1. What is Risk-Based Testing and why is it important?
2. How Risk-Based Testing Differs from Other Testing Approaches?
3. What metrics are used in Risk-Based Testing reports?
4. Test Report Preparation
5. Risk-Breakdown Structure
6. Steps in a Risk-Based Testing Approach
7. Tools and Automation for Risk-Based Testing
8. Benefits of Risk-Based Testing for Businesses in the UK
9. Leverage AI for Smarter Risk Assessment
10. Conclusion
11. How can TestingXperts help Businesses with Risk-Based Testing?

Risk-based testing is a software testing approach that prioritises testing efforts and resources based on different software application components’ potential risks and impacts. The goal of risk-based quality assurance testing is to identify the critical areas of the software that require the most attention and to allocate testing resources accordingly.

The process of risk-based testing involves analysing the software application to identify potential risks. For instance, defects, failures, security breaches, or other types of issues that could negatively impact the end users or the business. Once risks are identified, they are evaluated based on their likelihood of occurring and their potential impact on the system.

Based on this analysis, testing efforts for businesses in the United Kingdom should be focused on the areas with the highest risk. Critical functionalities and features are tested more thoroughly than less important or lower-risk features. This approach allows testing teams to prioritise their efforts to focus on the areas that are most likely to cause problems or issues.

What is Risk-Based Testing, and why is it important?

The primary goal of risk-based testing is to identify and mitigate the most significant risks that could affect the quality, reliability, or usability of the software. By focused testing efforts on the areas that are most likely to pose risks, risk-based testing can help ensure that the software meets the requirements and expectations of stakeholders and reduces the likelihood of defects or issues that could impact the user experience or the business value of the application.

The key outcome of risk-based testing is to ensure that software is of high quality and meets the needs and expectations of stakeholders by identifying and mitigating the most significant risks that could impact the success of the application.

How Risk-Based Testing Differs from other Testing Approaches?

Risk-based testing focuses on identifying and prioritizing testing activities based on the level of risk associated with various features or components of the software system under test. Here are some ways in which risk-based testing differs from other testing approaches:

Test coverage:

The focus is on identifying the most critical areas of the software system that require the most attention and coverage, while other testing approaches may aim for a broader range across the system.

Prioritization:

It prioritizes testing activities based on the level of risk associated with the various features or components of the software system, while other testing approaches may prioritize based on functional requirements or other factors.

Risk assessment:

The risk assessment is an ongoing process that helps identify, assess and mitigate risks throughout the software development lifecycle. At the same time, other testing approaches may not emphasize risk assessment as much.

Test planning:

Careful planning is needed to identify critical areas and prioritize testing based on associated risks. Other testing approaches may not require such detailed planning.

Test execution:

It focuses on executing tests in areas of the system identified as high-risk, while other testing approaches may run tests based on functional requirements or other criteria.

Risk-Based Testing aims to optimize the testing effort by focusing on areas of the software system that pose the highest risks to quality and functionality. This approach helps ensure that testing efforts are aligned with business objectives and can help reduce the overall testing effort by focusing on areas that are most critical.

What metrics are used in Risk-Based Testing reports?

The main objective of risk-based testing is to identify and mitigate the high-risk areas in the application. The following are some of the results and metrics that can be used to evaluate the effectiveness of risk-based testing:

Test coverage:

Test coverage is the extent to which the software under test has been tested. In risk-based software testing, the focus is on high-risk areas, so the test coverage should reflect this. A higher percentage of test coverage in high-risk areas indicates that the testing effort has been targeted effectively.

Defect density:

Defect density is the number of defects found in a specific area of the software. In risk-based testing, high-risk areas should have a higher defect density. Low defect density in high-risk areas may suggest insufficient testing focus on those critical components.

Test case effectiveness:

Test case effectiveness measures how well the test cases cover the requirements and identify defects. In risk-based approach to testing, test case effectiveness should be high for high-risk areas.

Defect severity:

Defect severity measures the impact of a defect on the software. In risk-based testing, high-risk areas should have a higher severity level for defects found.

Risk reduction:

Risk reduction measures the effectiveness of the risk-based testing approach. It compares the number of high-risk areas before testing to the number of high-risk areas after testing. The higher the risk reduction, the more effective the testing approach.

Test effectiveness:

Test effectiveness measures the overall effectiveness of the testing effort. In risk-based testing, the test effectiveness should be high for high-risk areas.

Test Report Preparation

Preparing a test report involves documenting the results and findings of a testing process. The report should be detailed, organized, and concise, and it should communicate the information effectively to stakeholders such as project managers, developers, and clients.

Here are some steps to follow when preparing a test report:

Identify the purpose and audience of the report:

Before starting the report, identify the intended purpose and audience. Determine what information needs to be included, and how the report will be used.

Define the scope of the testing:

Specify the scope of the testing that was performed, including the type of testing (risk-based functional testing, risk-based regression testing, risk-based performance testing, risk-based security testing), the testing environment, and the systems or applications that were tested.

Describe the testing process:

Describe the testing process that was used, including the testing methodology, test plan, and test cases. Include any issues that were encountered during the testing process.

Present the results:

Present the results of the testing in a clear and concise manner. Use tables, charts, and graphs to help visualize the data. Include any defects that were found during testing, along with their severity and priority.

Provide recommendations:

Provide recommendations for addressing the defects that were found during testing. These recommendations include suggested code changes, updates to the test plan, and additional testing that may be required.

Conclude the report:

Conclude the report by summarizing the key findings and recommendations. Include any lessons learned during the testing process and highlight any areas that may require additional attention in future testing efforts.

Risk-Breakdown Structure

Risk Breakdown Structure (RBS) is a hierarchical representation of potential project risks organized by categories and subcategories. It is a tool used in project management to identify, analyze and communicate project risks to stakeholders.

The RBS typically includes categories such as external risks (related to market, legal, and regulatory factors), internal risks (related to project management, technology, and resources), and other risks (related to environmental and safety factors). Each category is further subdivided into more specific risks, which are then analyzed in more detail to determine their probability of occurrence, potential impact, and strategies to mitigate or manage them.

Steps in a Risk-Based Testing Approach

A risk-based testing approach is a method of testing software that prioritizes testing efforts based on the level of risk associated with the system under test. The following are the general steps involved in a risk-based testing :

Identify Risks:

The first step in a risk-based testing approach is to identify the potential risks associated with the software. This can be done by reviewing requirements, user stories, and other project documentation, as well as by consulting with subject matter experts.

Assess Risks:

Once the risks are identified, the next step is to assess their likelihood and impact on the software system. This can be done using various techniques such as risk matrices, risk registers, or probability and impact analysis.

Prioritize Risks:

After assessing the risks, the next step is to prioritize them based on their severity, likelihood, and impact. This prioritization helps to determine which risks to address first or later.

Develop Test Cases:

Once the risks are prioritized, the next step is to develop test cases that pay attention to the most critical threats. These test cases should cover the functionality of the software that is most likely to be affected by the identified risks.

Execute Tests:

The test cases developed in the previous step should be executed to verify that the software functions as intended and to identify any defects or issues.

Evaluate Results:

The results of the tests should be evaluated to determine if the software meets the desired level of quality. If any defects or issues are identified, they should be prioritized based on their severity and addressed in subsequent testing cycles.

Repeat:

The risk-based testing approach is an iterative process, and the steps outlined above should be repeated until the desired level of quality is achieved.

Reassess risk as the product evolves: 

Risk is ever-changing. Potential risks evolve along with code modifications, integrations, and sprints. Risk assessments should be reviewed at significant milestones, such as the conclusion of each sprint, after significant code changes, or whenever new components are added. This continuous assessment guarantees that the testing approach remains in line with changing software reality. 

