component as a session which is distraction-free time to achieve your goal.</li><li><strong>Uncover Edge case scenarios:</strong> SBT takes advantage of exploratory testing; it provides the flexibility to explore new features and uncover bugs.</li><li><strong>Easy to Track:</strong> You will get the focused area to test, so it is easy to remember what you have tried. This also helps in recording steps. Some tools also provide you to add short notes/comments, which can be helpful during final report creation.</li><li><strong>Everything is tracked: </strong>You can track everything, such as focused features, duration, and explored areas, and your overall experience throughout the session is tracked in a document. The aggregated report helps the management to analyze and come up with new plans.</li></ul>



<h2 id="h-session-based-testing-in-agile-methodology"><span id="Session-Based_Testing_in_Agile_Methodology">Session-Based Testing in Agile Methodology</span></h2>



<p>Agile methodology is a modern software development framework. Most organizations are now transitioning to agile framework. Agile framework provides the flexibility to customize and incorporate new things by using standard guidelines. The session-based testing technique can be easily integrated into the agile framework. The Session based testing allows you to have a charter, which can be small or large. You can define the charter which can fit into your agile model for each session. It also provides the flexibility to have as many sessions as you need. Below is one such example that shows how SBT can be integrated into Agile:</p>



<ul><li>Gather the list of features that are a part of the sprint.</li><li>Analyze the critical areas which have a high business impact.</li><li>Prepare the focused areas for SBTM.</li><li>Plan the Session-based testing when the features are ready to be tested.</li><li>Track everything and repeat the above steps in each sprint.</li></ul>



<p>This way, you get the highest benefit of the exploratory testing and increased productivity. Furthermore, it also helps in discovering a lot of major bugs and improves confidence for release to production.</p>



<h2 id="h-session-based-testing-and-automation"><span id="Session_Based_Testing_and_Automation">Session Based Testing and Automation</span></h2>



<p>As mentioned earlier, Session Based Testing is advanced version of exploratory testing. Exploratory testing doesn&#8217;t contain any scripts, test cases. However, session-based testing focuses on best practices. Now, you might be thinking that automation is not helpful in session-based testing. However, session-based testing can still utilize the power of automation. You can use the automation in SBT to speed up the preparation of input data. For example, if you have all the automation script ready and you have the session time defined, just before a ,few hours to start the session, you can start the automation script; this can save lot of your efforts that is required to create the input data.</p>



<p><p style="padding-bottom:30px">Testsigma, a no-code test automation, is built with superior test management features to aid your data-driven test automation. Read more about it here: <a href="https://website.testsigma.com/automated-data-driven-testing" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://website.testsigma.com/automated-data-driven-testing</a> </p></p>



<p><button class="btn bg-primary cta-btn" style="display: block;
    margin: auto;"><a href="https://github.com/testsigmahq/testsigma" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color:#fff">Start automating your data-driven automated tests from your exploratory test sessions, in minutes, with Testsigma</a></button></p>



<br><h2 id="h-advantage-of-using-automation-in-session-based-testing"><span id="Advantage_of_using_Automation_in_Session_Based_Testing">Advantage of using Automation in Session Based Testing</span></h2>



<ul><li><strong>Saves Time and effort:</strong> Automation can save a lot of repeated works to prepare the input data.</li><li><strong>Reduces the last-minute surprises:</strong> While creating an automation script you might have gone through the data creation process. Any issues or hiccups that you faced during the data creation process are already resolved (or else automation scripts will fail). Since you have completed the automation scripts, the data creation process is smooth. Whereas in the manual approach, when you do it for the first time, then you may encounter a lot of issues, and resolving these issues may impact the SBT.</li></ul>



<p>As we discussed in the previous section, exploratory testing requires professional testers to yield greater results. Similarly, the automation script also requires expertise in programming languages. However, this is true only if you stick to code-based automation tools such as Selenium, Cypress etc. There are lot of codeless automation tools which can save your time &#8211; Testsigma is one such tool. Anyone who knows about testing can just start the automation without worrying about coding. The Artificial Intelligence mechanism in Testsigma can also help you to reduce the maintenance of your automation scripts.</p>



<h2 id="h-summary"><span id="Summary">Summary</span></h2>



<p>Session-based testing is derived from exploratory testing. SBT makes exploratory testing more effective and structured. SBT involves elements &#8211; mission, charter, session, debriefing, session reporting, and parsing results. The components are designed to help both testers and management. SBT can be easily integrated into the agile framework to get the most out of it. Having automation scripts for data creation makes SBT more powerful and productive.</p>



