There’s a lot to consider when building a software product or mobile app, and making sure your digital product meets the needs of your end-user is a big obstacle to overcome. That’s why testing is an essential tool in the software developer’s arsenal.
Before you embark on a new development journey, or ahead of releasing your new software out into the world, you may be asking yourself: What is involved in software testing?
To help clear up any complexities, we’ve created a guide to help you understand how agile software teams create value during the testing phase. Continue reading to familiarise yourself with key types of software testing, along with the reasons why testing your software improves the overall performance post-launch.
What Are Some Of The Key Types Of Software Testing?
In reality, there are so many different types of software tests that we’d be here all day trying to list them all. Instead, we’ve pulled together a few of the common types of software tests that we routinely run at GearedApp.
What Is Unit Testing In Software Testing?
Unit tests are often automated tests that are written and run by developers to make sure that individual sections of software applications (units) meet the proper design specifications and perform as intended.
A unit test is the tool that software developers use to trial the smallest piece of code that can be logically isolated in a system or application. Being smaller and quicker tests, unit testing provides a much more granular view of how the code is performing.
The Key Elements Involved In Quality Assurance Testing
Quality assurance (QA) tests are run by development teams to make sure that the product is being built and delivered to meet the customer’s requirements. The QA testing process begins with acceptance criteria — which are clear guidelines that brief developers about the actions they need to take to complete a software project.
Aligned with the acceptance criteria, the QA review is the stage when the tester will see how well the code functions, and how the software looks on the front-end. Like other types of testing, the overall goal is to make sure the code and product function as intended.
What Is Test Scope In Software Testing?
At first, the testing scope can be tricky for software development teams to peg down — especially if a project has lots of different features and unique requirements.
Once agreed, the test scope clearly defines the areas of the software project that will be tested, what features and functionalities to focus on, as well as potential bug types and fixes that may be encountered along the way.
The Role Of User Acceptance Testing
User acceptance testing is a failsafe (potentially) added at the end of the project. An iterative and agile approach often voids the need for user acceptance tests. Within each iteration of a development cycle there are plenty of opportunities to fix any bugs or defects.
As the final testing phase of a project, user acceptance testing acts as a safety net for development teams to iron out any technical glitches.
Software Testing In Agile Development
Agile is different. Starting from a rough idea, work is produced in sprints that can last anywhere up to a few weeks. An agile approach recognises that there’s no way of knowing exactly how long different stages of the development journey will take until it’s started.
From the get-go, projects are treated much more realistically and flexibly. Decisions are made as the software development progresses, meaning there’s always room for change and growth.
What Makes Agile Testing Better For Software Development Projects?
With an agile approach, development teams don’t have to wait until the final phase of a project to start testing and generating feedback. With a typical waterfall development approach, a significant amount of budget might unintentionally be spent on unnecessary features rather than product refinement.
Assumptions are often the source of headaches for developers and customers. Agile testing facilitates clearer, continuous communication between the development team and the end-customer. Active involvement in the process helps to manage client expectations and eliminate assumptions of perceived standard features.
With the whole development team on the same page by understanding where the project has started and which route it’s taking. Through ‘vertical slicing’, the back-end and front-end development work cohesively allow new elements to be added to the design throughout the process. Backed by initial acceptance criteria helps to ensure smooth communication, and creates a far more oiled machine with a development team able to work in a productive flow.
How Does Agile Testing Add Value To Your Project?
Clearer communication between developers, clients, and even end-users vastly improves the flow of projects. Iterations allow for more defined next steps and an ability to prioritise. Enhanced prioritisation of features and functionalities creates an environment for a more controlled use of budget, without being side-tracked or distracted by changing project scope.
As a more interactive approach to development, you are the decision-maker, empowered to think through the rationale behind specific functions and features of your new digital product. Agile enhances the delivery of a high-quality project with the app features you and your end-user require.
Launch Your Software Development Journey with GearedApp
Here at GearedApp, we use dynamic processes to help our clients test their software and ensure a successful launch right from the very start.
Our friendly team of pros will be with you every step of the way, from our initial sit-down chat all the way to launching the finished product. Discover our process to find out more about how GearedApp works.
Get in touch today to find out how we can help turn your awesome ideas into a digital reality.