Tools and Automation for Risk-Based Testing 

Modern risk-based testing is about smart planning and execution. The right tools and automation frameworks scale AI-driven strategies with speed. Some risk-based testing tools include: 

• Test Management Suites  

Teams may link test cases to risk levels, preserve traceability, and match testing priorities with business effect using platforms like TestRail, Xray, and Zephyr. These tools make communication easier and guarantee that testers concentrate on the most important tasks. 

• Risk Matrix Generators  

Risk matrix solutions, whether independent or integrated, assist teams in visualizing which elements have the greatest potential for failure and business consequences. These matrices direct data-driven choices on the distribution of effort and the selection of test cases. 

• AI-Powered Risk Analytics  

AI is used by next-generation platforms to examine test coverage gaps, code churn, and historical defect trends. These solutions allow teams to act proactively before problems arise by automatically indicating high-risk areas. 

• Automation Frameworks  

Automation is essential to the success of risk-based testing. High-priority tests can be dynamically triggered by continuous testing pipelines according to risk scores, guaranteeing prompt feedback on areas that are crucial to the company following each build. 

What are the benefits of Risk-Based Testing for UK businesses?

Risk-based testing is a software testing approach that involves identifying and prioritizing the most critical risks associated with a software application and focusing testing efforts on those areas. Here are some of the key benefits of using risk-based testing service:

Maximizes testing efficiency:

By focusing testing efforts on the most critical areas of the software, risk-based testing ensures that the testing team is using its resources efficiently. This approach allows testers to focus their time and energy on the areas of the application that are most likely to cause problems or have the highest impact on users.

Helps to identify defects earlier:

Risk-based testing enables testers to identify defects and vulnerabilities earlier in the development process. This approach helps prevent costly issues later in development by addressing risks early in the testing process.

Improves software quality:

By focusing testing efforts on the most critical areas of the software, risk-based testing helps to ensure that the application meets the needs and expectations of its users. This approach can lead to higher quality software that is more reliable, efficient, and user-friendly.

Reduces costs:

Risk-based testing can help to reduce the overall costs associated with software testing. By prioritizing the most critical areas of the application, this approach ensures that testing resources are used efficiently and effectively, which can help to reduce the time and costs associated with testing.

Enhances stakeholder confidence:

By prioritizing the most critical areas of the software, risk-based testing can help to build stakeholder confidence in the application. This approach demonstrates a clear focus on quality and can help to build trust among users, customers, and other stakeholders.

Leverage AI for Smarter Risk Assessment 

With software systems getting complex, traditional risk assessment methods cannot cope up. Artificial Intelligence plays a crucial role in improving how teams identify and prioritise risk.  

AI models can analyse large historical data to detect logs, code changes, test coverage, and commit frequency. These further help flag areas that have a higher failure probability.  

It enables QA teams to focus testing efforts on modules that are likely to break before manual risk analysis is performed. For example, if a component has a higher defect recurrence rate or is undergoing frequent code changes, AI can quickly surface it as high risk and prompt deeper testing.  

AI-driven risk assessment guarantees accurate prioritisation and supports faster test planning decisions. 

Align Risk-Based Testing with Compliance Requirements  

Banking, insurance, and healthcare are some of the industries that have to follow tight rules. So, risk-based testing should be in line with compliance by mapping test cases. It makes sure that compliance areas with a lot of risk and impact are never missed.

For example, the GDPR’s requirements for data protection can be perceived as threats. Adding compliance to RBT will make it less likely that you will fail an audit or get a fine. 

Conclusion

In conclusion, risk-based testing is an important approach to software testing that helps ensure that testing efforts focus on the most critical areas of the software or system. By prioritizing testing efforts based on potential risks, risk-based testing can help improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the testing process, ultimately leading to higher-quality software and a better user experience.

How can TestingXperts help Businesses in the United Kingdom with Risk-Based Testing? 

Tx is one of the Top 5 pure-play software testing services providers globally. Fortune clients have chosen Tx as a trusted QA partner, ensuring superior testing results for its global clientele. We have expertise in end-to-end testing services for international clients across different industry domains like telecom, healthcare, BFSI, retail & eCommerce, etc.

With over a decade of pure-play testing experience and domain knowledge, Tx has been serving the global clientele with high-quality next-gen testing services to deliver superior solutions to its clients.

The post Risk-Based Testing – A Comprehensive Guide first appeared on TestingXperts.

Content

1. Top Nine Insurance Industry Trends To Watch Out for

1.2 Distributed infrastructure

1.3 Digital transformation

1.4 Automation

1.5 RPA

1.6 Low/No Code Development

1.7 Artificial intelligence (AI)

1.8 Predictive analytics

1.9 Connected insurance internet of things (IoT)

1.10 Chatbots

1.11 Blockchain

2. Conclusion

Thriving within the insurance industry and providing the customers with a distinct user experience comes from adopting a holistic digital mindset-which means staying updated with the insurance industry trends and keeping the business technology strategy updated. Evidently, following the latest trends enables businesses to prepare a roadmap to meet the needs of the evolving insurance landscape.

Top Nine Insurance Industry Trends To Watch Out for

From digital transformation and automation to IoT and chatbots, here are the top insurance technology trends to watch out for in 2025 and beyond.

Distributed infrastructure

Insurance providers worldwide have a significant technology debt as many core business processes still run on on-premises legacy technologies. As more and more business processes move to the cloud, insurance businesses can create and launch new products in faster and more cost-effective ways. Cloud will also enable insurance providers to collect, store, and analyze extensive customer data, such as tens of thousands of claims data points. As ecosystems continue to develop globally, cloud-native insurance providers will be positioned as central hubs among customers, carriers, healthcare providers, vehicle providers, smart home device distributors, and so on.

Digital transformation

This year, policyholders’ spend on technology and IT services is predicted to be $255bn, showcasing the oncoming wave of digital transformation. As a result, proactive insurance providers will develop new capabilities at every customer touchpoint, such as customer support, claims management, transactions, and overall customer experience enhancements.

As the business benefits of digitized insurance services rise across the insurance industry, insurance service providers will gain confidence and invest in digital transformation to offer an unmatched customer experience to their policyholders. Consumers are active on many digital channels and have become used to seamless user experiences – they expect the same while searching for insurance policies. Adopting to multi-access approach in every channel should be a key consideration for insurers in 2025.

Automation

As in the case of other industries, implementing automation in the insurance sector can enable quick, effective, and scalable business processes. Robotic process automation (RPA) is ideal for optimizing many insurance-related operations, such as claims management, automated payments, compliance management, underwriting, policy management, and so on.

ZhongAn, one of the leading insurance companies in China, achieved 99% automation for underwriting and 95% for claims settlement. These stats highlight how automation can be a smart way to streamline insurance business operations in 2025 and beyond.

RPA

With the complex integration of the latest technologies within the insurance sector and the evolving mix of systems, there are a lot of repetitive and manual processes that are ideal candidates for RPA. Also, with rapid mergers and acquisitions happening in the insurance industry, parent companies are looking for innovative ways to convert the existing manual processes into time-efficient automated processes to achieve greater process efficiency. Here, RPA offers the best possible solutions to boost the operational efficiency of insurance businesses by automating repetitive business tasks with a software bot, thus eliminating human intervention.

Low/No Code Development

For insurance businesses to keep up with the cut-throat competition, their business processes must be efficient to manage advanced platforms, deploy updates faster and at scale, and release new products as quickly as possible. Low code/no code development enables simplified and robust configuration, development, testing, and management of insurance apps while ensuring increased productivity and improved customer experiences.

