Problem solve

Software Testing and QA Fundamentals

• Why flaky tests are a problem you can't ignore

  Monotonous as the task might be, QA must detect and fix the root causes of flaky tests. Invest the time and effort, or risk the dangers of an unreliable test automation suite. Continue Reading

• 10 skills of highly effective software testers

  QA professionals with hands-on experience and a mix of technical and soft skills offer great value for software engineering teams. Testers with these 10 skills can boost their careers. Continue Reading

• How can I course-correct my testing career path?

  Don't get stuck in QA monotony. Show your technical knowhow and expand your horizons to boost your career -- even if it means throwing out the map. Continue Reading

• Learn how to improve software quality with reverse-engineering

  Customer complaints about a team's app can contain insight on how to improve it. Yet, to decipher the actual cause of any problem and a change to fix it, QA needs to be brought in. Continue Reading

• Checklist for mobile app testing: 12 gaps to look out for

  Emulators and automation tools are useful, but don't rely on them solely. Use this checklist for mobile app testing to ensure that software has no critical flaws. Continue Reading

• Don't fear chaos engineering if you are a DevOps tester

  DevOps teams use chaos engineering, but at what cost? Learn how this testing method secures applications in ways that traditional testing can't.Continue Reading

• Is a software test schedule at the development team's mercy?

  Does the development team determine the software test schedule? Find out why working with DevOps can alleviate some time and test constraints.Continue Reading

• Tips for making software QA testing reports acceptable

  Why don't users seem to appreciate typical software QA testing status reports?Continue Reading

• QA should be present for Agile story mapping

  What is a respectful way to insist that QA and other stakeholders be included in Agile story mapping for new projects?Continue Reading

• Does a tester actually need test cases?

  Discover whether or not test cases are necessary in this expert answer by consultant Robin Goldsmith.Continue Reading

• Are cloud-based ALM systems safe?

  Is it safe to move from on-premises application lifecycle management tools to cloud-based tools? Read this expert answer to find out.Continue Reading

• Five tools to improve embedded software testing efforts

  Embedded software testing tools are useful for catching defects during unit, integration and system testing. Here are five such tools that can make testing easier.Continue Reading

• SaaS application testing: Keep performance tests in mind

  Performance testing must be a high priority for SaaS application testers. Learn why and pick up tips on how to test a SaaS system's performance.Continue Reading

• How to write test scripts other testers can follow

  Software testing veteran Peter Walen explains how software testers can write test scripts that others can follow without having to test by rote.Continue Reading

• Web-based application testing versus desktop application testing

  Project managers need to understand the major differences between Web-based application testing and testing traditional desktop applications.Continue Reading

• How to measure test progress: Every picture tells a story

  Seeing the big picture when it comes managing the progress of your software tests may require putting together all the little picture pieces.Continue Reading

• Testing your health care application for use on mobile devices

  Software testers need to take several factors into account when testing a health care application for mobile device use.Continue Reading

• Why user interface testing is important

  User interface testing is essential for ensuring a positive user experience, according to Agile expert Lisa Crispin.Continue Reading

• Exploring the shifting roles in test and QA management

  If Agile software teams reorganize and report to one line manager, what happens to test and QA management? Matt Heusser shares his answer with you.Continue Reading

• Defect tracking: What is the purpose?

  Defect tracking can be tedious, yet comparing tracked defects can also help testers improve their work. Expert Pete Walen explains how the reasons behind defect tracking makes a difference.Continue Reading

• Understanding test data: How project managers evaluate test cases

  While many organizations may look for simple ways to measure progress, it is important for project managers to fully interpret and understand test results, whether that data comes from automated tests or manual tests.Continue Reading

• What is the software tester's role in release management?

  In this expert response, Lisa Crispin explains how the tester contributes to the release management process on an Agile development team.Continue Reading

• Four ways to reduce software testing cost without sacrificing quality

  Matt Heusser, lead editor of "How to Reduce the Cost of Software Testing," shares a few of his favorite tips on how to reduce testing costs without sacrificing quality.Continue Reading

• Software development bugs: How to identify and prevent them

  With strong Agile practices such as unit testing, code reviews and proper attention to requirements, bugs can be prevented or found early in the application lifecycle.Continue Reading

• Defect tracking: Lean principles for getting the right data at the right time

  In this tip, author Paul E. McMahon describes how Lean principles can be used to help determine when defect tracking is appropriate for your organization and what type of data is important to collect.Continue Reading

