Software Testing & Quality Assurance

Unit: - 5

Testing and Test case design Techniques

Management Commitment:

Management commitment in software testing is crucial for ensuring the quality

and reliability of software products.

1. Prioritization of Testing

 Value Recognition: Management should recognize testing as a vital phase

of the software development lifecycle, not just an afterthought.
 Resource Allocation: Commitment involves dedicating appropriate
resources (budget, tools, and personnel) to the testing process.

2. Support for Quality Initiatives

 Quality Culture: Foster a culture that prioritizes quality at all levels of the
organization.
 Training and Development: Invest in ongoing training for testing teams
to keep up with industry standards and practices.

3. Clear Communication

 Expectations: Set clear expectations regarding testing objectives and

outcomes.
 Stakeholder Engagement: Involve stakeholders in discussions about
testing processes and results to ensure alignment with business goals.

4. Empowerment of Testing Teams

 Autonomy: Allow testing teams the autonomy to make decisions that

impact testing strategies and processes.
 Collaboration: Encourage collaboration between testing, development,
and other teams to enhance communication and effectiveness.

5. Monitoring and Review

  Regular Assessments: Implement regular reviews of testing processes and
outcomes to ensure alignment with project goals.
 Feedback Mechanism: Establish a feedback loop where lessons learned
from testing are communicated back to management for continuous
improvement.

6. Risk Management

 Proactive Approach: Manage risks associated with software quality by

prioritizing testing activities based on project risk assessments.
 Contingency Plans: Develop and communicate contingency plans for
potential testing-related challenges.

7. Recognition and Accountability

 Recognizing Success: Celebrate successes in testing efforts to reinforce

the importance of quality.
 Accountability: Hold teams accountable for testing outcomes and quality
metrics, promoting a sense of ownership.

8. Investment in Tools and Infrastructure

 Tool Selection: Invest in modern testing tools that enhance efficiency,

such as automation, performance testing, and defect tracking tools.
 Infrastructure Support: Ensure that the necessary infrastructure is in
place for effective testing (e.g., environments that replicate production).

9. Continuous Improvement

 Adopting Best Practices: Encourage the adoption of industry best

practices and methodologies (like Agile, DevOps) that integrate testing
into the development process.
 SW-TMM: Use frameworks like the Software Testing Maturity Model
(SW-TMM) to assess and improve testing processes.

Organization Structure:
The organization structure in software testing defines how testing teams are
organized and how they interact with other departments within the software
development lifecycle. A well-defined structure is essential for effective
collaboration, clear communication, and successful project delivery.
1. Team Roles and Responsibilities

 Test Manager: Oversees the testing process, manages resources, and

ensures alignment with project goals.
 Test Lead: Coordinates testing activities, manages the test team, and
serves as a point of contact for stakeholders.
 Test Analyst: Designs test cases, executes tests, and analyzes results.
Often specializes in specific types of testing (functional, performance,
etc.).
 Automation Engineer: Focuses on developing and maintaining automated
test scripts and frameworks.
 Quality Assurance (QA) Engineer: Ensures overall quality standards are
met, often involved in process improvement initiatives.

2. Team Structures

 Centralized Structure: All testing resources are part of a centralized QA

department. This can provide consistency in processes and standards but
may lead to delays if teams are not aligned with project timelines.
 Decentralized Structure: Testing resources are embedded within
development teams. This promotes collaboration but may result in
inconsistencies in testing practices across different teams.
 Matrix Structure: Combines centralized and decentralized approaches,
where testers report to both project managers and QA leads. This allows
for flexibility and resource optimization.

3. Integration with Development

 Agile Teams: In Agile environments, testers work closely with developers

in cross-functional teams, often participating in daily stand-ups and sprint
planning.
 DevOps Integration: In a DevOps setup, testing is integrated throughout
the CI/CD pipeline, with testers collaborating closely with development
and operations teams.

4. Communication Channels

 Regular Meetings: Establish regular meetings (e.g., stand-ups,

retrospectives) to facilitate communication between testing, development,
and other stakeholders.
  Documentation: Use shared documentation tools (like Confluence or
SharePoint) to maintain transparency regarding testing processes, plans,
and outcomes.

5. Collaboration with Other Departments

 Product Management: Collaborate with product managers to understand

requirements and ensure testing aligns with business needs.
 User Experience (UX) Teams: Work with UX teams to incorporate user
feedback into testing, ensuring usability is a key focus.
 Operations and Support: Engage with operations teams for testing in
production-like environments and for post-release monitoring.

6. Training and Development

 Skill Development: Organize training sessions and workshops to enhance

the skills of testing teams and ensure they are up-to-date with the latest
tools and methodologies.
 Mentorship Programs: Establish mentorship for junior testers to promote
knowledge sharing and growth within the team.

7. Quality Assurance and Continuous Improvement

 Metrics and Reporting: Define key metrics for assessing testing

effectiveness (defect density, test coverage, etc.) and report these to
management.
 Process Reviews: Conduct regular reviews of testing processes and
outcomes to identify areas for improvement and implement changes.

Testing Process management

The testing process management in software testing involves the planning,
execution, monitoring, and improvement of testing activities to ensure software
quality. A structured approach helps manage resources effectively and aligns
testing efforts with project goals.
1. Planning

 Test Strategy: Develop a comprehensive test strategy that outlines the

overall approach to testing, including types of testing (functional,
performance, security) and methodologies (Agile, Waterfall).
 Test Plan: Create a detailed test plan that includes objectives, scope,
resources, timelines, risks, and deliverables. This serves as a roadmap for
the testing process.

2. Resource Management

 Team Formation: Assemble a skilled testing team with defined roles (test
manager, test leads, analysts, and automation engineers).
 Resource Allocation: Ensure adequate resources (human, tools,
environments) are allocated to meet testing requirements.

3. Test Design and Development

 Test Case Creation: Develop test cases based on requirements and

specifications. Ensure they are clear, concise, and traceable.
 Test Data Preparation: Identify and prepare the necessary test data to
execute test cases effectively.

