We’re fortunate that in this software testing industry, so many QA professionals generously share their knowledge and experience to benefit others and the industry as a whole.
In this article, 11 seasoned testing professionals shared their valuable insights, tips, and tricks for all the budding and experienced testing professionals. So, let’s dive into the wisdom of these experts!
Top Software Testing Tips
Continuous Learning: The Cornerstone of Effective Software Testing
Niranjan Limbachiya
Founder/CEO @ KiwiQA
As we embrace 2024, my top software testing tip for software testers is to cultivate a mindset of continuous learning and adaptability. The field of software testing is ever-evolving, with new technologies, methodologies, and testing tools emerging regularly. Staying informed and up-to-date with the latest trends, best practices, and industry standards is crucial. Embrace a variety of testing methods, from traditional approaches to cutting-edge techniques like automation and AI-driven testing. Remember, effective testing is not just about finding bugs but ensuring the overall quality of the software. Pay attention to detail, think critically, and always consider the end user’s perspective to ensure the software delivers a seamless and functional experience.
Don’t limit your use of automation just to automated tests
Richard (FriendlyTester) Bradshaw
Automation in Testing
Automation is just software, don’t limit your use of it just to automated tests. Use it to make your testing more effective and efficient, reducing your mean time for feedback.
Start your testing with “why”?
Rahul Parwal
Testingtitbits.com
Understanding the “why” behind your testing efforts will guide you in making informed decisions, prioritizing your testing efforts, and achieving meaningful outcomes.
So, why is starting with “why” so crucial in software testing? Let’s see how it helps to find clarity on your purpose and mission:
1. Helps Align Testing with Business Objectives: All software projects are essentially driven to fulfill some business objectives. Whether it’s to increase revenue, improve customer satisfaction, or comply with regulations, the software serves a specific purpose for the business. As a tester, it’s essential to understand the business objectives and align your testing efforts accordingly.
2. Identifying & Mitigating Key Risks: A critical aspect of software testing is identifying and mitigating risks. If there are no risks, there is no need for testing. It’s essential to look out for the risks and concerns of your stakeholders. Risks can be anything that could impact the quality, performance, or security of the software. Ex: potential risks such as data breaches, transaction failures, or usability issues. Starting with “why” allows you to understand the potential risks associated with the software and prioritize your testing efforts accordingly.
3. Explore Customer Desires: Ultimately, the success of any software depends on the end-user’s satisfaction. By starting with “why,” you can gain a deeper understanding of the end-users needs, expectations, and pain points, which can guide your testing efforts to improve the overall user experience.
4. Clear Understanding of Problem Statement: Starting with “Why” initiates discussions and healthy communication among team members. This helps everyone develop a clear understanding of what problem are they trying to solve. As testers, this is crucial as unless your testing covers important use cases and core problem statements, most of your work could just end up as a wasted effort.
So, what to do whenever you approach a new project?
My suggestion: Seek Answers in this order: “Why” >> “What” >> “How”
Go beyond requirements
Gaurav Khurana
Udzial.com
Do not just test the written requirements go beyond as many requirements can be found by your experience and product can be improved.
Tailored Testing Approach
Serhii Vrublevskyi
In a context-dependent testing approach, tailor your testing strategy to fit the project’s unique requirements. For large enterprise applications, focus on scalability and integration, while consumer-facing apps may benefit from user-centric testing. Ensure compliance with industry regulations and adapt methodologies to align with Agile or DevOps environments. Recognizing and addressing context-specific needs ensures more effective and relevant testing outcomes.
Focus on understanding the application thoroughly
Todd Lemmonds
Testing in today’s landscape is more about understanding your application than making sure it meets requirements. One of the big weaknesses of agile software development practices is that modern-day product owners are lacking many of the skills of translating business requirements into a software solution.
Test Pyramid implementation
Wasiq Amjad Bhamla
Github
Emphasis should be given to make sure Test Pyramid is implemented in the project to ensure quality of the product. You must only automate unique end-to-end user journeys and majority of these should be API automated tests which will ensure faster feedback and ensure UX does not have any critical issues.
Get better by reading
Prachi Dahibhate
Git study notes
How to become a better tester by reading:
📚Read Documentation
🤖Get Domain Knowledge
🧑💻Read Testing Blogs
🐞Learn About Testing Tools
✨Practice Continuously
It’s not always about finding bugs!
A very important skill to succeed in testing is the Art of Thinking
Mohit Gupta
Keeping yourself at the end users perspective will help you to generate more scenarios where the user can bring the challenges to the application.
Introduce bug bash
Heather Dillon
For your next project, try and include a bug bash in the development cycle. Once the product is end to end ready and still going through internal testing, set aside a few hours to involve other teams or the rest of the company to test it and report any bugs they find. It’s a great way to share knowledge of new work and get a lot of fresh perspectives.
Think as crazy scenarios
Shreya Srivastava
Be wild to hunt down the bugs and think as crazy scenarios as possible even if they are not related to the business for once. The deeper you will go the more quality driven your software will become.
There you have it, folks! We’ve journeyed through the wisdom shared by 11 QA experts, each bringing their unique perspectives and experiences to the table. From the importance of clear communication to harnessing the different automation tools effectively, these software testing tips are a treasure trove of knowledge for anyone involved in the software testing process.
Thank you for joining us on this insightful journey. Happy testing!