• Quality metrics: Defect tracking throughout the software lifecycle

  Though software test experts do agree on a lot, the question of whether or not to track defects before code is released to production is a subject of great debate. In this two-part series, we will look at both sides of the issue, starting with the ...Continue Reading

• Software test professionals: Five tester personality types

  Balancing a test team with diverse skill sets and personalities can help provide a strong team. In this tip, Catherine Powell describes five distinctive tester personality types: the questioner, the fixer, the submarine, the visual aide and the ...Continue Reading

• Continuous integration: Quality from the start with automated regression

  Using appropriate automated testing will efficiently bake quality into your code from the start. In this tip, learn how continuous integration is key to enhancing quality throughout the development process.Continue Reading

• Agile software development: Tips for writing testable user stories

  Testing pressures are always high on Agile projects. In this article we explore some of the ways adding clarity to stories can help make testing easier for all parties involved.Continue Reading

• CIOs and software quality assurance: Five hurdles for QA managers

  Director of QA and instructor John Scarpino has provided tips for overcoming five hurdles associated with CIO expectations.Continue Reading

• Practicing Scrum with outsourced QA teams

  QA and testing are integral parts of software development, and expert Lisa Crispin holds that the team operates more effectively when QA is not outsourced. However, when this isn't possible, the quality testing group must be involved in daily scrum ...Continue Reading

• Agile methodology techniques: Unit test, automation and test-driven development

  Yvette Francino explains the basics of unit test, automation and test-driven development. Test-driven development (TDD) is a form of unit testing, originating from the agile methodology XP. The tests are written and executed using short iterations, ...Continue Reading

• How to regression test Web-based applications

  Software test consultant John Overbaugh gives some helpful advice about regression testing Web-based applications. Overbaugh describes regression testing browser platforms and how to test for backwards compatibility.Continue Reading

• What is the difference between code coverage and test coverage?

  Code coverage and test coverage metrics are both measurements that can be useful to assess the quality of your application code. Code coverage is a term to describe which application code is exercised when the application is running. Test coverage ...Continue Reading

• Explaining software security responsibilities to the staff, QA department and management

  One of the largest problems in software security is choosing to look the other way. Even with multiple regulation departments, many managers choose to look the other way on security issues, what can be done?Continue Reading

• Nine ways to evaluate automated software testing tools

  Evaluate automated software testing tools more thoroughly with these tips for analyzing cost, support, total cost of ownership, usability and more. This tip suggests questions to ask about each attribute of a tool and a vendor's support for it.Continue Reading

• Manipulating Business Intelligence to solve dense data warehouse testing issues

  Before diving into a Business Intelligence, data project, development must construct a test strategy. The test strategy must intuitively predict potential software problems. In order to do this, testers and developers need to have insight into what ...Continue Reading

• Five steps to fostering better software tester and QA results

  Separating the activities of software quality assurance analysts and testers can ensure application quality. This tip suggests steps for keeping QA and testing focused on quality.Continue Reading

• Seven steps for a quality change and configuration management program

  This tip outlines several ways to ensure you have a topnotch change and configuration management (CCM) division on your project team which is vital in protecting software code.Continue Reading

• Winning responses to "Why is QA always the bottleneck?"

  Executives are notorious for criticizing QA and test pros, often labeling them as the "bottleneck" of software projects. Learn appropriate responses to upper management's unfair and difficult inquiries in this useful tip.Continue Reading

• 5 ways to answer executives' unfair software test, QA questions

  Learn how respond to these difficult management questions and other common software test-related inquiries in this tip. Veteran tester Matt Heusser offers answers to executives' commonly-asked unfair questions about test and QA results.Continue Reading

• Five roles test managers play in agile development: Tutorial, part one

  This two-part tutorial explores five higher-order functions where an experienced test manager contributes to an agile organization. This installment covers interfacing with senior management; providing vision and leadership; and fostering ...Continue Reading

• Quality assurance (QA) and testing's role in requirements

  Common wisdom is to include QA/testing early in the software life cycle, but this practice actually has a number of hidden pitfalls that can reduce the effectiveness of the requirements process.Continue Reading

• Test case preparation for a Web-based application

  Test case preparation is the setup work that prepares you to design and execute your tests. Learn what this preparation might entail for a Web-based app.Continue Reading

• The difference between functional testing and regression testing

  Learn how regression testing differs from functional testing and user acceptance testing.Continue Reading

• What is test granularity?