Artificial intelligence (AI)

AI is significantly making its mark in the insurance industry and is one of the key trends on the list. AI is transforming critical insurance processes such as underwriting, pricing, and claims. It is also one of the areas where rigorous research and development is taking place to enhance further business processes such as decision-making, cost optimization, and improving customer experience. Fraud detection is one key area where insurance companies leverage AI.

During the pandemic, fraudulent insurance claims in the U.K. grew by 10%. By integrating AI into the existing business process, insurance companies can reject transactions for false claims and even highlight such cases for further investigation.

Predictive analytics

In 2025, insurance organizations and distributors will be able to do much more with their data. This is especially important for sales and underwriting, in which the sales team can process data via AI and ML. During quoting, insurers can then choose the best insurance policies and plans for individuals and groups, accelerating the sales process. Predictive analytics enable insurance agencies to collect customer data to understand and predict their behavior. Predictive analytics can also identify fraud risks, triage claims, anticipate trends, and so on.

Adopting predictive modeling and analytics has proven to enhance revenue models for insurance providers. A not-so-recent yet noteworthy study from Valen Analytics found that insurance companies that utilized predictive analytics improved their loss ratios by up to 9 and raised their direct written premiums by 53%.

Connected insurance internet of things (IoT)

Connected insurance is a progression of the legacy insurance model. Connected car insurance is an example of insurance premiums based on the driver’s behavior. Benefits to insurance providers include improved driving behavior, reduced fraud, reduction in operational costs, improved CX, etc. Most insurance holders are willing to share additional personal data to save money on their insurance policies. IoT can automate the data collection from IoT devices such as smart homes, smart fire alarms, fitness trackers, automobile sensors, etc. to better determine rates, mitigate risk, and even prevent losses in the first place.

IoT will bolster other insurance technology with first-hand data, improving the accuracy of risk assessment, giving insureds more power to impact their policy pricing directly, and insurers the opportunity to improve accuracy and revenues.

Chatbots

Chatbots today are executing most of the customer interactions for digital businesses. By leveraging AI and ML, chatbots can seamlessly interact with customers without any human intervention. Ultimately, insurance companies can save time and money by integrating chatbots instead of a full-blown customer support department. A bot can guide a customer through filling up forms for signing up for a policy or raising claims, while humans can be reserved for other complex business needs. Insurers can reduce their operational costs by adopting chatbots or digital assistants.

Blockchain

Blockchain facilitates the establishment of an immutable digital ledger. Leveraging this innovation, insurers can curtail administrative expenses associated with claims assessment and the verification of third-party payments. Blockchain guarantees the secure sharing of such data, shielding it from fraudulent activities while offering ease of verification.

As stated by PWC, blockchain holds notable promise for the reinsurance sector, streamlining intricate processes and potentially yielding global savings in the range of USD $5-10 billion. A case in point is healthcare reinsurance, where the adoption of intelligent blockchain contracts could expedite the validation of consumer data and insurance records, thereby mitigating the typically convoluted exchanges.

Furthermore, blockchain’s capability for widespread distribution comes without the concern of duplication, affording enhanced transparency and bolstered governance over workflows

Conclusion

Keeping up with the latest insurance industry trends enables insurers to stay ahead of the competition and deliver as per the latest customer expectations. The tech trends mentioned above will reshape the insurance industry for good, creating space for innovation and opportunities. These evolutions are encouraging insurance providers to expand their capabilities by putting these trends and their implementations on the business agenda for 2025 and beyond.

TestingXperts (Tx) is extensively helping global insurers in their digital transformation and allowing them to provide unmatched customer experience. Tx’s testing services portfolio and unparalleled track record have proved it a preferred technology partner for insurance clients. Connect with us to learn more about our testing services specific to the insurance industry..

The post Top 9 Insurance Industry Trends to Watch Out In 2025 first appeared on TestingXperts.

Elliott Masie, who coined the term eLearning, has rightly said, “We need to bring learning to people instead of people to learning.” In a true sense, eLearning has brought education to people and has given them the privilege to learn anything, anytime and anywhere. It has completely revolutionized the education system and has blurred the boundaries of conventional educational structure. The online education platforms have replaced the concept of fixed learning hours with flexible learning hours, four-walled classrooms with virtual classrooms, and paperback books with digital books.

The eLearning platforms are helping billions of students continue their education in the tough times of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. As per the UNESCO report, currently, there are almost 43,518,726 learners that have been affected worldwide due to the closure of schools. The alternate or only way left for these affected learners is to adopt eLearning apps. Thus, it has become essential for eLearning platform providers to deliver high-quality eLearning apps that work properly 24/7 to deliver a great learning experience to learners.

Content
1. An overview of the eLearning industry
2. Key features of an engaging eLearning platform
3. What are the benefits of leveraging eLearning platforms?
4. Some of the leading eLearning platforms for learners to know in 2022
5. Common challenges of eLearning platforms
6. 11 major software testing types to leverage for eLearning businesses
7. Conclusion

An overview of the eLearning industry

eLearning or online learning is the way of delivering education via electronic media or digital technologies over the internet. eLearning takes into consideration various aspects like audio, video, infographics, and more to deliver content to learners. There are various types of online learning platforms, such as web learning, mobile learning, video modules, virtual classrooms, etc., that facilitate the education management, creation of educational content, delivery of content, and more.

The adoption of online learning platforms is significantly rising and is expected to grow even more in the coming years. According to GlobeNewswire, the global market for eLearning was estimated at US$250.8 Billion in the year 2020 and is projected to reach US$457.8 Billion by 2026, growing at a CAGR of 10.3% over the analysis period.

Key features of an engaging eLearning platform

User-centric features:

1. Alerts and notifications:

eLearning platforms should contain alerts and notification features to notify the users regarding important events, dates, and deadlines.

2. User-friendliness and intuitive Graphical User Interface (GUI):

Proper app navigation, easy-to-read content, active links, and intuitive GUI are some features that are essential to ensure the user-friendliness of an eLearning app.

3. Responsive design:

An eLearning platform needs to have a responsive design. The content of an eLearning app should be made compatible with all devices, like desktop and mobile. Better the responsiveness of an app, the better is the learning experience it provides.

4. Scalable:

The number of learners accessing the app can vary, and on some days, there might be high user load than the usual days. An app needs to be scalable to ensure it works well under varying user loads and delivers a great user experience (UX).

Core-technical features:

1. Real classroom simulation:

Even though online education has several advantages, it still lacks the human touch or peer-to-peer interaction aspect. Therefore, it is essential to ensure a proper communication channel is embedded in an app to simulate the feel of a real classroom.

2. Audio and video conferencing option:

As compared to an offline classroom, group study in an online mode is quite difficult. It is essential for eLearning app providers to ensure their apps have proper audio and video conferencing options to let users connect and learn together as a group.

3. File sharing option:

The eLearning app must support all types of file formats, be it pdf, xls,xlsx, doc, gif, etc. An app should ideally compress the file according to the required format when shared across sources to enable easy sharing of files online.

4. API integration:

An app should have a proper API integration and seamlessly integrate with other software like CRM, talent management, or HR database. It should ensure seamless file transfer across apps and must integrate easily with other apps.

5. Data backup and recovery option:

Data is essential for everyone, be it users or businesses, and to ensure that the data is not lost, all eLearning platforms should have easy data backup and data recovery options.

What are the benefits of leveraging eLearning platforms?

1. Enables learning on the go:

eLearning platforms have made learning easy and convenient for learners as resources such as eBooks, videos, and audios can be accessed from anywhere at any time, thus enabling users to learn on the go.

