Testing for software is an elaborative process and has been as such for years now. With many updates, integrations, methods, processes being shifted readily over sometimes a short span of time or relatively a longer period otherwise means that testing engineers need to ‘float like a butterfly, update like a bee’. Bees move from one flower after they’ve extracted all they can from it to the next, just like testers need to learn what they can and never forget previously learnt things and move to more contemporary methods.
Not as sweet as a honeycomb, this analogy here, but I hope it says all. Resorting on Excel-based testing in this day and age is something that is not incorrect, neither is it detrimental (basics lay the ground for progress), but it is something that is frowned upon in the industry, and software testing tools have now become a norm. This is mainly because the client requires such perseverance and commitment from tech houses managing testing needs.
So, while we may think that Excel is an old school of thought, we need to assess what benefits testing tools provide in comparison to it.
Plethora of Switching between sheets
With Excel, your sheet count becomes enormous as the tally of elements is too big, like test cases, number test runs or defect tracking, etc. With this number, it becomes ever-so difficult to manage your daily tidings of testing, as you’d have to work with the inconsistency of multiple sheets. Testing tools, that is never the case. You have your desired features all set in place to act upon and work easily. Creating test cases is easier and one can align them according to the requirement set for before execution.
Tracking the changes & keeping up
Next up is the ability to track alterations. Excel will not let you keep track of the changes that took place to test. Thus, it is easier for testers to step away from their flaws and let the testing process go down. With managers requiring the ability to test accurately and stay informed about everything, it becomes obvious that testing tools are one to go for. Check for changes made to tests, and even revert them to the original.
Forgetting what was planned
Steps are to be missed with Excel sheets. It is mandatory for testers to check for information all times, and with a change in requirements, the testers cannot track the changes. Apart from that, the collaboration among teams in testing software processes is so imperative. The long time of having to deal with multiple sheets on email is not something that is beneficial and is time-consuming.
Agile for Teams; no more
Next point here would have to be the agile environment for testing practices and excel in no way acknowledges the use of those. Whereas test management tools are made for this purpose. And that leads to zero metrics. The system of interactive dashboards with in-built analytics is another element that test management tools have, whereas excel won’t allow.
Conclusion
In terms of usability, of course, Testing tools are above excel, but it is to note that basics cannot be forgotten and excel gives that basis, So while it is necessary to shift to testing tools, it can be good for testers to begin with Excel.