4. Test Execution

 Test Environment Setup: Establish test environments that mimic

production settings for accurate results.
 Execution: Conduct testing as per the test plan, logging results and any
defects encountered.
 Automated Testing: Where applicable, implement automated tests to
improve efficiency and repeatability.

5. Monitoring and Reporting

 Progress Tracking: Monitor testing progress against the test plan using
tools and dashboards to visualize metrics like test coverage and defect
status.
 Reporting: Generate regular reports summarizing testing activities,
results, and defect metrics for stakeholders. This includes identifying
trends and potential risks.
6. Defect Management

 Defect Tracking: Use defect tracking tools to log, classify, and prioritize
defects. Ensure a clear workflow for defect resolution.
 Collaboration with Development: Foster communication between testing
and development teams to facilitate quick resolution of identified issues.

7. Risk Management

 Risk Assessment: Identify potential risks that may impact testing

outcomes and project timelines. Prioritize testing efforts based on risk
levels.
 Mitigation Strategies: Develop and implement strategies to mitigate
identified risks throughout the testing process.

8. Test Closure Activities

 Closure Report: Prepare a test closure report summarizing the overall

testing effort, including completed test cases, defects, and lessons learned.
 Evaluation: Conduct a retrospective to assess the effectiveness of the
testing process and identify areas for improvement.

9. Continuous Improvement

 Feedback Loop: Gather feedback from stakeholders to refine testing

processes and practices.
 Best Practices: Stay updated with industry best practices and incorporate
them into future testing cycles.
 Software Testing Maturity Model (SW-TMM): Assess the maturity of
testing processes to identify improvement opportunities.

10. Documentation and Knowledge Sharing

 Maintain Documentation: Document testing processes, test cases, and

results for future reference.
 Knowledge Sharing: Foster a culture of knowledge sharing through
training sessions, workshops, and internal forums.

Options for Managers :

A test manager has a strategic role aimed at ensuring the success and quality
of the testing process within the project. For example, this person is often
responsible for leading and coordinating a test team. The manager develops and
implements test plans and then oversees the execution of these tests.

1. Testing Methodologies

 Agile Testing: Implement testing in short iterations, allowing for quick

feedback and continuous integration. This promotes collaboration between
developers and testers.
 Waterfall Testing: Follow a sequential approach, where testing is
conducted after development. This is suitable for projects with well-
defined requirements but less flexibility.
 DevOps Integration: Adopt a DevOps approach to integrate testing into
the CI/CD pipeline, enabling continuous testing and faster release cycles.

2. Testing Types

 Functional Testing: Validate that the software performs according to

specified requirements. This includes unit, integration, system, and
acceptance testing.
 Non-Functional Testing: Assess performance, security, usability, and
reliability. This includes load testing, stress testing, and security testing.
 Automated Testing: Use automation tools to execute tests, which
improves efficiency and repeatability, particularly for regression and
performance testing.

3. Resource Management

 In-House vs. Outsourcing: Decide whether to build an in-house testing

team or outsource testing to third-party vendors, based on budget,
expertise, and project needs.

 Cross-Functional Teams: Form cross-functional teams that include

testers, developers, and product owners to enhance collaboration and
accelerate the testing process.

4. Testing Tools

 Test Management Tools: Utilize tools like JIRA, TestRail, or Zephyr to

manage test cases, track progress, and report results.
 Automation Frameworks: Choose suitable automation frameworks (e.g.,
Selenium, Cypress, Appium) based on the technology stack and project
requirements.
  Performance Testing Tools: Implement tools like JMeter or Load Runner
for performance and load testing to ensure the application can handle
expected user loads.

5. Test Planning and Metrics

 Define KPIs: Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure

testing effectiveness, such as defect density, test coverage, and test
execution rates.
 Risk-Based Testing: Prioritize testing efforts based on risk assessments,
focusing on critical functionalities that could impact business operations.

6. Quality Assurance Culture

 Promote a Quality Mind-set: Encourage a culture where quality is a

shared responsibility across all teams, not just within the testing team.
 Continuous Learning: Foster an environment of continuous learning and
improvement, encouraging team members to stay updated with industry
trends and best practices.

7. Stakeholder Communication

 Regular Updates: Keep stakeholders informed about testing progress,

results, and any issues encountered through regular reports and meetings.
 Feedback Mechanisms: Implement feedback loops with stakeholders to
refine testing processes and improve alignment with business goals.

8. Risk Management

 Identify and Mitigate Risks: Proactively identify potential risks in the

testing process and implement strategies to mitigate them.
 Contingency Planning: Prepare contingency plans for critical risks that
could impact testing schedules or software quality.

9. Process Improvement

 Retrospectives: Conduct regular retrospectives after each testing cycle to

assess what worked well and what can be improved.
 Benchmarking: Compare testing practices against industry standards or
competitors to identify areas for enhancement.

Testing Process Management Activities :

It is a software process that manages the start to the end of all software testing
activities. This management process provides planning, controlling, tracking, and
monitoring facilities throughout the whole group cycle, these process includes
several activities like test case design and test execution, test planning, etc. It also
gives an initial plan and discipline specifications for the software testing process.

1. Test Planning

 Define Objectives: Establish clear goals for the testing process based on
project requirements and stakeholder expectations.
 Develop Test Strategy: Outline the overall approach to testing, including
methodologies (Agile, Waterfall) and types of testing (functional, non-
functional).
 Resource Allocation: Identify and allocate necessary resources, including
team members, tools, and environments.

2. Test Design

 Requirements Analysis: Review requirements and specifications to

understand the scope of testing.
 Test Case Development: Create detailed test cases that outline inputs,
execution steps, and expected outcomes. Ensure they are traceable to
requirements.
 Test Data Preparation: Identify and prepare test data needed for
executing test cases, ensuring it reflects real-world scenarios.

3. Test Environment Setup

  Environment Configuration: Set up the testing environment, ensuring it
mimics the production environment as closely as possible.
 Tool Integration: Integrate necessary testing tools for test management,
automation, and defect tracking.

4. Test Execution

 Execute Test Cases: Run the test cases as per the test plan and document
the outcomes.
 Defect Logging: Log any defects found during testing in a defect tracking
system, including details about the issue and steps to reproduce it.