2. Supports personalization:

Unlike the offline classroom, the eLearning app can be personalized by each user as per their choice. Users can choose the type of content as per their interest, customize the theme of an app for better visibility of content, track their study hours, and more.

3. Supports various formats:

With the help of eLearning platforms, teachers can now teach students using various teaching formats, like advanced infographics, animated videos, compelling audios, and more.

4. Helps in gamification of content:

Many eLearning platforms even support content gamification and make the learning process more engaging. By using video game design and other gaming elements, an eLearning app can be gamified, which maximizes users’ enjoyment and captures their interest, and keeps them engaged with an app.

5. Saves time and cost:

eLearning platform saves a significant amount of time and cost. Since every learning material is available at just the click of a button, there is no need for the users to travel or buy other resources for learning.

Some of the leading eLearning platforms for learners to know in 2022

• Blackboard Inc

• eDX

• SumTotal Systems

• TalentLMS

• Udemy

Common challenges of eLearning platforms

1. Unclear Audio/Video:

Multimedia tools such as audio and video tools play a vital role in keeping the students engaged. However, if the audio or video is not clear or gets stuck in between due to technical issues, it can annoy the learners. Thus, it is essential for eLearning app providers to ensure the proper functioning of video or audio features of their apps.

2. Lack of proper app navigation:

Poor app navigation or excessive scrolling to reach the main content can affect users’ interest. Thus, all eLearning app providers must ensure their app contains proper and easy navigation to keep the user engaged.

3. Slow loading speed:

Faster the loading speed of the application better is the CX. Slow loading apps negatively affect the interest of the user. Therefore, it is essential to ensure that the eLearning app loads fast and works properly under all conditions.

4. Frequent app timeouts:

Frequent timeout of an eLearning app annoys the learner as it breaks the flow of reading/learning. Therefore, eLearning app providers must ensure their apps do not cause frequent timeouts.

5. Incompatibility with browsers/devices:

Another challenge with eLearning apps is their incompatibility with various devices and browsers. Since learners use various types of devices and browsers, eLearning apps should be made compatible with the maximum possible kinds of devices, browsers, and operating systems.

6. Broken links/Inactive buttons:

One of the most common challenges users face with eLearning apps is broken links or inactive buttons. Due to this challenge, users often face difficulty in performing the desired action in an app. Thus, businesses should ensure their links are properly working at all times and all buttons are clickable to deliver a great UX.

7. Content-related challenge:

Content is the king, but if it contains spelling mistakes, wrong font size, or improper font colors, it can hamper the UX. Thus, businesses should ensure their apps contain proper content in an aesthetically correct format.

8. Inappropriate Graphical User Interface (GUI):

GUI of an app can make or break the user’s impression as it is the first thing that the user visualizes while accessing the app. It is essential to ensure that the eLearning app has a great GUI to deliver a great experience to the learner.

9. Poor Internet connectivity:

Consistent internet connectivity is essential to provide an uninterrupted learning experience to the user. If the app does not support the internet properly or causes trouble while connecting to the internet, there is a high chance that users might abandon the app.

Clearly, various challenges are commonly seen in an eLearning platform, but these challenges can be effectively overcome by leveraging end-to-end testing of eLearning platforms.

11 major software testing types to leverage for eLearning businesses

1. Functional testing:

eLearning apps contain several features and functionalities that must work properly to deliver a great learning experience to the user. This is where the need for functional testing for eLearning apps comes into the picture. In this software testing type, the basic or core functionalities of the application are tested to ensure it works properly.

Benefits:

• Ensures the app contains no broken links

• Ensures all the features of the app function correctly

• Ensures core functionalities of an app work properly

2. Integration testing:

Any kind of integration issue in eLearning apps can hamper the learning experience of users. It is essential for eLearning app providers to ensure proper integration testing of software modules, payment gateways, APIs, etc.

Benefits:

• Ensures integrated modules work properly

• Ensures seamless integration of payment gateway, CRM, HR database, and more

• Reduces the risk of app failure

3. Graphical User Interface (GUI) testing:

All eLearning apps should have a proper user interface to keep the users engaged and to provide a seamless learning experience. Businesses should leverage GUI testing to ensure all the GUI elements of their app, such as text boxes, menus, links, buttons, etc., functions properly.

Benefits:

• Validates visual elements of app functions properly

• Improves the readability and quality of an app

• It keeps the user engaged and provides a great UX

4. Non-functional testing:

Non-functional testing is a software testing technique wherein non-functional aspects of the software are tested to ensure its effective performance, reliability, scalability, security, and more. The non-functional requirements of an eLearning app include its user-friendliness, high security, effective performance, etc.

Benefits:

• Validates the reliability, security, performance, and scalability of an app

• Improves app performance

• Ensures better user engagement with an app

5. Usability testing:

eLearning apps should ideally be user-friendly and must contain proper app navigation, and concise content with appropriate font size, color, format, layout, etc. The content placement should be appropriate so that the user does not have to scroll through a maze of content to read the desired information. Thus, eLearning apps should be tested thoroughly by leveraging the usability testing method. This software testing method ensures that the application is easy-to-use and contains proper navigation.

Benefits:

• Ensures an easy-to-use interface

• Checks proper app navigation

• Ensures appropriate placement of text, images, and other multimedia in an app

6. Performance testing:

Performance issues in an app like slow loading speed, frequent app timeouts, sudden app crashes, etc., hampers the learning experience of the user. Businesses should ensure their apps are free from all performance bottlenecks and perform seamlessly under conditions like fluctuating networks, user load, bandwidth, etc. Thus, eLearning app providers should leverage performance testing to deliver scalable, reliable, and high-performing eLearning apps.

Benefits:

• Ensures reliable, scalable, and high-performing apps

• Ensures the app is free from all performance bottlenecks

• Improves load handling capacity of app

• Ensures the app does not crash or behave abruptly under high user load

7. Accessibility testing:

eLearning apps should be accessible to all people, including people that have certain disabilities like hearing loss, impaired vision, cognitive disabilities, etc. eLearning businesses should leverage accessibility testing to ensure their apps are accessible to all including students with certain disabilities. This test also ensures that the app follows all accessibility guidelines like W3C’s WCAG 1.0/2.0/2.1/2.2, BITV 1.0, Section 508 & Stanca Act, etc.

Benefits:

• Ensures equal access to the app to all

• Ensures app complies with web accessibility guidelines

• It helps in expanding the user base

8. Security testing:

Rampant cyberattacks pose a great threat to the security of an app, data, and reputation of the business. Since eLearning apps contain users’ sensitive data, like personal identity, banking credentials, phone numbers, etc. must be protected at any cost. Therefore, eLearning app providers should leverage security testing to safeguard their apps from cyberattacks.

Benefits:

• Protects apps from cyber-attacks by identifying security loopholes

• Safeguards customer sensitive data

• Reduces business risk

9. Globalization and Localization testing:

Every business wants its app to be successful in the global and local markets. Therefore, businesses should leverage globalization and localization testing to ensure their app complies with the language and functionality requirements of the local users in specific regions and delivers a great learning experience.

Benefits:

• Ensures app compliance with local as well global standards, such as L10N and I18N

• Validates an app display correct time and date formats as per the location

• Ensures rapid and successful rollout of product across geographies

10. Compatibility testing:

Users access the app on various types of browsers, operating systems, and devices. It is essential for eLearning app providers to leverage compatibility testing to ensure their apps are compatible with all kinds of browsers, devices, networks, operating systems, and more.

Benefits:

• Validates compatibility of the app across devices, browsers, OS, and networks

• It helps in achieving compatible apps.

