Software Testing Strategies

In this information age where the world is driven by software, software testing plays a crucial role in the development lifecycle. This is not just for quality control or assurance; it’s also about eliminating flaws and errors. In such a situation, experts from software testing companies can help identify all the challenges faced during app development and take the best course of action. All of this is possible through an effective software testing strategy. It guides businesses through the testing process ensuring better outcomes with proper management of the resources and activities. 

In this article, we are going to discuss the fundamentals of software testing strategy, different types of testing procedures, and many more. We also provide you with a step-by-step guide to create a custom test plan for your project. 

Some researchers say nearly 70% of users uninstall apps due to unsatisfactory user experience, which can be caused by excessive memory usage or bugs interrupting usage. So, how should you eliminate the roadblocks to good software development? But before addressing test plans, you must know what businesses mean by software testing Quality Assurance.

1. What is a Software Testing Strategy?

Software Testing is a defined set of actions that must be taken to ensure the highest quality for a finished product/software. The methodology you adopt to test them is known as a software testing strategy. It is a set of guidelines that an internal QA department or an external QA team must follow to deliver the standard of quality you have established.

You may need to allocate extra time and resources if you decide that your project doesn’t need to be flawless. The best way to make software engineering’s testing methodology more effective is to optimize it. A software testing plan outlines what to do, when, and how to execute it to produce a high-quality final product.

All tiers of the technological stack must be tested as part of an effective software testing or quality assurance plan to ensure that the individual components and the complete system function without errors.

2. Software Testing Strategies

The greatest strategy to improve the efficiency of software engineering testing is to optimize the testing process. A software testing plan lays out the what, when, and how to ensure a high-quality final result. The following software testing methodologies, or combinations thereof, are commonly employed to accomplish this overarching goal:

2.1 Static Testing Strategy

When a system’s quality is being evaluated, without it being in action, a static test is being performed. Though it appears impossible at first glance, there are several methods for doing this.

• The goal of a static test is to find issues as soon as feasible by inspecting specific parts or aspects of a system. When a developer is done developing and releasing their code, they will examine it. This sort of check is known as desk-checking and is performed as a type of static testing. A review meeting in which objectives, architecture, and code are examined is another type of static test.
• By catching issues with the standards before they become system bugs, static tests may be a huge time and money saver.
• If a first pass at the code reveals any problems, it will save time and effort from having to develop, deploy, and operate the system.
• With the correct resources, you can do automated static testing. There is a bug-finding tool called Lint for C programmers and a tool called JTest for Java programmers. Both tools can be used to ensure that their programs adhere to a certain set of rules.
• It’s important to schedule static tests appropriately. The software testing process can benefit from a post-development assessment of requirements after the developers have completed the entire product’s coding.
• However, static tests contradict their own goal since testers cannot identify faults in existing code without actually executing the system. In this scenario, each piece of code needs to be reviewed by a developer before it is merged into the main code base.

In fact, not just technical staff but also other stakeholders must do static testing. Objectives need to be reviewed by industry experts, and designs need to be reviewed by system architects. Because of their expertise, testers’ comments are especially crucial because they may discover anomalies, omissions, unclear functioning, etc.

2.2 Structural Testing Strategy

Static tests are useful, but they are not enough. The most effective way to detect every software flaw is to put the code on actual hardware and run the whole system. Among the methods included in unit testing is the structural test.

• It’s also known as “white-box testing” since it’s conducted by experts in the devices and operating systems being tested.
• It is used to pinpoint specific problems in data flows by running tests on particular parts and interfaces.
• The use of automated, reusable test harnesses for the system under test is a prime instance. This harness enables programmers to generate structural test cases for components immediately after coding them. Later, during integration, they add the tests to the main components and the repository where the code resides.

Good test harnesses double as regression test suites since they execute tests every time new code is introduced.

By using BrowserStack, you may intensify and expand your software testing methodologies, allowing you to:

• Use Selenium for Regression Testing
• Visual Regression Testing with WebdriverIO, Playwright, Cypress,
• Nightwatch Js, and TestCafe.