5. Monitoring and Control

 Progress Tracking: Monitor testing progress against the plan using

dashboards and metrics (e.g., test execution status, defect density).
 Issue Resolution: Work collaboratively with development teams to
address and resolve defects promptly.

6. Reporting

 Test Summary Reports: Generate reports summarizing testing activities,

results, and defect status. This may include overall test coverage and defect
trends.
 Stakeholder Communication: Communicate test results and insights to
stakeholders through regular meetings and reports, ensuring transparency.

7. Defect Management

 Defect Classification: Classify defects based on severity and priority to

facilitate efficient resolution.
 Defect Retesting: Conduct retesting of defects after they are fixed to
ensure they have been resolved properly.

8. Test Closure

 Test Closure Report: Prepare a test closure report summarizing the entire
testing effort, including what was tested, defects found, and overall quality
assessment.
 Retrospective Analysis: Conduct a retrospective to evaluate the testing
process, identifying strengths and areas for improvement.

9. Continuous Improvement
  Feedback Incorporation: Use feedback from stakeholders and team
members to refine testing processes for future projects.
 Process Review: Regularly review and update testing practices, tools, and
methodologies to align with industry best practices and lessons learned.

10. Training and Knowledge Sharing

 Skill Development: Provide ongoing training for the testing team to

enhance skills and keep up with new tools and techniques.
 Documentation: Maintain comprehensive documentation of testing
processes, test cases, and results for future reference and knowledge
sharing.

Budgeting and Scheduling the Testing Phase:

1. Requirement analysis

Requirement analysis involves identifying, analyzing, and documenting the

requirements of a software system.
  During requirement analysis, the software testing team works closely with
the stakeholders to gather information about the system’s functionality,
performance, and usability.
 The requirements document serves as a blueprint for the software
development team, guiding them in creating the software system.
 It also serves as a reference point for the testing team, helping them design
and execute effective test cases to ensure the software meets the
requirements.

2. Test planning

During the test planning phase, the team develops a complete plan outlining each
testing process step, including identifying requirements, determining the target
audience, selecting appropriate testing tools and methods, defining roles and
responsibilities, and defining timelines. This phase aims to ensure that all
necessary resources are in place and everyone on the team understands their roles
and responsibilities. A well-designed test plan minimizes risks by ensuring that
potential defects are identified early in the development cycle when they are
easier to fix. Also, adhering to the plan throughout the testing process fosters
thoroughness and consistency in testing efforts which can save time and cost
down the line.

3. Test case development

During the test case development phase, the team thoroughly tests the software
and considers all possible scenarios.
This phase involves multiple steps, including test design, test case creation, and
test case review:

 Test design involves identifying the test scenarios and defining the steps to
be followed during testing.
 Writing test cases for each identified scenario, including input data,
expected output, and the steps to be followed, involves creating test cases.
  Test case review involves reviewing the test cases to ensure they are
complete and cover all possible scenarios.

Also, this is the phase when the involvement of test automation can be started.
You can select the test cases for test automation here. And, if automation is
already a part of the STLC, and the product is suitable for testing, then the test
case automation can be started too.

4. Test environment setup

Test environment setup in software testing life refers to creating an environment

that simulates the production system where the software application is deployed.
A person can ensure efficient and effective testing activities by designing the test
environment correctly.
The setup includes

 hardware,
 software,
 networks, and
 databases.

When setting up test environments, we consider network bandwidth, server

capabilities, and storage capacity. A properly set-up test environment aims to
replicate real-world scenarios to identify potential issues before deployment in
production systems. Testers can perform functional, performance, or load testing
during this phase. Automating your Test environment setup can make your work
easier. You can set up automated tests to run on the configured setups here.

5. Test execution

Test execution refers to the software testing life cycle phase where created test
cases are executed on the actual system being tested. At this stage, testers verify
whether features, functions, and requirements prescribed in earlier phases
perform as expected. The test execution also involves the execution of automated
test cases.
 6. Test closure

Test closure is integral to the STLC and includes completing all planned testing
activities. It includes

 reviewing and analyzing test results,

 reporting defects,
 identifying achieved or failed test objectives,
 assessing test coverage, and
 evaluating exit criteria.

Test Plan / Test Planning:

What is a Test Plan?

A test plan is a document that consists of all future testing-related activities. It

is prepared at the project level and in general, it defines work products to be
tested, how they will be tested, and test type distribution among the testers.
Before starting testing there will be a test manager who will be preparing a test
plan. In any company whenever a new project is taken up before the tester is
involved in the testing the test manager of the team would prepare a test Plan.
 The test plan serves as the blueprint that changes according to the
progressions in the project and stays current at all times.
 It serves as a base for conducting testing activities and coordinating activities
among a QA team.
 It is shared with Business Analysts, Project Managers, and anyone associated
with the project.

Below are the eight steps that can be followed to write a test plan:
1. Analyze the product: This phase focuses on analyzing the product,
Interviewing clients, designers, and developers, and performing a product
walkthrough. This stage focuses on answering the following questions:
 What is the primary objective of the product?
 Who will use the product?
 What are the hardware and software specifications of the product?
 How does the product work?

2. Design the test strategy: The test strategy document is prepared by the
manager and details the following information:
 Scope of testing which means the components that will be tested and the ones
that will be skipped.
 Type of testing which means different types of tests that will be used in the
project.
 Risks and issues that will list all the possible risks that may occur during
testing.
 Test logistics mentions the names of the testers and the tests that will be run
by them.

3. Define test objectives: This phase defines the objectives and expected results
of the test execution. Objectives include:
 A list of software features like functionality, GUI, performance standards,
etc.
 The ideal expected outcome for every aspect of the software that needs
testing.

4. Define test criteria: Two main testing criteria determine all the activities in
the testing project:
 Suspension criteria: Suspension criteria define the benchmarks for
suspending all the tests.
 Exit criteria: Exit criteria define the benchmarks that signify the successful
completion of the test phase or project. These are expected results and must
match before moving to the next stage of development.