• Delivers a great UX as users can seamlessly access the app

11. Compliance testing:

eLearning businesses should ensure their apps complies with certain laws and regulations like the data protection rules, Sharable Content Object Reference Model (SCORM), GDPR compliance, etc. Compliance testing is a special software testing technique that helps businesses ensure their app complies with all legal rules and regulations. It saves them from heavy fines imposed due to non-compliance.

Benefits:

• Validates regulatory compliance of apps

• Saves businesses from heavy fines that are imposed due to non-compliance

• Uplifts brand image as customers like to use apps that are legally complaint

Conclusion

The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the adoption of eLearning apps. Today, students worldwide are using eLearning apps to continue their education in these challenging times. The effective performance, proper functioning, and robust security of eLearning apps have become essential to delivering a great learning experience to learners worldwide. eLearning businesses should leverage end-to-end software testing from a next-gen QA and independent software testing services provider for quality eLearning apps and a great UX.

The post 11 Major Software Testing Types To Leverage for eLearning Businesses first appeared on TestingXperts.

1. Importance of Software Testing
2. Why do Leading Digital Businesses in the UK Outsource Software Testing?
3. How Can Businesses Ensure Higher ROI with Software Testing Outsourcing?
4. Nine Things to Expect When Outsourcing Software Testing
5. Conclusion
6. How can Outsourcing QA to TestingXperts Help Your Digital Business?

Importance of Software Testing

Testing software­ is a crucial part of creating any program, and its role will only expand in the­ coming years. By 2026, software testing will be­ more advanced than eve­r before, with a stronger focus on automation and artificial intelligence. Automated checks can rapidly and thoroughly assess software pe­rformance. AI-driven tools may find bugs or other problems potentially missing by standard approaches. Furthe­rmore, cloud-based solutions are growing in popularity for software­ testing. They allow remote­ access and better ability to adapt te­sting as needs change. .

Why do Leading Digital Businesses in the UK Outsource Software Testing?

Ensuring digital products and service­s satisfy customers and adhere to industry be­nchmarks is crucial for any business in the United Kingdom utilizing te­chnology. Many companies elect to have­ quality assurance professionals from outside ve­ndors evaluate their offe­rings to confirm they maintain top standards. Contracting testing responsibilitie­s to specialized providers can re­duce costs for digital enterprise­s since investing in recruiting, pre­paring, and compensating full-time teste­rs is circumvented.

Additionally, firms dedicate­d solely to software evaluation have­ the most recent technologies and instruments available, which may furthe­r decrease e­xpenses. UK businesse­s have access to a diverse­ pool of expertise that may not e­xist within their organization. They can leve­rage specialized skills and knowle­dge from external e­xperts to help guarantee­ the quality of their offerings. way from training and ove­rseeing internal e­valuators, enabling core business tasks to take­ priority.

Businesse­s can attain high-quality standards through strategic outsourcing, gaining access to assurances that may e­xceed internal capabilitie­s due to constraints or expertise­. This thorough vetting detects de­fects and problems before­ release, minimizing e­xpensive errors late­r. Outsourcing brings flexibility, too, allowing needs to adapt rapidly alongside­ shifts in demand or specifications without costly hiring or procureme­nt. Testing services provide­ dynamic scalability so businesses delive­r their best while focusing most on the­ir core functions.

Customer satisfaction and loyalty increase­ because of products surviving real-world impleme­ntation. There­fore, it is apparent that seeking quality assurance services e­xternally provides digital companies acce­ss to skills, means and adaptability that may not be prese­nt internally, eventually guiding to e­nhanced product quality and customer fulfilment while­ decreasing expe­nses linked to engaging full-time­ personnel with such talents.

How Can Businesses Ensure Higher ROI with Software Testing Outsourcing?

Having outside profe­ssionals conduct software testing can help guarante­e that your programs work well and stay depe­ndable. To help companies gain the­ maximum benefit from outsourcing testing, we­ will cover five proven strate­gies for effective­ly outsourcing your software testing.

Establish clear goals and expectations:

Having outside profe­ssionals conduct software testing can help guarante­e that your programs work well and stay depe­ndable. To help companies gain the­ maximum benefit from outsourcing testing, we­ will cover five proven strate­gies for effective­ly outsourcing your software testing.

Choose the right vendor:

When se­eking out a software testing ve­ndor, it is paramount to select a provider with e­xpertise in this field who can de­liver the require­d services to a high standard and at a fair cost. Be ce­rtain to comprehensively inve­stigate prospective partne­rs, verify refere­nces, and peruse re­views before making your selection. Care­ful research upfront can help e­nsure an optimal partnership and outcome.

Develop a detailed testing plan:

Deve­loping a comprehensive strate­gy will help confirm that every face­t of the undertaking is tried appropriate­ly and completely. Be ce­rtain to incorporate explicit tasks, schedule­s, foreseen re­sults, and any other data that will help stee­r the undertaking’s achieve­ment.

Utilize automated testing tools:

Automated te­sting solutions can be helpful in promptly pinpointing problems within software code or site functionality. Le­veraging automatic testing instruments can pre­serve both time and mone­y while guaranteeing top-notch outcome­s.

Nine Things to Expect When Outsourcing Software Testing

Improved quality assurance:

Constant corresponde­nce is crucial for fruitful outsourcing endeavors. Be­ sure to remain in contact with the software­ testing services supplie­r exclusively throughout the proje­ct’s duration so they comprehend any alte­rations or new necessitie­s as they develop. Furthe­rmore, consistent communication will help guarante­e that everybody e­ngaged is on a similar page with respe­ct to advancement and desire­s for completion dates.

Increased efficiency:

Constant corresponde­nce is crucial for fruitful outsourcing endeavors. Be­ sure to remain in contact with the software­ testing services supplie­r exclusively throughout the proje­ct’s duration so they comprehend any alte­rations or new necessitie­s as they develop. Furthe­rmore, consistent communication will help guarante­e that everybody e­ngaged is on a similar page with respe­ct to advancement and desire­s for completion dates.

Access to expertise:

When organizations outsource­ quality assurance duties, they gain e­ntry to a wealth of skilled testing e­xperts with a dedicated focus on validation and inspe­ction. This permits more exact outcome­s and a deeper unde­rstanding of potential software concerns.

Increased productivity:

An e­xternal quality assurance team may be­ more efficient than an inte­rnal one because the­y are not weighed down by additional re­sponsibilities or distractions that take them away from the­ir primary tasks. An outsourced QA group can focus singularly on testing without the­ divided attentions that sometime­s accompany working inside the original organization.

Faster turnaround:

Bringing in an exte­rnal quality assurance team allows work to flow more e­fficiently as employee­s can dedicate their e­fforts solely to testing without divisions of attention from othe­r concurrent undertakings. Leve­raging an outsourced QA group means the focus re­mains streamlined on the task at hand rathe­r than spreading focus across multiple responsibilitie­s that may pull resources away internally.

Scalability:

When partnering with an e­xternal quality assurance team, companie­s gain the flexibility to expand or re­duce the size of the­ir testing workforce by fluctuating ne­eds without having to dedicate furthe­r staffing or assets on their end. This allows the­ business to optimize resource­ allocation and ensure quality control responsibilitie­s are handled adequate­ly without over-committing the internal workforce.

Reduced overhead costs:

When companies outsource the­ir software testing work, it can help lowe­r certain overhead costs compare­d to employing full-time teste­rs internally. By engaging exte­rnal testing support, businesses avoid e­xpenses like payroll taxe­s, healthcare bene­fits, and other payments typically associated with having software­ testers on the re­gular payroll.