<h2 id="h-session-based-testing-frequently-asked-questions"><span id="Session-Based_Testing_Frequently_Asked_Questions">Session-Based Testing Frequently Asked Questions</span></h2>



<h4 id="h-what-are-the-benefits-of-sbt"><span id="What_are_the_benefits_of_SBT">What are the benefits of SBT?</span></h4>



<p>Session based testing uses the benefits of exploratory testing. It overcomes the cons of exploratory testing, which makes Session testing more powerful. Also, it reduces any distractions for testers and increases productivity.</p>



<h3 id="h-is-session-based-testing-an-agile-methodology"><span id="Is_session-based_testing_an_agile_methodology">Is session-based testing an agile methodology?</span></h3>



<p>Session-based testing is a structured approach. Though it is not part of agile methodology using the agile framework flexibility, you can easily integrate session-based testing into the agile methodology.</p>



<h3 id="h-does-session-based-testing-require-automation"><span id="Does_session-based_testing_require_automation">Does session-based testing require automation?</span></h3>



<p>It is not mandatory to use automation in session-based testing, but you can always automate the important use cases found during the sessions.</p>



<h3 id="h-what-is-an-exploratory-testing-session"><span id="What_is_an_exploratory_testing_session">What is an exploratory testing session?</span></h3>



<p>Session-based testing is referred to as exploratory testing sessions or session testing.</p>


Session Based Testing Technique In Software Testing

Salesforce Regression Testing Benefits and Best Practices

Salesforce Regression Testing: Benefits and Best Practices


<p>When it comes to software development, the ultimate goal is to deliver a product that meets customer requirements, functions flawlessly, and provides a seamless user experience. Achieving this requires a well-structured testing process that includes various stages, one of which is the test case review.</p>



<p>Test case reviews play a vital role in validating the effectiveness and thoroughness of the test cases. In this blog, we&#8217;ll delve into the test case review process to ensure that your testing journey is a success. Let&#8217;s get started.</p>



<div id="toc_container" class="no_bullets"><p class="toc_title">Table Of Contents</p><ul class="toc_list"><ul><li><a href="#Why_is_Test_Case_Review_Important"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">0.1</span> Why is Test Case Review Important?</a></li><li><a href="#Who_Reviews_the_Test_Cases"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">0.2</span> Who Reviews the Test Cases?</a></li><li><a href="#What_is_Test_Case_Repository"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">0.3</span> What is Test Case Repository?</a></li></ul></li><li><a href="#Benefits_of_Test_Case_Repository"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">1</span> Benefits of Test Case Repository</a></li><li><a href="#Test_Case_Review_Process"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">2</span> Test Case Review Process</a></li><li><a href="#Techniques_for_Test_Case_Review"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">3</span> Techniques for Test Case Review</a><ul><li><a href="#Test_Case_Reviews_During_Test_Automation"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">3.1</span> Test Case Reviews During Test Automation</a></li><li><a href="#Testsigma_A_Test_Automation_Solution_with_a_Built-in_Test_Case_Review_Process"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">3.2</span> Testsigma: A Test Automation Solution with a Built-in Test Case Review Process</a></li></ul></li><li><a href="#Tips_While_Reviewing_Test_Cases"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">4</span> Tips While Reviewing Test Cases</a></li><li><a href="#Factors_to_Consider_During_Test_Case_Review"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">5</span> Factors to Consider During Test Case Review</a></li><li><a href="#Common_Mistakes_During_Test_Case_Review"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">6</span> Common Mistakes During Test Case Review</a></li><li><a href="#Classifying_Defects_Based_on_the_Test_Case_Review"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">7</span> Classifying Defects Based on the Test Case Review</a></li><li><a href="#Summary"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">8</span> Summary</a></li><li><a href="#Frequently_Asked_Questions"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">9</span> Frequently Asked Questions</a><ul><li><a href="#Why_do_we_review_test_cases"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">9.1</span> Why do we review test cases?</a></li></ul></li></ul></div>
<h3 id="h-why-is-test-case-review-important"><span id="Why_is_Test_Case_Review_Important">Why is Test Case Review Important?</span></h3>