5. Resource planning: This phase aims to create a detailed list of all the
resources required for project completion. For example, human effort, hardware
and software requirements, all infrastructure needed, etc.

6. Plan test environment: This phase is very important as the test environment
is where the QAs run their tests. The test environments must be real devices,
installed with real browsers and operating systems so that testers can monitor
software behavior in real user conditions.

7. Schedule and Estimation: Break down the project into smaller tasks and
allocate time and effort for each task. This helps in efficient time estimation.
Create a schedule to complete these tasks in the designated time with a specific
amount of effort.

8. Determine test deliverables: Test deliverables refer to the list of documents,

tools, and other equipment that must be created, provided, and maintained to
support testing activities in the project.
Best Practices for Creating an effective Test Plan:
Creating an effective test plan is essential for ensuring a comprehensive and
systematic approach to software testing. Here are some best practices to
consider when developing a test plan:

Alignment of the Process to the Project :

Testing must be an essential part of any project, irrespective of whether it uses
any models for software development or not. Test Manager should completely
understand the system development lifecycle being used in the organization so
that testing activities may be correctly aligned to the lifecycle.

Common Understanding

A common understanding does not mean building a consensus. People may

disagree with the direction being developed, but they have the same basic
understanding as those who agree. For a project plan to be effective, there must
 be a critical mass or sufficient commitment among the critical stakeholders.
Therefore, disagreement is not fatal to the project execution, but a unified team
with a common understanding is much more powerful and increases the
likelihood of success. If disagreement does exist, an open and forthright
discussion will enable the project leadership to address the disagreement in
developing the project plan. If the disagreement stays hidden and is not openly
discussed, problems will emerge later in the project.

Developing a common understanding can be as easy as an informal discussion

that lasts a few hours, or it can be a lengthy, complex process. The methods and
processes employed to develop a common understanding are directly related to
the complexity of the project. The more complex projects will require more
intense discussions around those issues that score high on the complexity profile.

Developing a common understanding among the key project stakeholders

requires the following:

 Defining project success

 Determining potential barriers to success
 Establishing key milestones
 Identifying decision makers and the decision-making process

It is difficult to execute a successful project without first defining what makes a

successful project. The first part of this discussion is easy: the project must be
completed on time, within budget, and to all specifications. The next level of the
discussion requires more reflection. During this discussion, reflection on the
organization’s mission, goals, and related issues such as safety and public
perception of the project emerge.
After the team develops a common understanding of project success, a discussion
of barriers to achieving that success enables team members to express skepticism.
On more complex projects, the goals of a project often seem difficult to achieve.
A discussion by the team of the potential barriers to project success places these
concerns out in the open where team members can discuss and develop plans to
address the barriers. Without this discussion, the perception of these barriers
becomes powerful and can have an effect on project performance.

Project Purpose

The project purpose is sometimes reflected in a written charter, vision, or mission

statement. These statements are developed as part of the team development
process that occurs during the project initiation phase and results in a common
understanding of the purpose of the project. A purpose statement derived from a
common understanding among key stakeholders can be highly motivating and
connects people’s personal investment to a project purpose that has value.

A purpose statement—also called a charter, vision, or mission—provides a

project with an anchor or organizational focus. Sometimes called an anchoring
statement, these statements can become a basis for testing key decisions. A
purpose statement can be a powerful tool for focusing the project on actions and
decisions that can have a positive impact on project success. For example, a
purpose statement that says that the project will design and build an airplane that
will have the best fuel efficiency in the industry will influence designs on engine
types, flight characteristics, and weight. When engineers are deciding between
different types of materials, the purpose statement provides the criteria for
making these decisions.
Developing a common understanding of the project’s purpose involves engaging
stakeholders in dialogue that can be complex and in-depth. Mission and vision
statements reflect some core values of people and their organization. These types
of conversations can be very difficult and will need an environment where people
feel safe to express their views without fear of recrimination.

Goals

Goals add clarity to the anchor statement. Goals break down the emotional
concepts needed in the development of a purpose statement and translate them
into actions or behaviors, something we can measure. Where purpose statements
reflect who we are, goals focus on what we can do. Goals bring focus to
conversations and begin prioritizing resources. Goals are developed to achieve
the project purpose.

Developing goals means making choices. Project goals established during the
alignment process are broad in nature and cross the entire project. Ideally,
everyone on the project should be able to contribute to the achievement of each
goal.
Goals can have significantly different characteristics. The types of goals and the
processes used to develop the project goals will vary depending on the complexity
level of the project, the knowledge and skills of the project leadership team, and
the boldness of the project plan. Boldness is the degree of stretch for the team.
The greater the degree of challenge and the greater the distance from where you
are to where you want to be, the bolder the plan and the higher the internal
complexity score.
 Roles

Role clarity is critical to the planning and execution of the project. Because
projects by definition are unique, the roles of each of the key stakeholders and
project leaders are defined at the beginning of the project. Sometimes the roles
are delineated in contracts or other documents. Yet even with written
explanations of the roles defined in documents, how these translate into the
decision-making processes of the project is often open to interpretation.
A discussion of the roles of each entity and each project leader can be as simple
as each person describing their role and others on the project team asking
questions for clarification and resolving differences in understanding. On less
complex projects, this is typically a short process with very little conflict in
understanding and easy resolution. On more complex projects, this process is
more difficult with more opportunities for conflict in understanding.
One process for developing role clarification on projects with a more complex
profile requires project team members, client representatives, and the project’s
leadership to use a flip chart to record the project roles. Each team divides the flip
chart in two parts and writes the major roles of the client on one half and the roles
of the leadership team on the other half. Each team also prioritizes each role and
the two flips charts are compared.