Conclusion

While software­ testing techniques have­ significantly progressed since the­ir beginnings, continued improveme­nts appear imminent as novel te­chnologies develop. Organisations should adopt testing innovations to ensure effective application evaluation and remain competitive in the digital landscape.

How can Outsourcing QA to TestingXperts Help Your Digital Business in the UK?

Tx is among the five most considerable pure­-play software testing service­ providers worldwide. Clients of gre­at renown have chosen Tx as a trusted quality assurance partne­r to ensure superior te­sting results for their global customer base­. We have deve­loped deep e­xpertise in facilitating end-to-e­nd testing services for worldwide­ clients across several industry se­ctors such as healthcare, tele­communications, banking and financial services, retail and e­-commerce.

For over te­n years, our experts have­ helped clients worldwide­ with high-quality software testing. With dee­p experience­ and knowledge, we provide­ cutting-edge testing se­rvices to deliver e­xcellent solutions. Whethe­r validating a new product or improving current systems, clie­nts benefit from our testing e­xpertise.

Our range of QA testing services includes:

Functional Testing:

Tx has years of experience providing functional testing services for clients across domains. Our wide range of functional testing services includes test automation, manual, regression, and mobile application testing. We have in-house mobile test labs with numerous mobile devices.

Non-Functional Testing:

Tx provides a wide range of non-functional testing services such as performance and load testing, security testing, usability testing, and accessibility testing. We also have an in-house performance testing accelerator, ‘Tx-PEARS,’ which helps with all non-functional testing requirements, including continuous monitoring of your infrastructure in production as well as in lower environments.

Our Differentiators:

• 1200+ QA professional experts across domains of healthcare, BFSI, eCommerce & Retail, Travel, etc.

• More than 70% certified employees on various technologies.

• Great Place to Work-Certified organisation

• Faster and higher-quality releases ensure on-time delivery

• Reduction in the testing cycles, leveraging AI accelerators and RPA frameworks, ensures faster time-to-market

• Code Reusability & Automation

• Delivers superior solutions with improved customer experience (CX) enabled by next-gen testing services

• Tool partnerships with leading vendors like UiPath Test Suite, Tricentis Tosca, AccelQ, Sofy.ai, and more

• Delighted customers – 67 NPS Score with 95% Client retention

The post 9 Things to Consider When Selecting QA Services Provider first appeared on TestingXperts.

What is Software Testing Life Cycle (STLC)?

Software Testing Life Cycle (STLC) is the process of testing software applications throughout their development cycle to ensure that they meet the required quality standards. It is an essential process that ensures the functionality, performance, security, and usability of the software.

STLC includes several stages that a software product must go through before it is released to the market. These stages include planning, preparation, execution, and reporting. The first stage, planning, involves identifying the scope of testing, determining the test objectives, and defining the testing strategies and test plans.

The preparation stage involves developing test cases, test data, and test environments, and preparing the test scripts. The execution stage involves executing the test scripts and analyzing the results. The reporting stage involves preparing test reports and communicating the test results to the stakeholders.

STLC is essential for any software development project, as it ensures that the software meets quality standards and is free from defects. It helps to identify and resolve defects early in the development process, reducing the cost of fixing defects later in the development cycle.

STLC also helps to ensure that the software is delivered on time and within budget, as it enables the project team to monitor and control the testing activities. By following the STLC process, digital businesses can ensure that their products are of high quality, reliable, and meet the needs of their customers.

STLC vs. SDLC: Key Differences

Here are seven key differences between the two models:

Purpose:

The primary purpose of SDLC is to guide the development of software from its inception to its deployment, while STLC is focused on testing and validating the software during the development cycle.

Activities:

SDLC consists of a series of stages or phases, such as requirement gathering, design, coding, testing, deployment, and maintenance. In contrast, STLC is focused specifically on testing activities, including test planning, test design, test execution, and defect management.

Scope:

SDLC covers the entire software development process, from requirements gathering to maintenance, while STLC is focused only on the testing phase.

Deliverables:

SDLC produces a variety of deliverables, including project plans, design documents, source code, and user manuals. In contrast, STLC produces test plans, test cases, test reports, and defect reports.

Approach:

SDLC is a more comprehensive approach to software development, while STLC is a narrower and more focused approach to testing.

Timing:

SDLC is an end-to-end process that spans the entire software development cycle, while STLC is a subset of SDLC that focuses only on the testing phase.

Flexibility:

SDLC is more flexible and can be adapted to different software development projects, while STLC is a more rigid process that is focused solely on testing activities.

Overall, SDLC and STLC are two complementary processes that work together to ensure the successful development and deployment of software. While SDLC covers the entire software development process, STLC focuses specifically on testing and validating the software during the development cycle.

Key Phases of STLC

There are several phases involved in the STLC, and the key phases are:

Requirement Analysis:

In this phase, the software requirements are analyzed and documented. This involves understanding the client’s requirements, identifying the scope of the project, and determining the testing objectives.

Test Planning:

In this phase, the testing team prepares a test plan that outlines the approach, resources, and schedule for the testing process. This includes identifying the testing types, techniques, tools, and environments to be used, as well as defining the roles and responsibilities of the team members.

Test Design:

In this phase, the testing team designs the test cases, scenarios, and scripts based on the requirements and test plan. This includes identifying the input data, expected outcomes, and validation criteria for each test case.

Test Execution:

In this phase, the testing team executes the test cases, scenarios, and scripts according to the test plan. This involves running the tests and recording the results, as well as identifying and reporting defects.

Test Reporting:

In this phase, the testing team prepares test reports that summarize the testing process and results. This includes documenting the test cases executed, defects found, and overall quality of the software product.

Test Closure:

In this phase, the testing team evaluates the testing process and the software product against the testing objectives and criteria. This involves reviewing the test reports, identifying areas for improvement, and making recommendations for future testing activities.

Role of STLC in SDLC

STLC is a subset of SDLC that focuses on testing activities within the software development process. The STLC is an essential component of SDLC, as it ensures the quality and reliability of the software application being developed.

The primary role of STLC in SDLC is to ensure that the software application meets the functional and non-functional requirements specified during the requirement analysis phase of SDLC. The STLC helps to identify defects and errors in the software application, ensuring that they are detected and corrected before the application is released into the market. This process helps to reduce the cost of fixing defects and errors that may be discovered after the application has been released to the end-users.

The STLC also helps to ensure that the software application is delivered on time and within budget. By identifying defects and errors early in the development process, the STLC helps to minimize delays in the software development process. This, in turn, helps to ensure that the software application is delivered on time and within budget, which is critical to the success of any software development project.

Best Practices of STLC for DevOps-driven Businesses

With the emergence of DevOps-driven businesses, the role of STLC has become even more critical. Here are seven best practices of STLC for DevOps-driven businesses:

Shift-left testing:

The shift-left approach is a DevOps practice that involves testing early in the software development life cycle (SDLC). STLC should be aligned with the shift-left approach, where testing starts in the requirements gathering phase itself. This helps identify defects and issues early in the process, reducing the cost of fixing them later.

Automated testing:

DevOps-driven businesses rely heavily on automation, and STLC is no exception. Automated testing helps reduce the testing time and allows for frequent and faster releases. Automated tests should be created as part of the development process, and the tests should be integrated with the CI/CD pipeline.

Continuous testing:

Continuous testing is an integral part of the DevOps pipeline. It involves running automated tests at every stage of the pipeline, including development, testing, staging, and production. Continuous testing helps identify defects and issues early, allowing for quicker resolution.

Test environment management:

Test environment management is crucial in DevOps-driven businesses as it involves multiple environments, including development, testing, staging, and production. It is essential to manage the test environment effectively, ensuring that it is identical to the production environment.

