Best Practices for Manual Testing

Today we are interacting with software apps more often than ever. We have dependencies on the apps for every possible need. With this drastic consumer behavior shift, software apps are becoming the first interaction point and the face of businesses. It is becoming increasingly important for businesses to deliver quality software experiences to their consumers to gain a competitive advantage. Hence software apps are becoming the most critical aspect of businesses and delivering a quality software experience is becoming the top priority.

One of the ways to achieve a good software experience is through software testing. A well-tested software ensures a quality experience for the end-user. However, it could be a complex and expensive job if not planned properly. Furthermore, these software apps interact with each other at various touch points increasing the complexity of the software architecture. Hence it is important for software teams to approach testing in a process-oriented and planned approach. Here I would like to put across a step-by-step guide on software testing best practices that would ensure a good customer experience.

• Manual testing — As the name suggests, manual testing is the process of testing the software manually by following a set of steps called the test cases. These test cases cover every possible consumer flow on the application and any exception scenarios that can occur in the live environment. This process is carried out to find defects without using any tools or automation scripting.

Let’s understand how to improve customer experience by following best practices in manual testing –

Manual Testing best practices

I generally break down and arrange manual testing tasks in the form of a workflow as mentioned in the following screenshot. Adherence to these steps ensures that I am staying true to the process and would not miss any important steps that would lead to the degradation of software quality. Let’s understand the importance of each step.

Manual Testing Best Practices

1. Create a Software Test Plan — A test plan document is prepared which acts as a guide in the testing process to have the complete test coverage.

2. Requirement Clarification — Testers review the requirements and raise queries with business analysts for requirement clarification.

3. Write Test Scenarios — Post getting all queries resolved and understanding the requirements, the tester creates the high-level test scenarios ensuring all requirements are covered, and maintains a requirement traceability matrix.

4. Write Test Cases — Then detailed test cases are written, self-descriptive steps that testers will execute while testing. Please follow an engineered approach to writing test cases using Test Case Design Techniques. Test steps are written keeping in mind that they should be understandable to anyone who even doesn’t have any prior knowledge of software functionality.

5. Test Case Review — Test cases are reviewed by peers, dev, and BA ensuring no testing scenario is missed in the test cases.

6. Execute Tests -The tester then plays the role of an end-user whereby they test the application’s features to ensure correct behavior. The tester follows a written test plan that leads them through numerous test cases.

7. Defect Management — In the test execution phase, testers will find defects that need to be reported to the developers and other stakeholders. ensuring proper recording and classification of defects is a prime responsibility of the tester. The tester needs to ensure defects have everything for any stakeholder to understand and reproduce the defect. Each defect has to be linked to the test case execution along with the defect details. Some of the important parameters of defects tester need to capture and articulate are –

• Severity
• Priority
• Test environment
• Test Data
• Test Steps/Steps to reproduce
• Defect assigned to
• Test cases blocked due to these defects
• Screenshots of failures

Testing is not a job, it is actually a process. Let’s say you are into manual testing in a project. You have worked for about two years on the project and you are bored since you don’t find any more bugs. This doesn’t mean that your work is complete, but it surely means that you need to have a different approach and it’s time to rejuvenate your manual testing skills by being a good learner all over again.

Testing is indeed challenging since you have to continuously keep yourself updated about the project changes and requirements. Moreover, your timely inputs are essential to make the product better. Here are some quick tips to improve your manual testing skills.

1. Have minimal distractions while testing

• Testing includes a lot of analytical thinking and reasoning.
• This can be possible only if you have a good environment with minimum disturbing elements.
• Try using headphones whenever you find yourself getting distracted too soon.
• This will help you to concentrate on the testing process to come up with amazing test cases.

2. Inculcate a habit of thinking about everything you see around

• Not only while testing, but make a habit of thinking and analyzing day-to-day events as well.
• Also, get into the habit of observing things which will help your mind prepare test ideas that might be helpful for your project at times.
• When you are observing simple things around you, you will soon be able to relate things and draw conclusions very quickly.

3. Keep diversified knowledge as well as interests

• These days, it is expected that a quality person will come with knowledge about many things other than his domain.
• This, automatically, increases the worth of the person. When it comes to the development of a product, try to keep yourself well updated about the life cycle, documentation of the product, programming, and analysis as well as testing processes.
• Of course, you cannot be the master of everything, but having good knowledge and ideas about all the important domains other than just you will surely increase your market value manifold.

4. Sharpen your mind by playing mind and strategy games

• If you are really keen on polishing your manual testing skills, then try to play games that test your strategy planning and analytical thinking.
• Games like pattern finding, finding missing letters and problem-solving games will help a lot in keeping your mind alert all the time.
• Once your mind is sharp enough, you will be able to find bugs and errors within no time, helping you to progress well in the field of manual testing.

5. Practice pattern recognition

• This trick is basically to enhance your alertness in finding the bug.
• For instance, when you have to compare two pieces of similar code and come up with small bugs that might go unnoticed, you will be able to draw conclusions in no time.
• For a small piece, it won’t make much difference, but when it comes to a lot of information and lengthy code, it is very helpful.

