Software testing has been very much in demand since the 1900s. In fact, it is considered one of the most significant aspects of software development. However, it has to encounter plenty of misconceptions and myths regarding how it works.
If software testers believe these myths, it can deteriorate the quality of software testing and increase the amount of time allocated on testing. Therefore, everyone wants to know the truth.
Keeping this scenario mind, we are presenting you the list of five misconceptions that every QA manager must address.
1. Testing Is Very Costly
This is the common misunderstanding shared by executives across all sectors. According to them, testing is a cost center. So, it contradicts with their objective to decrease the costs as much as possible. In fact, software testing financially benefits you indirectly and directly.
When you do not invest in the software testing of your product, you will end up launching a defected product. As a consequence, you might lose your customers and return their money.
Therefore, you should take software testing as an investment because you have allocated some amount of money and the returns are much higher than you could have ever expected.
2. Legacy Tools Are Good to Be Relied On
This is another common misconception when it comes to software testing. Majority of the businesses have shifted from a waterfall methodology to agile software testing tools.
Waterfall-based software testing solutions won’t integrate with agile testing tools like Selenium and JIRA. In addition, legacy software is not developed keeping in mind the agile workflows. This creates inefficiencies and complication among your software test team members.
3. Testing Is a Simple and Easy Process
This is surprisingly a prevalent belief. However, software testers are not very fond of this. Majority of the software development leaders have come to accept the view that everyone is a tester. Therefore, this suggests that the job demand of the dedicated tester has become less demanding and less important.
However, the best agile software testers will still play an important role. Those efforts will surely prove to be challenging. Software testing can no longer be limited to running through routine processes. These testers are expected to offer guidance and exercise value judgments and recommendations about the bigger picture.
In addition to this, the latest test management tools and strategies are emerging in the market. As a result, testers are required to learn regarding and become accustomed to making use of these new solutions. It is important for the company leaders to point out these intrinsic challenges and play their role to support testers. This is because these testers have a bigger role to play in software development efforts.
4. Automated Testing Can Replace Manual Testing
Experts suggest that complete automation of the project is not a very viable idea. Human touch is needed to feel and see if the user interface and user experience is enough for customers. We definitely need humans who can put themselves in customers’ shoes to see if a button positioning is right.
Automated testing just explains if the coordinates are correct. However, just human experience can tell us if the buttons are appropriately displayed and placed. Manual testing is important for this human touch.
5. Manual Testing Can Be Done by Anyone
Last but not least, many people think that manual testing can be done by anyone, even by people who have no technical background.
This is extremely wrong, testing is the work of a professional QA engineer. In fact, efficient and effective testing needs various skill sets and knowledge. Therefore, QA managers can address this misconception by hiring a team of professionals QA engineers who have knowledge manual testing. This is because, everything cannot be automated, as mentioned above. A few things must be done manually by professionals.