Collaborative testing:

Collaboration between developers, testers, and operations teams is crucial in DevOps-driven businesses. Collaborative testing involves working together to identify issues and defects, enabling quicker resolution.

Performance testing:

Performance testing is essential in DevOps-driven businesses as it helps ensure that the application meets the performance requirements. Performance testing should be automated, and the tests should be run continuously to ensure that the application can handle the expected load.

Security testing:

Security testing is essential in DevOps-driven businesses as it helps ensure that the application is secure. Security testing should be automated, and the tests should be run continuously to identify security vulnerabilities early.

In summary, DevOps-driven businesses require STLC practices that are aligned with the shift-left approach, automated, continuous, collaborative, and include performance and security testing. Implementing these best practices can help ensure that software products meet the high standards required in DevOps-driven businesses.

Conclusion

STLC, or Software Testing Life Cycle, is a structured approach to software testing that helps ensure the quality of software products before they are released to the market. It involves a series of testing phases, each with its own set of objectives and deliverables. By following a well-defined testing process, STLC helps ensure that software products are thoroughly tested and free from defects before they are released to customers.

This leads to higher customer satisfaction and fewer issues with the product in the long run. Hence, it is evident that following an STLC approach to software testing can help digital businesses improve the quality of software products, reduce costs, increase efficiency, promote better collaboration, and ensure compliance with industry standards and regulations.

How TestingXperts Helps Digital Businesses with Software Testing

TestingXperts (Tx) is one of the top 5 pure-play software testing services providers globally. Tx has been chosen as a trusted QA partner by Fortune clients and ensures superior testing outcomes for its global clientele. We have rich expertise in enabling end-to-end testing services for global clients across various industry domains like healthcare, telecom, BFSI, retail & eCommerce, etc. With our domain knowledge and with over a decade of pure play testing experience, the company has been serving the global clientele with high-quality next-gen testing services to deliver superior solutions to clients.

TestingXperts Differentiators

• Industry thought leadership in QA aligning to latest frameworks, like CMMi, ISO, and TMMis.

• End-to-end testing services experience with expertise on all industry-leading tools.

• Pre-designed TCoE framework with a focus on building test assets for processes, templates, in-house accelerators, domain and technology knowledge, IP etc.

• Dedicated test labs in the US, UK, and India to meet your needs based on your requirements offer a compelling value proposition.

• In-house frameworks, accelerators, and tools that can be readily deployed to set up the TCoE.

• Align seamlessly with your DevOps function, development methodology, and processes.

• Skilled pool of resources and flexibility for quick ramp and ramp down.

The post Software Testing Life Cycle (STLC) – An Informative Guide first appeared on TestingXperts.

1. What is Functional Testing?
2. Why Functional Testing is required?
3. What are the different types of Functional Testing?
4. How to perform Functional Testing?
5. Best practices for taking up Functional Testing
6. What are the different Functional Testing techniques?
7. Functional Testing vs. Non-Functional Testing
8. Some of the important Functional Testing tools
9. Conclusion

What is Functional Testing?

Functional testing is a form of testing and is a quality assurance process that helps to validate the system or components against various functional specifications and requirements outlined. Functional testing is a type of black-box testing as the source code of the application is not considered during the testing process.

The main purpose of this form of software testing is to test each functionality of the application by providing certain inputs and validating the outputs against the functional requirements.

In simpler words, this form of testing verifies whether the software performs in a way the users expect. As this type of testing is completely based on program specifications, it is also known as specifications-based testing. In this testing process, QA engineers focus on validating the system against the functional specifications and verifies the features against specified set of user specifications.

Why Functional Testing is required?

The need for functional testing is vital in validating the quality and functionality of the software. Through this software testing technique, quality assurance teams verify the software functionality based on the Software Requirements Specification (SRS) and ensures the system functions as per the user specifications.

This form of testing helps to check if the system is fixed for release and is error-free. This testing does not depend on any assumptions about the structure of the system, however, it ensures to deliver high-quality product. Basically, this testing method is used to test usability features, specific error conditions, checks accessibility features along with testing other important functions of the software.

What are the different types of Functional Testing?

Unit Testing:

Unit testing is the first phase of software testing in the software development lifecycle (SDLC). This functional testing type is performed by developers and they write the scripts to validate whether the small units of the application are working as per the requirements or not.

Component Testing:

This functional testing type is much similar to unit testing, but the critical difference is that it is performed by testers and it tests each object of the application separately with or without isolation of other software objects.

Smoke Testing:

Smoke testing is performed after each build is released. This functional testing type is also known as build verification testing. This process helps to test whether all the test environment aspects are running successfully and whether the build is stable or not and justifies if the build can be used for further testing process.

Sanity Testing:

Sanity testing is usually performed after smoke testing, i.e. after receiving a software build with minor changes made. In simpler words, it is used to validate the code changes introduced continue to work as expected.

Integration Testing:

Integration Testing is one of the important software testing method where individual modules of the application are combined and tested as a group to identify the functionality after combining different modules.

Regression Testing:

This functional software testing method helps in ensuring the new changes made to the code are not affecting the already existing features or functionalities of the application.

System Testing:

This is also a functional testing method that is performed after integration testing. This system testing phase is used for validating the fully integrated software application.

User Acceptance Testing (UAT):

This is the final software testing phase, wherein end-users or clients take up the roles of test engineers to validate whether the developed application is meeting the requirements or not. UAT is an important functional testing type that is performed before moving the application for production.

How to perform Functional Testing?

Understand the requirements:

Before moving ahead for the functional testing process, the initial step is to have a thorough understanding of the business requirements. This is one of the very important steps to make further steps successful.

Prepare a test plan:

For successful functional testing, a good test plan is very important. Test engineers have to work on the test objectives so that it becomes easier to schedule and organize the test activities.

Write test cases:

Another important step after analysing the requirements and having a test plan is the creation of functional test cases. Here, three important aspects have to be worked upon which includes test data, test input, and test output.

Create input data according to requirements:

To test specific functionality, testers should create data and use it as an input to test the functionality of the application. This type of data is known as input data and this data which is used to test the applications is known as test input data.

Execute test cases:

The next step is executing the test cases by using the test input data identified during the creation of test cases.

Compare actual and expected outcome through result validation:

This is the major step where the actual test output is verified against the expected test result to mark pass or fail of the tests.

Log defects:

When comparing both actual and expected outputs, the variation of the difference identified between them is noted as log defects. Testers log defects to notify the development teams so that the defects get fixed at the earliest.

Best practices for taking up Functional Testing

1. Prioritize test cases & start writing early:

It is preferred to prioritize the test cases based on the complexity-levels and start writing test cases early in the requirements analysis and design phases to better achieve functional testing objectives.

2. Plan for writing reusable test cases:

Test cases needs a lot of time and skills to work on them. Thus, it is preferable to have reusable test cases to save time. And, to write reusable test cases, it is essential to write them in simple language and ensure they are short and easy to execute.

3. Test early and test often:

It is essential to test early during the software development phase to know the bugs and issues and as features keep changing functional regression testing should be taken up to ensure existing functionalities remain unaffected with the new changes

4. Automate wherever possible:

Test automation is helpful to avoid repeated manual tasks and helps to automate processes to save time and cost. But, it is not possible to automate all test cases and hence it is essential for testers to decide which of the test cases should be automated.

5. Create a traceability matrix:

It is essential to create a traceability matrix to capture all requirements given by the client and it maps the user requirements with the test cases. It is helpful to ensure that all functionalities are covered while performing software testing.

What are the different Functional Testing techniques?

End-user based tests:

In this functional testing technique, the system is tested to validate all the components work perfectly in combination or not.