Developing structural tests is a job best suited for developers or highly experienced testers since it requires a deep understanding of the code under test.

Developers and testers should collaborate to establish and routinely execute test harnesses. In particular, testers are valuable when it comes to creating test scripts and cases that can be used and shared by several teams.

2.3 Behavioral Testing Strategy

The goal of behavioral testing is to evaluate the actual behavior of a system rather than its theoretical workings. The main emphasis is on the processes, settings, functionality, and overall user experience. These tests, sometimes known as “black box” tests, are meant to simulate actual user interactions with a product like a website or app.

• It needs to accommodate a wide variety of users and use cases.
• Consider the system as a whole rather than its parts. This is because only after the system has been substantially created and integrated can its behavior be evaluated from the user’s perspective. Some types of behavioral testing can be automated, but most are still performed manually.
• To find bugs during manual testing, you must meticulously plan, create, and review your results.
• Automation testing, in contrast, performs repeated operations, such as regression tests, to ensure that the introduction of new code has not compromised the functionality of previously established features. To test a website, one may need to fill out a form with 50 different values. This process must be repeated with several different values. It’s more efficient to let a computer do it instead of investing time, human labor, and making mistakes.

Familiarity with the technical aspects of the system is indeed necessary for conducting effective behavioral tests. Software testers require some understanding of the commercial context of the product, particularly about the needs and expectations of the intended audience. They need to anticipate how people will interact with a website or app to design appropriate test cases.

2.4 Front-End Testing Strategy

The goal of the front-end testing approach is to see how well the application works and how the user interacts with it. At its core, it’s about analyzing the user experience of your software. It involves applying various software testing methods to assess visual components, responsiveness, and user engagement.

Among the many aspects and functionalities that can be tested with front-end testing are:

• Whether or not the way an app displays graphics on a screen is accurate.
• The ease with which buttons and other program features are located and used.
• How fast the various parts of the app react when the user clicks on them.
• The effect that various settings such as browsers and devices have on the look and feel of an app’s front end.

By focusing on these aspects, front-end testing sets itself apart from other types of testing, such as security testing, which checks programs for vulnerabilities, and back-end testing, which focuses on data processing procedures and administration that occur behind the scenes and are not visible to users. An all-inclusive end-to-end testing strategy that enhances an application’s functionality is created by testing all of these components.

3. Effective Quality Assurance and Software Testing Strategy

Businesses can’t afford to check QA at every step of the development process. It demands a significant amount of your time and effort. In the testing process, stringent quality check steps are necessary. A planned set of organizational actions is included in the development process of software. 

It also acts as a component of quality management. These measures aim to enhance the software development process by establishing quality standards to prevent mistakes and faults in the final output. There are ways you can strategize an effective software testing process like some of the ones, we will be discussing software testing strategies here,

3.1 Product Requirement Identification

Requirements analysis is a crucial step in determining if a system or software project will be successful. Functional and non-functional requirements are the two categories for dividing requirements. 

The first type of product requirement is Functional Requirements: These requirements are quite standard and enable systems to provide the fundamental services that the end-user has requested. Functional services are additional functionalities that can be added to the product. As specified in the contract, each of these features must be included in the system.

The second type of requirement is the Non-functional requirements: These are essentially the quality requirements specified in the project contract that the system must meet. Different projects prioritize these criteria differently or apply them to different degrees.

3.2 Define the Objectives of the Software Testing Strategy

The efficiency of the software and its capacity to reach the target, any failure to meet criteria, and carry out functions, and the cost of defects or errors, which refers to the expense involved in correcting the error, are a few examples of testing objectives.

The test strategy should explicitly state each of these objectives. Testing involves examining a program to identify errors and ensure it meets the requirements. Certain goals are expected from a software testing strategy such as;

• A good test case or successful testing indicates that a test helped identify and solve the errors present in the code. So, the first objective of software testing is to identify and fix bugs.
• These are necessary to improve the product, support you in effortlessly integrating all the upgrades, and assist you in resolving faults that impair software usability and user experience. While selecting the appropriate testing strategy, keep this in mind.