<p>Test cases are the basic units over which the complete testing process is executed. Having perfect test cases ensures perfect testing and high standards of quality in the application. Test case reviews help make them better as:</p>



<ul><li>During the test case review &#8211; two viewpoints are incorporated, if anything is missed by one, that can be provided by the other.</li><li>Test case reviews ensures that all team members are on the same page about the feature and requirements</li><li>During test case reviews, any discrepancies in understanding the requirements can be sorted out sooner, when the costs of rectifying are less, rather than later, when the costs could be exponentially high.</li></ul>



<h3 id="h-who-reviews-the-test-cases"><span id="Who_Reviews_the_Test_Cases">Who Reviews the Test Cases?</span></h3>



<p>The test case review process is done by the test lead or other test engineers in the team. After the author finishes creating test cases, they will be sent to the other test engineers, known as <strong>reviewers</strong>, for the test case review process. The reviewer verifies the correctness, accuracy, flow, and coverage of the test case.</p>



<h3 id="h-what-is-test-case-repository"><span id="What_is_Test_Case_Repository">What is Test Case Repository?</span></h3>



<p>A test case repository is a centralized storage for all the test cases that the test lead or test manager authored, reviewed, and authorized. It includes test cases that contain all the key possibilities of workflow execution, thus ensuring all variations in the application and test scenarios are covered.</p>



<h2 id="h-benefits-of-test-case-repository"><span id="Benefits_of_Test_Case_Repository">Benefits of Test Case Repository</span></h2>



<p>Imagine that every QA member maintains their own document for test cases. This will only lead to confusion when you work as a team, and there is a high chance of losing track of the <a href="https://website.testsigma.com/testplan">test plan</a> and execution. If you don&#8217;t maintain a proper test case repository, then it might lead to missed execution of test cases, patchy test coverage, and, eventually, poor product quality. That is why maintaining a test case repository is highly important for medium to large projects.</p>



<p>Besides, testing is a repeatable procedure. Reusing test cases is one of the major advantages, as it helps save time. In large projects, frequent testing will be required. And, when you have a test case repository, it will let you reuse your previous test resources wherever required and accelerate the testing process. Also, maintaining a test repository is quite easy!</p>



<p>Here are some of the top benefits of a test case repository:</p>



<ol><li>All the authorized test cases will be stored in a test case repository.</li><li>QA team will always have a complete backup of the test case repository in case of a crash that might affect the application.</li><li>It can be easily updated whenever required.</li><li>It helps save time.</li><li>Testers&#8217; test case creation skills can be assessed on a performance basis.</li><li>It helps achieve comprehensive test coverage.</li><li>It helps with test reports.</li><li>The status of test cases can be easily displayed via a chart with values like pass, fail, or not tested.</li><li>Boosts application quality and knowledge.</li></ol>



<h2 id="h-test-case-review-process"><span id="Test_Case_Review_Process"><strong>Test Case Review Process</strong></span></h2>



<p style="padding-bottom:30px">The test case review process is as follows,</p><br>



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/blog-assets-staging.testsigma.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/Frame-48095881.png" alt="Test Case Review Process" class="wp-image-29719" width="700" height="400"/></figure></div>



<br><ol><li>All the test cases must be sent for the review process only after the test engineers complete writing test cases. This way, the other person in the team will not be disturbed.</li><li>As soon as the author completes writing test cases, it must be sent to the reviewer for the test case review process.</li><li>Now, the reviewer reviews the test case and checks the correctness, flow, and test coverage.</li><li>After a thorough review, if the reviewer finds any mistakes in the test cases, they will put it in a different document. This document is called the Review Document, and the reviewer sends it back to the author.</li><li>Now, the author will have to take a look at all the review comments and must start working on the changes if it is necessary and send it back to the reviewer once again for the review process. This correction process will keep going on until both the author and the reviewer are satisfied with the test cases.</li><li>Now, if the review is successful after the author makes changes, the reviewer sends it to the test lead or the test manager for final approval.</li><li>In the approval process, the testing team will also be kept in the loop to understand the seriousness of their jobs.</li><li>Once the test cases are written, reviewed, and approved, they will be stored in a centralized location, which is called the test case repository.</li></ol>



<h2 id="h-techniques-for-test-case-review"><span id="Techniques_for_Test_Case_Review">Techniques for Test Case Review</span></h2>