This and similar role clarification processes help each project team member
develop a more complete understanding of how the project will function, how
each team member understands their role, and what aspects of the role are most
important. This understanding aids in the development or refinement of work
processes and approval processes. The role clarification process also enables the
team to develop role boundary spanning processes. This is where two or more
members share similar roles or responsibilities. Role clarification facilitates the
development of the following:

 Communication planning
 Work flow organization
 Approval processes
 Role boundary spanning processes

Means and Methods

Defining how the work of the project will be accomplished is another area of
common understanding that is developed during the alignment session. An
understanding of the project management methods that will be used on the project
 and the output that stakeholders can expect is developed. On smaller and less
complex projects, the understanding is developed through a review of the tools
and work processes associated with the following:

 Tracking progress
 Tracking costs
 Managing change

On more complex projects, the team may discuss the use of project management
software tools, such as Microsoft Project, to develop a common understanding of
how these tools will be used. The team discusses key work processes, often using
flowcharts, to diagram the work process as a team. Another topic of discussion is
the determination of what policies are needed for smooth execution of the project.
Often one of the companies associated with the project will have policies that can
be used on the project. Travel policies, human resources policies, and
authorization procedures for spending money are examples of policies that
provide continuity for the project.

Trust

Trust on a project has a very specific meaning. Trust is the filter that project team
members use for evaluating information. The trust level determines the amount
of information that is shared and the quality of that information. When a person’s
trust in another person on the project is low, he or she will doubt information
received from that person and might not act on it without checking it with another
source, thereby delaying the action. Similarly, a team member might not share
information that is necessary to the other person’s function if they do not trust the
person to use it appropriately and respect the sensitivity of that information. The
level of communication on a project is directly related to the level of trust.

Trust is also an important ingredient of commitment. Team member’s trust in the

project leadership and the creation of a positive project environment fosters
commitment to the goals of the project and increases team performance. When
trust is not present, time and energy is invested in checking information or finding
information. This energy could be better focused on goals with a higher level of
trust (Willard, 1999).

Establishing trust starts during the initiation phase of the project. The kickoff
meeting is one opportunity to begin establishing trust among the project team
members. Many projects have team-building exercises during the kickoff
meeting. The project team on some complex projects will go on a team-building
outing. One project that built a new pharmaceutical plant in Puerto Rico invited
team members to spend the weekend spelunking in the lime caves of Puerto Rico.
Another project chartered a boat for an evening cruise off the coast of Charleston,
South Carolina. These informal social events allow team members to build a
relationship that will carry over to the project work.

Team Formation:
Quality assurance is not just a technical process, but a strategic one. It ensures
that your software products meet the expectations of your customers and
stakeholders, and that they are delivered on time and within budget. Quality
assurance also helps you avoid costly errors, defects, and rework, which can
damage your reputation and revenue.

Tip 1: Define your testing objectives and scope

Before you start building your software testing team, you need to define your
testing objectives and scope. What are the quality criteria and standards that you
want to achieve? What are the risks and challenges that you want to mitigate?
What are the types of testing that you need to perform, such
as functional, performance, security, usability, etc.?

Defining your testing objectives and scope will help you determine the size,
skills, and roles of your software testing team. It will also help you allocate the
resources, tools, and time needed for your testing activities.

Tip 2: Hire the right people for the right roles

Your software testing team is only as good as the people who are part of it. You
need to hire testers who have the relevant knowledge, experience,
and certifications for the types of testing that you need. You also need to hire
testers who have the soft skills, such as communication, teamwork, problem-
solving, and critical thinking, that are essential for effective testing.

Depending on the size and complexity of your software project, you may
need different roles in your software testing team:

Test manager
The person who oversees the entire testing process, from planning to reporting.
The test manager is responsible for defining the testing strategy, scope, and
schedule, as well as managing the testing resources, risks, and issues. The test
manager also coordinates with the project manager, developers, and stakeholders
to ensure alignment and collaboration.

Test lead
The person who leads a specific testing phase or activity, such as functional
testing, performance testing, or automation testing. The test lead is responsible
for designing, executing, and reviewing the test cases, as well as reporting the test
results and defects. The test lead also mentors and guides the test engineers and
analysts in their tasks.

Test engineer
The person who performs the actual testing tasks, such as writing, running, and
debugging the test cases, as well as logging and tracking the defects. The test
engineer also provides feedback and suggestions for improving the quality of the
software product.

Test analyst
The person who analyzes the requirements, specifications, and design of the
software product, and identifies the test scenarios, conditions, and data. The test
analyst also validates the test results and verifies the defect resolutions.

Tip 3: Train and develop your software testing team

Hiring the right people for the right roles is not enough. You also need to train
and develop your software testing team to keep them updated and motivated. You
need to provide them with the necessary tools, techniques, and methodologies for
effective testing. You also need to provide them with the opportunities for
learning, growth, and career advancement.

Some of the ways to train and develop your software testing team are:

 Conduct regular workshops, webinars, and courses on the latest testing

trends, technologies, and best practices.
 Encourage your testers to attend conferences, seminars, and events related
to software testing and quality assurance.
 Support your testers to obtain professional certifications, such as ISTQB,
CSTE, or CSQA, that validate their skills and knowledge.
  Create a knowledge base, a repository, or a wiki, where your testers can
share their experiences, insights, and lessons learned from their testing
projects.
 Establish a feedback and recognition system, where your testers can
receive constructive feedback, appreciation, and rewards for their
performance and achievements.

Tip 4: Foster a culture of collaboration and communication

Your software testing team is not working in isolation. They are part of a larger
software development team, which includes developers, designers, project
managers, and stakeholders. They need to collaborate and communicate with
these other parties to ensure that the software product meets the quality
expectations and requirements.

Some of the ways to foster a culture of collaboration and communication are:

 Adopt an agile methodology, such as Scrum or Kanban, that promotes

frequent and iterative testing, as well as regular interactions and feedback
among the team members and stakeholders.
 Use a common platform, such as Jira, Trello, or Asana, that allows your
testers to manage their tasks, track their progress, and report their issues
and defects.
 Use a common tool, such as TestRail, TestLink, or Zephyr, that allows your
testers to create, execute, and document their test cases, as well as integrate
them with other tools, such as bug tracking, automation, or performance
testing tools.
 Use a common channel, such as Slack, Teams, or Skype, that allows your
testers to communicate and coordinate with each other and with other
parties, as well as share their ideas, questions, and concerns.