3.3 Develop a Testing Process

When working on a testing process, here are a few factors that you need to consider. 

3.3.1 Test Policy

The Test Policy is a document created for reference at the organizational level, processing the highest level of authority. It outlines the primary test objectives and test principles embraced by the company. Additionally, it describes how testing will be carried out and how a business evaluates the effectiveness and success of tests.

The process of testing policy development is not standardized, although it usually involves the following:

• The test policy differs from one company to another and the definition of testing evolves accordingly. 
• Security testing checks common benchmarks and requirements for software testing in projects. It also checks the definitions of test terms provided to help understand their use in other texts.
• Strategies for improving testing procedures and methods for measuring the effectiveness of testing.

3.3.2 Quality Management Plan

When developing a quality management plan, this document outlines how the project will achieve an acceptable level of product quality. Although it is not required, it will help you arrange all the work necessary to guarantee that the project fulfills the requirements and expectations of your client. This plan’s primary objective is to assist project managers and aid in process organization by outlining roles, responsibilities, and quality criteria that must be met. The software’s quality requirements should be included, along with information on how they should be evaluated.

When you create a strategy for quality management, ensure to include these quality management aspects;

1. Setting the right company goals
2. Make sure that satisfactory quality level, key project deliverables, and processes are achieved through this process
3. Actions for ensuring and controlling quality
4. Roles and responsibilities of Quality Assurance engineer.

3.3.3 Strategy Plan

The only reason behind creating a plan is to fill any missing gaps in the testing strategy. These gaps are identified and addressed, thanks to the comprehensive technical assessment that is a part of strategy planning. Therefore, technical reviewers must assess the suitability and quality of the test plan and test cases to raise the standard for software quality. It is essential to include key elements of the test strategy:

1. Testing parameters
2. Aim for high-standard testing goals
3. Budgetary restrictions
4. Status updates and communication
5. Evaluating metrics and measurements
6. Reporting and monitoring of errors
7. Industry Benchmarks & Configuration
8. Timeline and schedule for conducting tests
9. Identifying and eliminating risks

The test strategy is a component of the test plan in a small project. However, the PM must create a test strategy as a distinct, static document for a bigger project, from which each test plan can be further expanded.

3.3.4 Test Cases

Each test has a case attached to it. A good test strategy document can help you understand the test cases in depth, strategize the solution, plan the testing scope, and then manage the test coverage with the help of testing tools. 

The QA team will perform different types of testing like automation testing, load testing, performance testing, behavioral testing, black box testing, beta testing, stress testing, static testing, formal testing, regression testing, unit testing, and user acceptance testing to simplify the testing process

3.4 Technical Review

To conduct formal technical reviews, you can find errors that haven’t yet been found. Software testing becomes more efficient when effective technical reviews are conducted beforehand, reducing the overall development time of software.

Software engineers engage in this activity to identify logical and functional flaws as they first appear. A group meeting called an FTR is when participants in certain roles check that the software being built complies with established standards and specifications.

3.5 Automated Testing

When it comes to automated testing, there are a variety of test tools available, including many different test automation tools. Both open-source and for-profit options are available in this domain. The most popular tools worth checking out initially include Selenium, Katalon Studio, Unified Functional Testing, and several other options. Although automated testing can be used in typical Agile workflows it is also a component of the DevOps approach and continuous integration practice.

Here is what Twitter users say about automation testing.

3.6 Continuous Integration and Continuous Deployment

CI/CD is a popular process of software development. Developers are required to integrate changes into a product daily following the CI development practice. Each time a piece of code is modified, it undergoes “integration tests” to aid in detecting flaws and errors more quickly. To make your code reliable, it’s a good idea to combine CI with automated testing.