<p>The following are some of the test case review techniques,</p>



<ul><li>Self-review</li><li>Peer review</li><li>Supervisory review</li></ul>



<p><strong>1. Self-Review</strong></p>



<p>As the name suggests, self-review is done by the testers who create the test cases. By looking at the Software Requirement Specification (SRS) or Functional Requirement Document (FRD), they can check if all requirements are met.</p>



<p><strong>2. Peer Review</strong></p>



<p>Peer review is done by other testers who are not much familiar with the application under test and have not created the test cases. It is also called the Maker and Checker review.</p>



<p><strong>3. Supervisory Review</strong></p>



<p>Supervisory review is done by a test lead or test manager who is higher in rank than the tester who created the test cases and has a broad knowledge of the requirements and application under test.</p>



<h3 id="h-test-case-reviews-during-test-automation"><span id="Test_Case_Reviews_During_Test_Automation">Test Case Reviews During Test Automation</span></h3>



<p>Test case reviews are just as important during <a href="https://website.testsigma.com/automated-testing" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">test automation</a> as they are during manual testing. In fact, they can be even more critical in the automation context because once test cases are automated, any defects in the test cases can be repeated quickly and consistently.</p>



<h3 id="h-testsigma-a-test-automation-solution-with-a-built-in-test-case-review-process"><span id="Testsigma_A_Test_Automation_Solution_with_a_Built-in_Test_Case_Review_Process">Testsigma: A Test Automation Solution with a Built-in Test Case Review Process</span></h3>



<p><a href="https://website.testsigma.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Testsigma</a>, a powerful low-code test automation platform that lets you automate mobile, web, and desktop apps and APIs in one place, is built with the understanding that test case reviews are important and, thus, is built in with a review workflow. Instead of using different tools for test case review and test automation, you can use Testsigma, a cloud platform that supports both in one place. </p>



<p>With Testsigma, you can review test cases, share feedback, and eventually execute automated tests on the cloud. How to do it? It&#8217;s simple and easy. Let&#8217;s see the steps below (Assuming you already have an account on Testsigma). If you don&#8217;t have one, you can signup for one here: <a href="https://website.testsigma.com/signup" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://website.testsigma.com/signup</a></p>



<p><p style="padding-bottom:30px">1. Go to, <strong><em>Settings </em>&#8211; <em>Preferences</em> &#8211; <em>Test Case Review Management</em></strong>.</p></p>



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter is-resized"><img loading="lazy" src="https://images.storychief.com/account_36412/image_802a182da429f563e6846afd1a728479_2000.png" alt="Testsigma" width="800" height="400"/></figure></div>



<p><p style="padding-top:30px;padding-bottom:30px">2. Now, enable the <em>Test Case Review Management</em> option. This enables test managers to review test cases created by the test engineers and share feedback all in one place.2. You can also enable <em>Self-Review Management</em> if needed. This will enable developers to review their test cases on their own</p></p>



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter is-resized"><img loading="lazy" src="https://images.storychief.com/account_36412/untitled_e12e55083c8d5abcc34621838502f991_2000.png" alt="Testsigma - Test Case Review" width="800" height="400"/></figure></div>



<p style="padding-top:30px;padding-bottom:30px"><strong>Example</strong> &#8211; Consider you&#8217;ve written test steps to automate using Testsigma&#8217;s <a href="https://website.testsigma.com/blog/natural-language-processing-nlp-based-test-automation/">NLP</a>. Now, to send test cases for review, you&#8217;ll have to click <strong><em>Submit For Review.</em></strong></p>



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter is-resized"><img loading="lazy" src="https://images.storychief.com/account_36412/image_9a59f53e3b24a42a249ca33b601341bc_2000.png" alt="Testsigma" width="800" height="150"/></figure></div>



<p><p style="padding-bottom:30px;padding-top:30px">Once you click the button, you&#8217;ll get a dropdown where you can select the name of the test lead or test engineer who will review the test cases.</p></p>



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter is-resized"><img loading="lazy" src="https://images.storychief.com/account_36412/image_38fdd162fed01c5b5d535157ed157bf4_2000.png" alt="Test Case Review" width="500" height="400"/></figure></div>



<p><p style="padding-top:30px;padding-bottom:30px">On clicking submit, the reviewer will receive an email notification. Further, you can track the status in the dashboard using the <strong><em>Submitted For Review</em></strong> section. Now, the test lead can review and approve the test cases or send them back to the author for rework.</p></p>