Tip 5: Partner with a software testing company

Organizing the best software testing team is not an easy task. It requires time,
effort, and resources that you may not have or want to invest. That’s why
partnering with a software testing company can be a smart and cost-effective
solution for your software quality assurance needs.

A software testing company can provide you with the following benefits:

 Access to a pool of qualified and experienced testers, who can handle any
type of testing, such as functional, performance, security, usability, etc.
  Access to a range of testing tools, technologies, and methodologies, that
can enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of your testing process.
 Access to a flexible and scalable testing model, that can adapt to your
changing needs and requirements, as well as your budget and timeline.
 Access to a reliable and professional testing partner, who can deliver high-
quality results, as well as provide you with valuable insights and
recommendations for improving your software product.

Infrastructure :

Infrastructure refers to the set of components to operate and manage

organization or enterprise software services and environments.When it comes
to Test infrastructure, it relates to the actions, occurrences, functions, and
procedures that support and enable manual and automated testing. Test
infrastructure provides stability, dependability, and testing continuity for
better planning and implementation. It gives the foundation for testers to write
their test cases and an execution platform to execute them.

Ways to validate your testing infrastructure

In this Test infrastructure tutorial, let’s look at ways or techniques to valida te

your testing infrastructure.

 Validate the component's versions: Verify the components' IP addresses

and that they have the necessary services to access each node. Check the

operating system, features, and both versions. For example, Java, Apache,

etc

 Verify initial configurations: A tester typically checks different

configurations in a performance test to seek optimizations, aiming to

 enhance the outcomes and comparing the performance of various

solutions.

Therefore, it is essential to examine the initial configurations to confirm

that the information provided in the findings is accurate. Examples include

the maximum and minimum allocated memory in the case of JVM, the size

of the connection pool in the database or the web server, etc

 Validate network routes and connections: To confirm the network hops,

perform a traceroute from each node to the node to which they connect.

You can perform it using the load-generator machines

 Validate ports: If you are using port 80 to access a Tomcat-powered web

server, be sure that you have set the Tomcat to port 80.

Tools for infrastructure testing

Infrastructure testing tools deploy and configure multiple servers required for
an application. They help solve complex infrastructure-related tasks and
execute them on different servers.

Following are some of the tools for Test infrastructure.

In this Test infrastructure tutorial, let’s look at ways or techniques to validate

your testing infrastructure.

 Chef: It helps deploy applications and configure infrastructure and the

network. The Chef works on a master-slave configuration, where the chef-

 server ( or primary server) is replaced by the backup server if there is a

failure

 Puppet: Puppet uses the concept of master-master architecture. If an active

master encounters a failure, another master can replace it. It is built with

Ruby language and supports embedded Ruby and DSL

 Ansible: Ansible is a highly scalable tool that can manage many nodes. It

is highly secured with SSH protocol. Ansible is built in Python and

supports YAML command scripts. It runs with one active node; if there

are any failures, it also has a secondary node

Testing Tools, Reviewing, Monitoring and Risk

Management:

Risk management is the process of identifying, assessing, and managing risks. It

is performed in both planning and execution phases. An effective risk

management strategy and application drastically reduces the chances of execution

failures in software development.

Risk Management in Software Development Life Cycle

The entire process of risk management is divided into three important steps,
which described below in detail:
Risk Identification

Risk identification is the simple identification process that lists out the probable
factors that may disrupt the smooth functioning of the software. This listing
process includes all possible instances, including external errors that might
disrupt the functioning of the software.

The most identified risks are late errors, lack of defined scopes, unavailability of
independent test environment and workspaces, tight test schedule due to
impending demand, etc. The identification process is often a prerequisite to
ensure that the software has authenticity in the testing reports. The developers are
also informed about the risk factors to avoid such loopholes in the future.

Risk Impact Analysis

Once the risk is identified, we move on to the risk impact analysis. This step
involves the classification of the identified risks based on their probability and
force of impact on the entire project. The three classifications for impact analysis
are high, medium, and low. A systematic structure is followed to analyze the risk
before it gets materialized.

Impact analysis is done financially as well because the impact in that sector can
have direct results on the development of the software. Major issues such as tight
testing schedule and delay caused due to design issues could be a considerable
hindrance; hence, getting assigned to the high-risk category after the risk impact
analysis. An issue like the probability of natural disasters is classified as a low
risk.

Risk Mitigation Process

The next is the most important step, the risk mitigation process. The idea is to
find feasible solutions for the analyzed risk, keeping high category risk mitigation
as a priority. Finding the proper risk mitigation technique is also crucial. The
techniques used should be harmless for the other stages of development.
 The risk mitigation factors include finding the most suitable solution that can be
arranged in a limited time frame and thus, does not induce the risk of delaying
the entire project. For example, the high-risk factor of tight testing schedule,
causing delay, can be mitigated by informing the development and testing team
to control the preparation tasks in advance as a preventative measure.

Test Execution

Risk management, at times, extends to the test execution phase. The execution of
time risk management is a fast task to accomplish, as it is constructed in a very
short time frame. Therefore, usually, the impact analysis classifies the risk
probability based on individual modules and ranks them accordingly, making it
easier for the testing team to mitigate the risk by prioritizing the module tests,
finding the solutions with the highest-ranked module, and saving a lot of time and
energy.

Ways to Carry Out Risk Analysis in Software Risk Management

There is no standard process for risk analysis. Different companies carry out the
process in different ways. Risk analysis is also carried out on different items of a
project. This is important to identify the risks and to implement the risk-based
testing analysis approach. The different items in a project are as follows:

 Functionalities

 Features

 User Stories

 Use Cases

 Requirements

 Test Cases
 In this blog, we will only be focusing on the test cases to understand the risk-
based testing approach.

Procedure of Risk Analysis in Risk Management

Stakeholders from the technical and business team are involved in risk analysis.
These stakeholders discuss and identify the importance of each feature of a
product. This will then be made into a list of priorities, based on the risk of failure
and how it will impact the end-user experience.

A few important things that shape the discussion include:

 Project documents such as technical specification documents, architecture

documents, use case documents, etc.