The Agile concepts are believed to have evolved into continuous delivery (CD). With this approach, you can rapidly and sustainably introduce changes to your clients. Without requiring quick release iterations, CD enables the commitment of new code as soon as it is available. Normally, any update that passes the tests is deployed automatically. High levels of testing and deployment automation help to achieve this.

Here is what Twitter users say about continuous integration and continuous deployment.

4. Key Components Of A Software Testing Strategy

To validate and confirm an array of functions, a test strategy specifies the testing effort, domain, settings, and tools. Calendars, resource allocations, and data on staff usage are all included in this strategy. The test strategy document has many components similar to other testing documents, including:

4.1 Scope and Overview

The document explaining the test strategy begins with a scope and overview. It clarifies the targeted audience, reviewers, and approvers within the product overview. Important things to consider for this module are as mentioned below:

• Make sure to include a summary of the project and details about who should use this page.
• Make sure to include details like who will review and provide their approval to the document.
• Outline all the tests that will take place, from planning to execution, and include a schedule that corresponds to the project schedule as a whole.

4.2 Testing Methodology

The following section of the test strategy document outlines the testing methodology, which lists various levels of tests, testing methods, team member’s responsibilities, and roles. Not documenting the test plan correctly may lead to mistakes and miscommunication. Below are the steps followed in this module:

• Explain why each of the test types listed in the plan—unit, integration testing, system testing, regression testing, installation/uninstallation, usability testing, load testing, performance testing, and security testing—should be executed. 
• Include information about the test owner, their responsibilities, the testing approach, the start date, the testing strategy, and any relevant details about the automation strategy and tool.

4.3 Testing Environment Specifications

Testing Environment Specification is an essential part of the document that outlines the test strategy. We are well aware of how crucial it is to define the requirements for test data accurately. Therefore, the test strategy document includes clear guidance on how to create test data. This module provides details on different test environments needed for different test scenarios along with the necessary setup. To further guarantee that data is not lost due to programming or coding problems, backup and restore procedures are also included.

4.4 Testing Tools

The test strategy document is incomplete without details on testing tools, including automation and test management tools needed for test execution. The approaches and technologies required for security, performance, and load testing depend on the specifics of the commercial or open-source product and its capacity to retain users.

4.5 Criteria and Metrics 

The predefined conditions, standards, and parameters that help determine whether the code or the software application has passed the test are specified in the criteria and metrics module of your testing strategy documentation.

4.6 Risk Management

Monitoring potential risks and assessment of their chances, implementing actions to reduce the impact of those risks, and developing strategies to address those risks that cannot be avoided. The concepts of risk management for testing are laid forth here since, like any other activity, quality assurance has inherent risks.

4.7 Review And Approvals

The Testing Strategy Document concludes with the review and approval section. The test plan document is reviewed by the business, development, project management, and system administration teams after it specifies all the linked testing operations. It underlines the need to record modifications and reviews by enhancements to the testing process.

5. Other Effective Software Testing Strategies

A healthy software testing process or quality assurance strategy requires tests at all technology stacks and levels to ensure that every part of testing activities is validated. The entire system of software testing system works correctly from the perspective of developers and testers. Software testing strategies must include the following:

5.1 Allocate Time for Fixing

As soon as the flaws are found, it’s critical to allocate time for the developers to find resolutions for the problems. The business also requires time to retest the fixes. In the process of creating a strategy, start with allocating time for fixing.

5.2 Resolving Consistent Issues First

Develop a culture that will encourage developers and testers to make changes to address issues that improve the app’s performance. If you want to save time and effort on communication, start establishing a testing strategy between them. All aspects of testing and fixing involve collaboration. Software testing and fixing are all about collaboration. Although it is important for the development team not to waste time on a wild goose chase, it is equally important that bugs are not just shuffled back and forth.

5.3 Manual Testing Process

A manual test must be exploratory since an automated test suite should be used when it is possible to write down or script any issue in precise words. The testers must detect bugs without a script because real-world use of the software won’t follow a script. A lot of test teams prefer to script manual software testing so testers follow a set of steps and work their way through a set of predefined software testing tasks. This misses the point of manual testing. If something could be written down or scripted in exact terms, it could be automated and belong in the automated suite.