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter is-resized"><img loading="lazy" src="https://images.storychief.com/account_36412/image_b2d0846a51b1c12bc3ce9a70abd8afcd_2000.png" alt="Testsigma - Test Automation Tool" width="600" height="600"/></figure></div>



<p style="padding-top:30px">The reviewer or test lead can also track the review requests in the <strong><em>Waiting For Your Review</em></strong> in the dashboard. You can repeat this process until the test case is approved.</p><br><p><button class="btn bg-primary cta-btn" style="display: block;
    margin: auto;"><a href="https://website.testsigma.com/signup" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color:#fff">Signup for the 30-day free trial for Testsigma Cloud</a></button></p><br>
<p>Automation testing using Testsigma makes the entire testing process 5x faster and saves time, cost, and effort required for testing.</p>



<h2 id="h-tips-while-reviewing-test-cases"><span id="Tips_While_Reviewing_Test_Cases">Tips While Reviewing Test Cases</span></h2>



<p>While reviewing the test cases, keep these tips in mind,</p>



<ul><li>During the review process, it is recommended to use version numbers. Example &#8211; If you&#8217;re reviewing the test cases for the first time, then mark it as v.1. And if the changes are done and re-reviewed, mark it as v.1.1. This helps identify the most recent test case, and the entire record of the changes will be maintained.</li><li>Always meet the tester face to face to make sure that they understand the process.</li><li>Run the test cases on the System Under Test (SUT) to better understand the results and actions involved in the test execution.</li><li>Have a copy of the SRS/FRD during the review process for reference.</li><li>If you are not sure about a test case and its expected result, it is best advised to talk to your client or your test lead before proceeding.</li></ul>



<h2 id="h-factors-to-consider-during-test-case-review"><span id="Factors_to_Consider_During_Test_Case_Review">Factors to Consider During Test Case Review</span></h2>



<p>Some factors to consider during the test case review are:</p>



<ul><li>Are test cases developed with the intention of finding bugs? Are the testing requirements clear?</li><li>Identify the areas of potential impact and put them to the test.</li><li>The expected result or behavior is correctly documented.</li><li>The test data is correct and covers all the possible domain classes. Check if the test data covers both positive and negative scenarios.</li><li>Aim for maximum test coverage.</li></ul>



<h2 id="h-common-mistakes-during-test-case-review"><span id="Common_Mistakes_During_Test_Case_Review">Common Mistakes During Test Case Review</span></h2>



<p>Some of the common mistakes you should avoid during the test case review process,</p>



<ol><li><strong>Spelling errors: </strong>Avoid spelling mistakes as they might lead to confusion and can make statements difficult to understand.</li><li><strong>Grammar:</strong> When the grammar is incorrect, it is possible for misinterpretation of the test cases, which will lead to wrong results.</li><li><strong>Replication: </strong>Remove duplicate test cases, if any. When two or more test cases are doing the same thing, you can merge them into one, which helps save time and storage.</li><li><strong>Standard/Guidelines: </strong>It is crucial to check if all the standards and guidelines are followed during the test case review process.</li><li><strong>Redundancy: </strong>When a test case is outdated due to changes in requirements, then it is best to remove such test scenarios.</li><li><strong>Languages:</strong> Test cases must be simple and easy to understand.</li><li><strong>Format of Template: </strong>When you follow a proper template format, it will be easy for you to add or modify the test cases later on, and they will look organized as well.</li></ol>



<h2 id="h-classifying-defects-based-on-the-test-case-review"><span id="Classifying_Defects_Based_on_the_Test_Case_Review">Classifying Defects Based on the Test Case Review</span></h2>



<p>If the checklist is properly utilized and the defects are uncovered, you must classify the defects using the following categories,</p>



<ul><li>No test data</li><li>Incomplete test cases</li><li>Incorrect test data</li><li>Typos</li><li>Inconsistent language</li><li>Incorrect expected behavior</li><li>Grammatical mistakes</li><li>Incomplete results</li><li>Missing negative test cases</li></ul>



<p>If these defects aren&#8217;t properly reviewed, chances are related bugs could creep into production. And, when production issues are reported, it will impact the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Software_quality" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">software quality</a>. And resolving the bugs at this stage is more costly than fixing them in the earlier stages.</p>