 Most-used functionality

 Consultation from a domain expert

 Previous version data

During this discussion, the risk factors associated with each feature are identified.
The risks could be technical, business-related, or operational. The likelihood of
risk occurrence and its impact helps in weighing all tests and scenarios.

The risk occurrence likelihood could be due to:

 Improper understanding of the feature by the development team

 Poor design and architecture

 Not enough time to design

 Team’s incompetency

 Not enough resources

The impact of the risk could be as follows:

 Cost impact

 Business impact; losing business or market share

 Quality impact

 Bad user experience

The focus is of examining the risk of a feature or product could be:

 Business criticality of the functionality

 Features that are most used and important functionality

 Areas that are prone to defects

 Functionalities that bear the impact of security and safety

 Complex design and architecture areas

 Changes that were made from the previous versions

Risk Analysis Methodology in Risk Management

We can now talk about the risk-based testing methodology in detail. RISK is the
criteria in all the test cycles and phases, under the risk-based testing methodology.
We can design several combinations of test case scenarios. The tests are ranked
on the basis of the severity of risks. This helps find out the riskiest area of failure.

The main goal of risk analysis is to find the high-value items, such as product
functionalities, features, etc., and the low-value items. This is done to ensure that
the primary focus is always on the high-value items. This is the first step in risk
analysis, before we can start with the risk-based testing methodology.

The categorization of high- and low-value items is done by following the steps
given below:
Risk analysis is conducted by using a 3×3 grid. The stakeholders assess all
functionalities, non-functionalities, and test cases for the “likelihood of failure”
and “impact of failure”.

The “likelihood of failure” is categorized into “likely”, “quite likely”, and

“unlikely”, along the vertical axis of the grid. This is done by a team of technical
experts.

The “impact of failure” is categorized into “minor”, “visible”, and “interruption”,

along the horizontal axis of the grid. This is generally assessed by the end
customer, but if for some reason that is not possible, a group of business
specialists carry out the assessment.

Likelihood and Impact of failure

Test cases are positioned in the quadrants in the grid. This is based on the
identified values of the likelihood and impact of failure. These are shown as dots.

The test cases with high likelihood of failure and high impact of failure are
grouped on the top right corner of the grid; they are the high-value items. While
the low-value items are grouped together in the bottom left corner of the grid.

Testing Priority Grid

The tests are prioritized based on their positioning on the grid. They are labeled
numerically according to their priority. The tests are executed according to their
priority. The high priority tests are executed first and the low priority tests are
executed last or just chucked out.

Details of Testing
 Now, the level of details of testing has to be decided. The scope of the testing is
decided based on the ranking in the grid.

High priority tests that rank 1, are tested “more through(ly)”. Experts are
deployed to execute these test cases. The rest of the test cases are also labeled
according to their priority. The least priority test cases can be executed, if there
is enough time and resources left.

This entire process helps testers identify the high-value tests and also guides them
on the details of testing to be conducted.

Risk Management Process

The risk management process involves three stages:

 Risk Identification

 Risk Assessment or Impact Analysis

 Risk Mitigation

Risk Identification
 A risk has to be first identified before it can be solved. The first step in the risk
identification stage is to make a list of everything that could go wrong.

This step is usually led by a QA manager, lead, or representative, but the entire
QA team’s contribution is important.

Let us take a look at a sample list of risks; the application that is being tested is
not the focus here; the focus is how the QA phase will pan out:

 The testing schedule has been tight.The test started late because of design tasks
and, now, it cannot be extended beyond the user acceptance testing (UAT) start
date.

 The resources weren’t enough, and the onboarding took a lot of time.

 The defects were found late and they are going to take a lot of time to resolve.

 The scope was not completely defined.

 The occurrence of any natural disaster.

 The unavailability or inaccessibility to an independent test environment.

 The emergence of new issues causing the testing to be delayed.

Once we get the complete list of risks, we can move on to the next stage.

Risk Mitigation

The last stage of the risk management process involves coming up with solutions
to handle each of the listed risks. Here is a sample of what the list of risks
mentioned-above would look like after this stage:
 Software Testing Metrics

Software testing metrics are quantifiable indicators of the software
testing process progress, quality, productivity, and overall health. The purpose of
software testing metrics is to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the
software testing process while also assisting in making better decisions for future
testing by providing accurate data about the testing process. A metric expresses
the degree to which a system, system component, or process possesses a certain
attribute in numerical terms.

Importance of Metrics in Software Testing:

Test metrics are essential in determining the software’s quality and performance.
Developers may use the right software testing metrics to improve their
productivity.
 Early Problem Identification: By measuring metrics such as defect density
and defect arrival rate, testing teams can spot trends and patterns early in the
development process.
 Allocation of Resources: Metrics identify regions where testing efforts are
most needed, which helps with resource allocation optimization. By ensuring
that testing resources are concentrated on important areas, this enhances the
strategy for testing as a whole.
 Monitoring Progress: Metrics are useful instruments for monitoring the
advancement of testing. They offer insight into the quantity of test cases that
have been run, their completion rate, and if the testing effort is proceeding
according to plan.
 Continuous Improvement: Metrics offer input on the testing procedure,
which helps to foster a culture of continuous development.

Types of Software Testing Metrics:

Software testing metrics are divided into three categories:

1. Process Metrics: A project’s characteristics and execution are defined by
process metrics. These features are critical to the SDLC process’s
improvement and maintenance (Software Development Life Cycle).
2. Product Metrics: A product’s size, design, performance, quality, and
complexity are defined by product metrics. Developers can improve the
quality of their software development by utilizing these features.
3. Project Metrics: Project Metrics are used to assess a project’s overall quality.
It is used to estimate a project’s resources and deliverables, as well as to
determine costs, productivity, and flaws.
It is critical to determine the appropriate testing metrics for the process. A few
points to keep in mind:
 Before creating the metrics, carefully select your target audiences.
 Define the aim for which the metrics were created.
 Prepare measurements based on the project’s specific requirements. Assess
the financial gain associated with each statistic.
 Match the measurements to the project lifestyle phase for the best results.
The major benefit of automated testing is that it allows testers to complete more
tests in less time while also covering a large number of variations that would be
practically difficult to calculate manually.