6. Purely physical as well as mental breaks are essential

• You don’t have to always take a long physical break and come back.
• It can also mean just leaning back on a chair, stretching for about a minute or two, or closing your eyes and relaxing your mind.
• Breaks are essential so that you come back with a fresh mind to go on with the testing process quickly.
• It also brings about a change in the thinking process and refreshes it.
• This, in turn, helps you to think in a better manner and come up with test scenarios and bugs that would take time otherwise.
• Dig deep and deep into the product or application given to you for testing.
• Try to fit yourself in all the categories other than just testing, which will expand your horizon so that you can test efficiently.
• Other than this, the best option is to be an exploratory tester who can think about all the possibilities and help in making the product strong.

7. Understand the Requirements

• The best thing that a tester can put their hands on is to understand the overall requirements of the software.
• It is essential to make sure that the tester has a clear understanding of test objects and to work around them to comprehend the scope.
• It also includes getting an insight into the development of software that is a great addition to Manual Testing Skills.
• This helps in testing products and getting a viewpoint of the system while focusing on its depth and getting the sub-point category about it.

8. Agile and DevOps Methodology

• The development world has embraced the concept of Agile and DevOps with open arms.
• The majority of companies now work with these methodologies to meet the outcome.
• The major thing about such techniques is that they help in meeting deadlines and working with methodologies in a better way.
• The testers are now learning the whole concept to get ideal results.
• In addition to this, the cross-functional teamwork has also helped the overall quality assurance, analysis, and development team to get the right result.
• The aim is to obtain high-quality work that can reach a new height in the market.
• In addition to this, the methodologies have removed rigidity from the market.
• This continuous release and phase-wise development get phase attention in the development world.

9. Practice writing and testing

• The test cases are prepared beforehand when it comes to testing. Hence, make sure to work on software that can easily focus on the development cycle.
• In addition to this, the improvement and learning of the skills in terms of reporting are also counted when it comes to testing.
• Hence, it is best to shorten the test cases and practices that are to be followed in the software.
• This is a great way to enhance reporting skills as well as to write down accurate data in the file.
• It even includes concisely worked bugs that can be eliminated easily. The bug reports can easily be analyzed as per the project report and content that can express overall data sets.
• To make things easy, tables and tabular content forms can be used to make other teammates understand every aspect.

10. Coding

• Just because a tester doesn’t have to code much, doesn’t mean that it is not essential for them to know about codes.
• The programming knowledge is essential for the testers as well since they are going to run tests on codes and software.
• This knowledge helps them to understand the manner and set of errors that might be popping up.
• The thing is that if an error or bug is in a smaller part then the tester can easily fix it or direct developers towards it.
• This also helps them to understand the overall development issue in a better manner.
• In addition to this, the testers can also work on the requirements and know what is expected of them.

11. Seminars and Training

• Another Manual Testing Skill includes the involvement of seminars and training.
• The fact is that there are the latest advancements and techniques added up to domains.
• However, not everyone has an idea about such advancement and hence it is essential to participate in seminars and training.
• This includes knowledge about the latest domain and new applications.
• Along with this, the training and seminars include the vast idea about testing.
• In addition to this, the testing opportunity and also to know more about testing techniques.
• It is an ideal way to work with the growing skills for testing and to know how to implement the latest advancements to it.

12. Knowledge Management

• One can never know enough. Hence, make sure to learn from others to get the best possible outcome.
• It is a crucial Manual Testing Skill that allows testers to learn from others.
• This can be done with the help of meetups, seminars, and training, and It is a great way to enhance possibilities and to explore ideas that are out of the box.
• The best thing is to learn from the mistakes made by your teammates. It is a great way to focus on the defects and bugs of software development and testing.
• There are also innovative methodologies that are implemented and discussed in a simpler model.
• The testing strategies can be tested and improved in an easy manner with the help of data and ideas gathered.

13. Professional Network

• There is no doubt that opportunity is a crucial addition when it comes to exploring the testing domain.
• It includes a community of software testing as well that one must be focused on to get an insight and know more about the platform.
• It includes discussions, forums, and platforms to enhance the professional
• This has a great way to know what other testers are working on and build a network on an expert level.
• It is a way to make it interesting and make the latest advancements to the projects.
• In case of errors, the testing projects can be discussed and more knowledge can be added to an already enhanced set of data conceptualization.

14. Creativity and Intellectuality

• There is no mundane task or routine that is added up to software The overall process of Manual Testing Skills is added up with intellectual and creativity that no one can learn.
• Nevertheless, there is a way to enhance these skill sets while working on out-of-the-box ideas.
• The analyses and behavior of the application are added up to ensure that the software is working.
• In addition to this, the solution and insights can be applied to the intelligent aspects of the test cases.
• There are also different test scenarios that work to ensure that testers can get the best possible results.
• The seeking of possibilities of the solution and identifying probabilities of the defect are the essential parts covered.
• This also ensures that the quality of software is maintained to get ideal software that can boost productivity and enhance ROI in the market.

Conclusion

No matter what the total experience of a tester is, improvement and learning are crucial part for them. This continuously strives for software knowledge and testing skills. The main purpose is to ensure that the program is well-engaged and self-learning as well.

This also includes methodologies, approaches, processes, etc. that can be continuously learned. It is a great way to apply new skills along with staying abreast and ahead of the competition. Manual Testing Skills are a great way to move ahead in a testing career and gain a higher approach towards the software world.