<h2 id="h-summary"><span id="Summary">Summary</span></h2>



<p>Implementing a test case review process and checklist is a critical step in ensuring that software testing is carried out efficiently and effectively. A well-structured review process helps to identify potential defects in test cases early on, which can save time, effort, and costs in the long run. By following a comprehensive checklist, testers can ensure that all aspects of the test case have been considered and that the testing process is thorough and comprehensive. Ultimately, it helps improve the quality and reliability of the software being tested.</p>



<h2 id="h-frequently-asked-questions"><span id="Frequently_Asked_Questions">Frequently Asked Questions</span></h2>



<h3 id="h-why-do-we-review-test-cases"><span id="Why_do_we_review_test_cases">Why do we review test cases?</span></h3>



<p>When you don&#8217;t do a test review process, then chances are you might miss out on certain test scenarios, accuracy might be less, and the test engineers might not take their role seriously. Thus, to avoid these issues, test case reviews are important.</p>


Test Case Review Process And Checklist

Compliance Testing Everything You Need to Know in 2023

Compliance Testing: Everything You Need to Know


<p>Let&#8217;s talk about something important in the realm of software testing: Robustness testing. ISTQB states, “Robustness testing is the degree to which a component or system can function correctly in the presence of invalid inputs or stressful environmental conditions.&#8221;This is when we test a system or program to see how well it can handle unexpected scenarios and mishaps. </p>



<p>We want to ensure that our software can keep soldiering even if it encounters unexpected situations, like a power outage or memory overload. Nobody wants their system crashing during an important project! </p>



<p>So, in this blog, let&#8217;s look at this testing technique in detail and why it matters so much in ensuring top-notch performance from our software applications.</p>



<div id="toc_container" class="no_bullets"><p class="toc_title">Table Of Contents</p><ul class="toc_list"><li><a href="#What_is_Robustness_Testing"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">1</span> What is Robustness Testing?</a><ul><li><a href="#Why_is_Robustness_Testing_important"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">1.1</span> Why is Robustness Testing important?</a></li></ul></li><li><a href="#Types_of_Testing_to_Ensure_Robustness_of_Test_Suites"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">2</span> Types of Testing to Ensure Robustness of Test Suites</a></li><li><a href="#Robustness_Testing_Scenarios"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">3</span> Robustness Testing Scenarios</a></li><li><a href="#Should_Robustness_Testing_be_Automated"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">4</span> Should Robustness Testing be Automated?</a></li><li><a href="#Robustness_Testing_Tools"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">5</span> Robustness Testing Tools</a></li><li><a href="#Benefits_of_Robustness_Testing"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">6</span> Benefits of Robustness Testing</a></li><li><a href="#Summary"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">7</span> Summary</a></li><li><a href="#Frequently_Asked_Questions"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">8</span> Frequently Asked Questions</a><ul><li><a href="#What_tests_the_robustness_of_a_test"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">8.1</span> What tests the robustness of a test?</a></li><li><a href="#What_is_an_example_of_robustness_testing"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">8.2</span> What is an example of robustness testing?</a></li></ul></li></ul></div>
<h2 id="h-what-is-robustness-testing"><span id="What_is_Robustness_Testing"><strong>What is Robustness Testing?</strong></span></h2>



<p>Robustness testing is software testing that evaluates the capability of a system to operate correctly in unexpected or abnormal conditions. This type of testing is designed to identify possible failures due to unexpected inputs or errors, such as invalid data, network interruptions, or power failures. The goal of robustness testing is to ensure that the system can handle errors and maintain its functions without crashing or becoming unstable, thereby maximizing the software&#8217;s reliability and reducing the risk of failure.</p>



<h3 id="h-why-is-robustness-testing-important"><span id="Why_is_Robustness_Testing_important"><strong>Why is Robustness Testing important?</strong></span></h3>



<p>Here are ten important reasons why robustness testing is important: </p>



<p>1. It uncovers hidden bugs that can cause malfunctions. </p>



<p>2. Improves the reliability and quality of software. </p>



<p>3. Increases customer satisfaction by preventing software crashes. </p>



<p>4. Helps to predict real-world scenarios for better preparedness. </p>



<p>5. Validates the security features of the software. </p>



<p>6. Identifies code weaknesses and restrictions that can be optimized. </p>



<p>7. Enhances the overall software performance across various platforms. </p>



<p>8. Helps to save time and money by avoiding costly bug fixes. </p>



<p>9. Promotes software longevity since it can withstand changes in operating environments. </p>