  Test granularity is the level of detail at which your software tests and test cases address your project.Continue Reading

• Two-minute guide to determining software testing coverage

  Get a crash course on deciding which features to test and when and how to test them.Continue Reading

• What is test environment management?

  Test environment management is the process by which test machines (clients, servers, or both) are managed. Learn how to implement proper test environment management.Continue Reading

• How to become an expert in performance testing

  A beginner performance tester seeks advice on becoming an expert in the field.Continue Reading

• Formulating test status reports based on daily status criteria

  A user requests help deriving the daily status criteria for the test execution of a software project, with status criteria including test execution criteria, test case failure rate and bug rate.Continue Reading

• How to determine test coverage in a software project

  Determining test coverage is best served with three measurable categories (mapping requirements to test cases, test case status and code coverage analysis), plus a fourth subjective category.Continue Reading

• Test coverage matrix vs. traceability matrix

  What is the difference between a test coverage matrix and a traceability matrix?Continue Reading

• How testers can convince developers of software errors

  If a tester fully understands the software errors found and can show the impact of them, then he is more likely to get developers to fix them.Continue Reading

• How to match the test environment to the production environment

  Testers often find a gulf between test results in a test environment and test results in a production environment. Testing expert John Overbaugh offers strategies for ensuring that test results in different environments match.Continue Reading

• How to test software with dynamic requirements

  Testers cannot assume that requirements will be well-defined and static. Testing expert Mike Kelly explains how to work with dynamic requirements to create responsive tests.Continue Reading

• Test metrics and use case coverage during testing

  When using use cases to drive testing, it's important to understand that there are no industry standards for coverage. Testing expert Mike Kelly explains how testers should approach dubious metrics.Continue Reading

• How to learn white box testing

  Learning white box testing, also known as clear box or glass box testing, can be accomplished by following a series of steps. Testing expert Mike Kelly explains how to approach this learning process.Continue Reading

• When to begin testing in the SDLC

  Testing is one of the most important components of the software development lifecycle, but when to begin testing depends on a number of factors. Expert Mike Kelly discusses how certain issues affect the timing of testing in the SDLC.Continue Reading

• Building automated tests for legacy applications

  Automating tests for legacy applications has benefits but may not always be practical. Expert Karen N. Johnson discusses the advantages of manual testing versus automated testing for legacy apps.Continue Reading

• Software testing in a virtual environment

  Performance testing your applications in a virtual environment introduces a number of challenges. Expert Mike Kelly explains what testers should anticipate when testing applications in a virtual environment.Continue Reading

• Software testers: Identity crisis or delusions of grandeur?

  Without a clear understanding of what software testers do, it's only natural that people try to interpret what they do from their job title. The problem is the number of different titles people have creates confusion, says Scott Barber.Continue Reading

• Determining the testing organization's place within a company

  Software testing organizations are a vital part of the SDLC, but where do testing groups fit within a company? Mike Kelly and Rob Apmann offer advice on finding the proper place for testing.Continue Reading

• How to test a data warehouse

  Testing a data warehouse is not very different from a typical testing project. Baher Malek advises testers on creating robust test cases and basing test design and execution on context.Continue Reading

• How to specialize in performance testing

  Performance testers need to have a strong set of skills, the right attitude and an aptitude for the subject. Expert Mike Kelly explains how to approach performance testing and other specialized testing fields.Continue Reading

• The effectiveness of code coverage tools in software testing

  Coverage tools when run with the application under test will tell you how much code is covered by the executed test cases.Continue Reading

• How to thoroughly test a website without automated tools

  Manual website testing is a challenge, but that doesn't mean it can't be thorough. Expert Karen N. Johnson explains how to test a high-functioning website without automated technology.Continue Reading

• How to set up a test environment

  Software testing environments should be created according to the context of the software test. Expert Scott Barber offers his advice concerning test environments.Continue Reading

• How to choose a software testing methodology

  Choosing the right testing methodology, be it agile, waterfall, V-model or spiral model, depends on the software project, explains expert John Overbaugh.Continue Reading

• Test software with a user perspective

  When testing software you need to think beyond how users are intended to use software. Think also about how they could misuse it.Continue Reading

