Having the best software is a case of having the best development AND testing teams. Often, people at software houses, or at big and small enterprises find themselves short of one or both. Time-taking Software cycles can be tracked to multiple factors, all of which may or may not be dependent on each other. First thing first, they all want good quality, and they want it now.
The battle of the development team and testers is a constant one with neither accepting defeat and, thus suffrage persists for the clients. Regarding such complacency, one cannot expect to be at the end of positive feedback or even revel in the victory of their clients in terms of better user retention. So, in what ways can both these teams help each other out?
Tick-Tock, against the clock testing:
Most common error that the testing teams indulge themselves into is having a disruptive, case-based, as-is-where-is-basis, priority list for test cases. The most imperative part about having to deal with faster delivery cycles would be to automate testing and do it for priority test suites, rather than bumping your head against the first thing that hits you. Plan and act. This also rests upon the inclusion of Open Source tools. This ensures a rapid pace for the execution of tests with a constant and swift log of client response and information.
Stick to Basics-Testing simultaneously:
One of the most usual and tried tested ways for time management is to run multiple test cases simultaneously. Parallel testing would ensure that the time spent for more than one test script is lesser than that spent on each individual test script execution. Components or sub-components of an application run together with the same input can automate and enhance the testing process.
Active and updated environments:
With any tests insight, one must consider having the perfect environment for testing, be it the equipment or the laboratory (you can’t use a lighter in place of a Bunsen burner). Same is the case with software testing. Proper and updated lab ensures that your testing processes are run smoothly and are actively run whenever needed.
And with test labs in perfect cohesion and control of QA leads, we can have a managed testing process. And as for the equipment, it is also necessary to keep them up to date and problem-free. Be it OS or apps, make sure that there is no lag in each of the devices set for use.
Shift-left to do what is right:
One of the most popular strategies to reduce the time of software delivery is Shift-left. As the name suggests, if A, B, C represent the entire process of testing, with A being the development stage and C being the testing stage, shifting C close to A would mean that testing and development take place together. This is one of the strategies that help not only the QA teams, but is a strategy that is favorite among the DevOps.
With simultaneous testing, having both processes at the same time means better efficacy of the code and proactive bug tracking. This will help the DevOps to act on the defects in due time and not let other tasks take over. Testers can align their faults and have results in days instead of spending the DevOps time throwing paper-balls in the bin.
Extra-gimmicks for active logging:
With reporting of the defects, tagging, and attaching screenshots of the issues during test case runs, you can keep the entire team on their toes, so they function and act on them at a rapid pace. Keeping a check on these guidelines from the team leads or members means to better prioritization. This can also be ensured with color-grading, heat-maps of tasks and test scripts for prioritization and a big number of test management tools offer just that in their dashboard.
Summing it up:
From personal agendas to tool integrations, it is a known fact that testing and development teams need to align their agendas together and work in lieu of the requirements of clients. The above-mentioned points are a consolation for the testing teams, one cannot negate the importance of hands-on experience. There is no alternate to experienced QA team leads and members and if provided the opportunity of a challenge, they would always come out on top in comparison to those with no or lesser experience. So bear in mind this fact, that learning must never stop, elements must keep on updating, and will power to do more than you can, should remain there, for you to deliver, succeed and conquer the SDLC.