<p>10. Boosts user confidence in the software by assuring stable and consistent performance.</p>



<h2 id="h-types-of-testing-to-ensure-robustness-of-test-suites"><span id="Types_of_Testing_to_Ensure_Robustness_of_Test_Suites"><strong>Types of Testing to Ensure Robustness of Test Suites</strong></span></h2>



<p>Different types of testing must be done to ensure the robustness of test suites. Here we give you a list:</p>



<ol><li><strong>Functional testing </strong>&#8211; Verifies the software&#8217;s desired behavior under various scenarios. Functional testing conducts numerous tests that examine all software functionalities.</li><li><strong>Regression testing </strong>&#8211; Ensures that software changes do not result in unexpected outcomes in previously tested functionality. Regression testing ensures the software application works correctly even after changes or updates.</li><li><strong>Load testing </strong>&#8211; Examines software performance under various loads and conditions to ensure it can support expected user volume. So this type of testing simulates production loads by subjecting software to a series of tests to ensure it can handle expected traffic.</li><li><strong>Fuzz testing</strong>(Fuzzing Test) &#8211; Sends malicious input to the software to discover vulnerabilities and unexpected behaviors. After conducting fuzz testing, the program is observed for crashes, failed code assertions, and possible memory leaks.</li><li><strong>Mutation testing </strong>&#8211; Changes the software&#8217;s code to see if the test suite can detect these changes and identify issues. Mutation testing aims to detect coding or input flaws that can result in incorrect program output.</li><li><strong>Black-box testing</strong> &#8211; Tests the software&#8217;s external behavior without knowing its internal workings. The tester knows the intended output of the software but lacks knowledge of its internal workings. Functionalities, user interface usability, and conformity with external standards can all be tested using black-box testing.</li><li><strong>Security testing</strong> &#8211; Verifies the software&#8217;s resistance to attacks and potential vulnerabilities. Conducting security testing can help in identifying probable security threats.</li><li><strong>Use case testing</strong> &#8211; Examines the software&#8217;s functionality from the perspective of user scenarios. Conducting Use case testing can help in identifying potential usability issues.</li><li><strong>Negative testing </strong>&#8211; Tests how the software behaves when presented with invalid inputs and unexpected situations. It can reveal input handling or validation mistakes that may result in data loss or leave security gaps.</li><li><strong>Stress testing</strong> &#8211; Evaluate the software&#8217;s increased workload capabilities under heavy load and usage. So, it can detect concerns during intense pressure or heavy workload.</li></ol>



<h2 id="h-robustness-testing-scenarios"><span id="Robustness_Testing_Scenarios"><strong>Robustness Testing Scenarios</strong></span></h2>



<p>Specific scenarios can cause software failure due to a lack of software robustness. The scenarios that can be tested are:</p>



<p>1. Test for handling large amounts of data. </p>



<p>2. Test for unexpected inputs and edge cases. </p>



<p>3. Test for system failures and recovery. </p>



<p>4. Test for long periods of sustained usage. </p>



<p>5. Test for compatibility with various hardware and software environments.</p>



<h2 id="h-should-robustness-testing-be-automated"><span id="Should_Robustness_Testing_be_Automated"><strong>Should Robustness Testing be Automated?</strong></span></h2>



<p>The robustness of an application should be tested. But should you automate those tests? Only when you know, automation helps you in some way &#8211; it could be to save efforts, time, or resources.</p>



<h2 id="h-robustness-testing-tools"><span id="Robustness_Testing_Tools"><strong>Robustness Testing Tools</strong></span></h2>



<p>One of the most important factors for achieving an ROI on test automation is the tool used for test automation. Robustness testing tools are <a href="https://website.testsigma.com/blog/best-software-testing-tools-qas-are-using-in-2022/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">software testing tools</a> that help automate the robustness tests for an application. Examples of such tools include:</p>