Real-world use of the software testing will not be scripted, thus the team of testers must be free to probe and break things without a script.

5.4 Promote Clarity

You must write a bug report that encourages clarity rather than confusion. However, a developer must also make an effort to communicate clearly with others. Reporting bugs and asking for more information could create unnecessary overhead costs. A good bug report could save time by avoiding miscommunication or a need for more communication. In the same way, a bad bug report could lead to a fast dismissal by a developer. These could create problems. Anyone reporting bugs should make it a point to create informative bug reports. However, it is also integral for a developer to go out of the way to effectively communicate as well.

5.5 Periodic Testing

Periodic tests help to avoid massive backlogs from issues that keep on accumulating and depleting the morale of developers because of the apps. The same as all other forms of software testing, manual software testing will work best when it occurs often throughout the software development process in the project, in general, weekly or bi-weekly. This helps in preventing huge backlogs of problems from building up and crushing morale. Frequent testing is considered the best approach.

Testing and fixing software could be tricky, subtle, and even political. Nevertheless, as long as one can anticipate and recognize common issues, things can be kept running smoothly. The ideal strategy is frequently testing.

6. Factors to Consider In Choosing Software Testing Strategies

When picking a suitable software testing strategy for your project, you need to keep a few factors in mind. Let’s discuss them. 

6.1 Risk

Risk management is paramount during testing software projects, thus considering the risks and the risk levels are of massive importance. For a well-established app that’s slowly evolving, regression testing is a critical risk. That is why regression-averse strategies make a lot of sense. This means it works well for apps that keep evolving through regular upgrades. For a new app, a risk analysis could reveal various risks if you choose a risk-based analytical strategy.

6.2 Test Strategy Objectives

The test plans are developed with software testing objectives. The testing strategy should created in a way that meets the project objectives and stakeholders’ requirements. If the objective is to look for as many defects as possible with less up-front time and effort invested, a dynamic test strategy makes sense.

6.3 Skills

Skills are the most important during software testing. Determine what skills you will need to fulfill specific testing requirements and then enlist testers and QA analysts that fit the role. Software testing strategies aren’t just meant to be chosen but executed as well. So, you will need a testing team consisting of various skills and expertise. A standard-compliant test strategy is a smart option when lacking skills and time in the team to create a testing approach.

6.4 Product

Different products have different specifications. Some products such as contract development software and weapons systems tend to have well-specified requirements. This could lead to synergy with an analytical test strategy that is requirements-based.

6.5 Business Models

Often business considerations and test strategies are non-matching. It is very important to align your business requirements with a software development approach. Using a legacy system as a model for a new one, everyone could use a model-based strategy.

6.6 Regulations

When selecting software testing strategies, consider factors such as the project’s schedule, budget, and feature constraints as well as the organization’s dynamics and policies. In some instances, one may not only have to satisfy stakeholders but regulators as well. In this case, one may require a methodical strategy and test types that meet the relevant regulations.

7. Conclusion

In summary, creating a software testing strategy is an ideal choice and every business must choose to develop one. To draw a software testing plan, strategy serves as a blueprint for the testing process and your units need to be tested. It enables smooth communication between managers and clients. The software testing strategy is a methodical approach and is more functionally comprehensive. It accurately estimates the timeline of work and expense of the testing process. Now, you can trust your products without any cross-validations because the software testing strategy has performed its task.

FAQ

What is test strategy vs test plan?

A Test Plan describes the strategy, parameters, goals, assets, and timetable for assessing a certain product or project. Meanwhile, a test strategy directs the whole testing process by defining the overall approach to testing for a project or an organization

Why do you need a test strategy?

Its principal function is to specify testing parameters and provide quality assurance. To reduce the chances of missing test activities, testers might benefit from a test strategy document that provides a clear overview of a project.