Software Reliability :
Reliability Testing is a testing technique that relates to testing the ability of
software to function and given environmental conditions that help in uncovering
issues in the software design and functionality.
This article focuses on discussing Reliability testing in detail.

What is Reliability Testing?

Reliability testing is a Type of software testing that evaluates the ability of a

system to perform its intended function consistently and without failure over an
extended period.
1. Reliability testing aims to identify and address issues that can cause the system
to fail or become unavailable.
2. It is defined as a type of software testing that determines whether the software
can perform a failure-free operation for a specific period in a specific
environment.
3. It ensures that the product is fault-free and is reliable for its intended purpose.
4. It is an important aspect of software testing as it helps to ensure that the system
will be able to meet the needs of its users over the long term.
5. It can also help to identify issues that may not be immediately apparent during
functional testing, such as memory leaks or other performance issues.
For those looking to gain a comprehensive understanding of reliability testing and
other key testing methodologies, consider enrolling in this in-depth software
testing course. It provides the knowledge and hands-on experience necessary to
master the various aspects of software testing and ensure the quality of your
software projects.
Reliability testing Categories
1. Modelling

Modelling in reliability testing involves creating mathematical or statistical

representations of how a product or system might fail over time. It’s like making
an educated guess about the product’s lifespan based on its design and
components. This helps predict when and how failures might occur without
actually waiting for the product to fail in real life.

2. Measurement
Measurement focuses on collecting real-world data about a product’s
performance and failures. This involves testing products under various conditions
and recording when and how they fail. It’s about gathering concrete evidence of
reliability rather than just predictions.

3. Improvement
Improvement uses the insights gained from modelling and measurement to
enhance the reliability of a product or system. This involves identifying weak
points, redesigning components, or changing manufacturing processes to make
the product more reliable.

Different Ways to Perform Reliability Testing

1. Stress testing: Stress testing involves subjecting the system to high levels of
load or usage to identify performance bottlenecks or issues that can cause the
system to fail
2. Endurance testing: Endurance testing involves running the system
continuously for an extended period to identify issues that may occur over
time
3. Recovery testing: Recovery testing is testing the system’s ability to recover
from failures or crashes.
4. Environmental Testing: Conducting tests on the product or system in various
environmental settings, such as temperature shifts, humidity levels, vibration
exposure or shock exposure, helps in evaluating its dependability in real-
world circumstances.
5. Performance Testing: In Performance Testing It is possible to make sure that
the system continuously satisfies the necessary specifications and
performance criteria by assessing its performance at both peak and normal
load levels.
Types of Reliability Testing

1. Feature Testing
Following three steps are involved in this testing:
 Each function in the software should be executed at least once.
 Interaction between two or more functions should be reduced.
 Each function should be properly executed.

2. Regression Testing
Regression testing is basically performed whenever any new functionality is
added, old functionalities are removed or the bugs are fixed in an application to
make sure with introduction of new functionality or with the fixing of previous
bugs, no new bugs are introduced in the application.

3. Load Testing
Load testing is carried out to determine whether the application is supporting the
required load without getting breakdown. It is performed to check the
performance of the software under maximum work load.

4. Stress Testing
This type of testing involves subjecting the system to high levels of usage or load
in order to identify performance bottlenecks or issues that can cause the system
to fail.

5. Endurance Testing
This type of testing involves running the system continuously for an extended
period of time in order to identify issues that may occur over time, such as
memory leaks or other performance issues.
Recovery testing: This type of testing involves testing the system’s ability to
recover from failures or crashes, and to return to normal operation.

6. Volume Testing
Volume Testing is a type of testing involves testing the system’s ability to handle
large amounts of data. This type of testing is similar to endurance testing, but it
focuses on the stability of the system under a normal, expected load over a long
period of time.

7. Spike Testing
This type of testing involves subjecting the system to sudden, unexpected
increases in load or usage in order to identify performance bottlenecks or issues
that can cause the system to fail.
Defect tracking Tools:

Jira
Jira is one of the most important bug tracking tools. Jira is an open-source tool
that is used for bug tracking, project management, and issue tracking in manual
testing. Jira includes different features, like reporting, recording, and workflow.
In Jira, we can track all kinds of bugs and issues, which are related to the software
and generated by the test engineer.

To get the complete details about Jira tool, refer to the below link:

Bugzilla
Bugzilla is another important bug tracking tool, which is most widely used by
many organizations to track the bugs. It is an open-source tool, which is used to
help the customer, and the client to maintain the track of the bugs. It is also used
as a test management tool because, in this, we can easily link other test case
management tools such as ALM, quality Centre, etc.

It supports various operating systems such as Windows, Linux, and Mac.

BugNet
It is an open-source defect tracking and project issue management tool, which
was written in ASP.NET and C# programming language and support the
Microsoft SQL database. The objective of BugNet is to reduce the complicity of
the code that makes the deployment easy.

The advanced version of BugNet is licensed for commercial use.

Redmine
It is an open-source tool which is used to track the issues and web-based project
management tool. Redmine tool is written in Ruby programing language and also
compatible with multiple databases like MySQL, Microsoft SQL, and SQLite.

While using the Redmine tool, users can also manage various projects and related
subprojects.

MantisBT
MantisBT stands for Mantis Bug Tracker. It is a web-based bug tracking
system, and it is also an open-source tool. MantisBT is used to follow the software
defects. It is executed in the PHP programing language.
Trac
Another defect/ bug tracking tool is Trac, which is also an open-source web-based
tool. It is written in the Python programming language. Trac supports various
operating systems such as Windows, Mac, UNIX, Linux, and so on. Trac is
helpful in tracking the issues for software development projects.

We can access it through code, view changes, and view history. This tool supports
multiple projects, and it includes a wide range of plugins that provide many
optional features, which keep the main system simple and easy to use.

Backlog
The backlog is widely used to manage the IT projects and track the bugs. It is
mainly built for the development team for reporting the bugs with the complete
details of the issues, comments, updates and change of status. It is a project
management software.