<ul><li><strong>Testsigma</strong> is a cloud-based <a href="https://website.testsigma.com/automated-testing" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">test automation</a> platform that enables teams to automate their tests for web, mobile, APIs, and desktop applications. With Testsigma, teams can easily create and edit automated tests using simple English. Thus, It allows testers to focus on testing and defect hunting while the automated tests run in the background. Testsigma offers enhanced security, an extensive test lab, project and review management, powerful reporting capabilities, and <a href="https://website.testsigma.com/products" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">more.</a> It also offers a range of features for test management, including test case management, test suite creation, and test execution reporting. </li><br>
<li><strong>JMeter</strong> is an open-source load-testing tool that helps create web application test plans. It simulates a heavy load on a server, network, or object to test its performance under different conditions. JMeter can measure the performance of static resources such as HTML and dynamic resources such as JSP, Servlets, and AJAX. It supports various platforms like Windows, Mac OS X, Linux/Unix, etc. With the help of the JMeter approach, users can create test plans with multiple threads and configure them to run at different intervals. This helps in analyzing the application&#8217;s performance under varying loads and conditions.</li><br><li><strong>Selenium</strong> is an open-source automation testing tool used to test web applications. It can automate user interactions with a web application by clicking buttons, entering text into forms, and verifying its output. Selenium supports multiple programming languages and platforms, including Java, JavaScript, Ruby, Python, and C#. Using Selenium&#8217;s APIs and libraries, testers can create automated tests for their web applications that can be run repeatedly without manual intervention.</li><br><li><strong>Appium</strong> is an open-source test automation framework for mobile applications. It allows developers to write automated tests for their apps on multiple mobile platforms, including Android and iOS. Appium supports many devices and provides an intuitive API that makes setting up and running tests quickly easy. With Appium, developers can write tests in any language they prefer, such as Java, Python, Ruby, or JavaScript.</li><br><li><strong>Loadmeter</strong> is a cloud-based platform that provides an efficient approach to helping organizations monitor their application performance. It helps organizations identify and address potential issues before they become critical. Loadmeter supports various platforms, including Windows, Linux, Mac OS X, and Android. With its intuitive interface and powerful analytics capabilities, Loadmeter helps organizations reduce downtime and improve the overall performance of their applications.</li></ul>



<h2 id="h-benefits-of-robustness-testing"><span id="Benefits_of_Robustness_Testing"><strong>Benefits of Robustness Testing</strong></span></h2>



<p>1. <strong>Ensures software reliability</strong>: Robustness testing identifies potential weaknesses in the system, making it more reliable and less prone to crashes or failures. </p>



<p>2.<strong> Enhanced user experience</strong>: Robustness testing ensures the software can withstand unexpected inputs and deliver optimal performance, improving user experience. </p>



<p>3. <strong>Reduced maintenance costs</strong>: Robustness testing helps identify potential issues early in the development process, thereby reducing maintenance costs. </p>



<p>4.<strong> Prevents data corruption</strong>: Robustness testing ensures the software can handle unexpected input data and prevent data corruption. </p>



<p>5.<strong> Increased security</strong>: Robustness testing ensures that the software can withstand security attacks, preventing unauthorized access or manipulation of data.</p>



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<h2 id="h-summary"><span id="Summary"><strong>Summary</strong></span></h2>



<p>In summary, this blog post on robustness testing provides valuable insights into various practical aspects such as executing tests, defining stress and load testing scenarios, and its benefits in bringing reliability and stability to software systems. A well-executed robustness testing improves the quality and instills confidence among the users while using critical applications.</p>



<h2 id="h-frequently-asked-questions"><span id="Frequently_Asked_Questions"><strong>Frequently Asked Questions</strong></span></h2>



<h3 id="h-what-tests-the-robustness-of-a-test"><span id="What_tests_the_robustness_of_a_test"><strong>What tests the robustness of a test?</strong></span></h3>



<p>The robustness of a test refers to its ability to perform consistently and accurately under various conditions, including different sample sizes, types of data, and potential measurement errors. To evaluate the robustness of a test, it must be subjected to several tests.</p>



<h3 id="h-what-is-an-example-of-robustness-testing"><span id="What_is_an_example_of_robustness_testing"><strong>What is an example of robustness testing?</strong></span></h3>



<p>Test an application&#8217;s ability to handle incorrect user input.</p>



<p>A user enters an<strong> invalid date</strong> format into a date field,(If the required format is &#8220;mm-dd-yyyy&#8221; and the user enters &#8220;dd-mm-yyyy&#8221; ). For example, the user enters the date field as 03-30-2023 instead 30-03-2023, and the application should be able to recognize this as an error.</p>



<p>Robustness testing ensures the application can handle any unexpected input without crashing or losing data.</p>


Robustness Testing in Software Testing - An Overview