• Granularity in test case design

  Test case granularity is a complex issue in test case design. Expert John Overbaugh explains how to determine how detailed your test cases should be.Continue Reading

• Prioritizing software testing on little time

  Too many test cases and too little time? Expert Scott Barber explains how to prioritize testing.Continue Reading

• How to estimate for testing on a new software project

  What do you do if you have a new project and no historical data for reference, and you need to estimate for software testing? Test experts Karen N. Johnson and Mike Kelly explain.Continue Reading

• Testers' involvement in requirements gathering important

  In this increasingly complex software development era, it is important to include testing as early in the project as possible. And that means starting with requirements gathering.Continue Reading

• Software testers need to understand architecture, business domain

  If a software tester is to be successful, he must have expertise in the business domain and in the architecture on which the software is built.Continue Reading

• How to make testing estimation more accurate

  Estimating the testing cycle is very difficult. Expert Karen N. Johnson offers advice to make estimation more accurate, in current and future projects.Continue Reading

• The A-B-C's of software testing models

  Testers can use various models when testing software, such as waterfall, iterative and agile styles. Scott Barber explains their differences to help you decide which is best for your software testing team.Continue Reading

• How to write an effective test report

  This member-submitted tip provides a guideline for essential information that should be included in a test report.Continue Reading

• Don't mistake user acceptance testing for acceptance testing

  Despite the many references that concur on the definition of acceptance testing, people still get confused. Scott Barber clarifies things in this month's Peak Performance column.Continue Reading

• Automated software testing: The role of a test engineer

  A core role within the Testing Center of Excellence, the test automation engineer is responsible for automating as much of the testing effort as possible. The challenge is, however, determining what should be automated and in what sequence in order ...Continue Reading

• Software testing processes and development methodologies

  Testing phases and processes vary by development methodologies, but is there any best development methodology for your test plan? Expert Scott Barber offers his advice.Continue Reading

• How to conduct smoke and sanity tests

  Regression testing is enhanced, not replaced, by smoke and sanity testing. Expert John Overbaugh explains what these tests are and how to effectively conduct them.Continue Reading

• How to create a testing scorecard

  A software testing scorecard can be a good tool for managing a team's progress. Expert John Overbaugh explains how to create a testing scorecard and that fits yours and the customer's needs.Continue Reading

• How to test a payment gateway on a Web application

  Testing a payment gateway is similar to testing other features; however, security testing plays an obviously important role. Expert John Overbaugh explains.Continue Reading

• Who does what in a Testing Center of Excellence?

  With a Testing Center of Excellence (TCE) an organization can improve its software testing. Learn how and what each TCE participant does in this article from David W. JohnsonContinue Reading

• How to test Web services

  Testing Web services requires some adjustment on the part of the tester. Expert Mike Kelly explains how to approach testing Web services and how it differs from testing other software.Continue Reading

• Software assurance and risk management techniques

  Software assurance is essential for producing quality software, and risk management plays a big role. Expert Karen N. Johnson explains what these terms mean and how to incorporate them into your testing process.Continue Reading

• Comprehensive software testing and complex algorithms

  Achieving test coverage often necessitates collaboration among groups that may not normally work with one another. Expert Mike Kelly explains how to test comprehensively under difficult circumstances.Continue Reading

• Test plan and test strategy

  Software testing is helped by a good test plans, strategies and logistics. Expert Scott Barber explains what these aspects of the testing methodology are.Continue Reading

• The value of documenting test case results

  Expected and actual results of test cases should be documented for a number of reasons. Software testing expert Karen N. Johnson details the benefits.Continue Reading

• Software testing deliverables: From test plans to status reports

  Core sets of deliverable are required for any software testing phase. In many cases they include a test plan, test case, defect documentation and status report. Learn what is required for each in this tip from David W. Johnson.Continue Reading

• Create one text file that contains all the stored procedures and triggers in a database

  This script will send the contents of all the stored procedures, functions and triggers in a database to a text file, eliminating the need to go through every script to find what you're looking for.Continue Reading

• The role of a software test manager

  Effective software test managers not only understand the discipline of testing, but they are also able to manage and implement a testing process in their organizations. That requires team leading skills, communication skills, and being able to ...Continue Reading

• Software bugs, errors and defects: What's the difference?

  The definitions of bug, error and defect may vary depending on the context. Software testing and QA expert Mike Kelly clarifies how these terms may be used.Continue Reading