Equivalence tests:

In this equivalence test technique, the test data is divided into various partitions and the data in each of the partitions has to respond in a similar way. Thus, tests are performed on one condition; if any one of the conditions fails in any partition, then the others stop working.

Boundary value tests:

This technique helps in validating how the system performs when boundary data limits are implemented. Typically, if the provided inputs are less than the boundary values, then the test is considered as negative testing.

Decision-based tests:

This decision-based test technique helps in verifying the possible outcomes that can be achieved when a particular condition is satisfied.

Ad-hoc tests:

This testing technique helps in identifying the bugs that were not identified in any other tests. Ad-hoc testing works as a smart way to discover the bugs that are not identified earlier.

Functional Testing vs. Non-Functional Testing

Some of the important Functional Testing tools

Tools mentioned in alphabetical order

1.  AccelQ:

This is one of the popular automation tools designed for testing APIs. This tool allows an effective integration process between functional testing and API testing.

2.  Appium:

This is an open-source functional testing tool commonly used for performing functional testing for Android and iOS mobile apps. This tool supports multiple programming language such as Java, Python, Ruby, PHP, etc.

3. Selenium:

Selenium is one of the popular open-source automation testing frameworks used testing web applications. Selenium tool supports a number of operating systems, environments and browsers. It provides a playback tool for authoring functional tests and runs on Windows, Linux, Mac, etc.

4. Tricentis TOSCA:

With this tool, it is easier to perform end-to-end functional testing. This tool helps to automate all the layers of modern enterprise architecture and helps in extending the already existing tests by allowing continuous testing within the CI/CD process.

5.  TestComplete:

This is one of the widely preferred functional automation tools for desktop, mobile, and web applications. This tool supports a number of languages such as C#, VBScript, C++, etc. and is used to create automated tests across desktop, web, and mobile applications.

Conclusion

Functional testing works as an integral part of a software testing and quality assurance process and helps in validating how well the software functionalities are working based on user requirements. This functional testing method helps in ensuring that the software functions in the conformance with the requirements specifications.

This testing method results in delivering quality software that assures satisfying user experiences. There are many benefits with this testing method and there are various forms of functional testing that are useful when performed while testing software products. Leverage functional testing services from next-gen QA testing service providers to deliver applications that perfectly meets your customer requirements and business objectives.

The post Functional Testing – An Informative Guide for Beginners first appeared on TestingXperts.

1. What is Smoke Testing and why is it important?
2. Smoke Testing – ‘Verifies build stability
3. What is the scope of Smoke Testing?
4. When Smoke Testing is performed?
5. What happens if Smoke Testing is not taken up?
6. Who will do Smoke Testing?
7. Benefits of Smoke Testing
8. Important tips for performing Smoke Tests
9. What are the steps involved in Smoke Testing and how to perform them?
10. Major differences between Smoke and Sanity Testing
11. Conclusion

What is Smoke Testing and why is it important?

Quality product is what matters for enterprises today for which effective software testing is essential as it plays an important role in achieving quality. There are different types of software testing methods such as unit testing, integration testing, system testing, smoke testing, sanity testing, functional testing, non-functional testing types, etc. Out of these, smoke testing is a testing method that has its own prominence among these listed software testing methods.

Smoke testing has got its name from hardware repair systems wherein a smoke test is performed on pipelines to know whether they are working or not. Similarly, this smoke test is a quick test performed as a part of the software testing, to see if the application “catches on fire” when a new build is deployed and tested for the first time.

This type of testing is also named as build verification or build acceptance form of testing. Specifically, this should be the first method of software testing that needs to be executed when once any new code deployment or code update is done for software projects.  

Smoke Testing – ‘Verifies build stability’

The QA team is involved in the smoke testing process which is usually taken up in the QA environment which smoke tests whenever a new build is deployed. It tests whether all the test environment aspects are running successfully and whether the build is stable or not and justifies if the build can be used for further testing process. This testing method is designed to test core functionality of a new build and if the smoke test fails then it is very likely the build is immediately rejected by the QA team.

This sort of build verification testing is an effective process and is a verification method that can ensure that the product is stable and fully functional. Moreover, if a product fails smoke testing, then there is no point in further testing the product.

Therefore, the outcome of this smoke testing is very critical to determine whether a build is stable enough to carry out further testing method.

What is the scope of Smoke Testing?

Basically, smoke testing is a rapid regression test of the major functionality and shows that the product is ready for further testing. With smoke testing method, most of the defects are identified at initial stages of the software development and helps in correction of these identified defects.

With this testing method, the QA team can find defects to the application functionality and at times this testing method is also done by developers. If the smoke test is a pass then the build can be further sent to the testing process else the build is rejected.

When Smoke Testing is performed?

This testing should take place at the beginning of the software testing life cycle. Smoke testing quickly verifies the quality of the build and evaluates the basic tasks whether they can be executed or not. This method of testing should be adopted when there is a change in the build or whenever a new build is deployed.

This type of testing checks the stability of the code for each sprint with new code deployed. This testing method is executed before any detailed functional or regression testing is taken up as this testing process requires very less time to get an overview of the new code stability.

In smoke testing, the test cases usually cover the most important functionalities of the system. The basic objective of this method of testing is not to perform exhaustive testing, but to verify that the critical functionalities of the system are working fine.

This can be useful to know the below functions such as certain login functions, to check installing and running of mobile apps, or to check the responsiveness of GUI features of web apps or used while in checking some basic operations across web apps and mobile apps.

What happens if Smoke Testing is not taken up?

Specifically, if smoke testing is not performed, then there may be a situation where certain critical bugs would not be found and might become a show stopper going forward for other testing processes.

If this method of testing is not performed then there is every chance of some integration errors that might crop up while performing other methods of software testing. Further, it is essential for any new build being deployed to effectively get smoke tested to ensure whether the build can be allowed for further testing process.

Who will do Smoke Testing?

Either QA lead or QA Engineers are responsible to perform smoke testing. In case a new build of software is developed, it will be tested whether it is efficiently working or not. In a particular scenario, the QA team will list all the important aspects of the software’s features. Then smoke testing is performed to check its stability and functionality. Smoke testing is performed during the development phase in order to determine whether the requirements are in-line with the build. Smoke testing can be performed both manually and through the use of an automation tool.

Benefits of Smoke Testing

1. Detects and picks up the show stopper bugs early in the software life cycle and saves time 2. Works as a gate keeper to accept or reject a build based on its stability to allow for further testing process 3. Identifies critical blocker bugs at early stages and helps for faster bug resolution 4. Enables quality improvement as major issues are detected and corrected much earlier in the software test life cycle and thereby increases quality 5. Delivers faster feedback which is a great advantage as this testing takes very less time and ensures whether the build can be progressed for further testing process 6. Helps to uncover some of the obvious errors which saves time and effort of the testing team 7. Eases progress assessments for project managers as this method helps to assess the software development progress

Important tips for performing Smoke Tests

1. Conduct smoke tests during early stages of a project or product 2. Regularly record all the smoke tests 3. Smoke tests should not take more than an hour 4. These tests should be conducted for every sprint and every release 5. These tests are essential to be performed for each new build deployed 6. Essential to maintain a test case repository 7. Automate smoke tests wherever possible to reduce time and cost 8. Conduct smoke tests for all important and critical functionalities across new builds

What are the steps involved in Smoke Testing and how to perform them?

Identify smoke test cases:

This is a very important step while performing the smoke tests.  It is essential to identify the minimum number of test cases to cover the crucial functionalities of the product so that they can be executed quickly

Create smoke tests:

The identified smoke tests should be used to create test cases around them. The test cases are developed manually and test scripts can be created to perform automation.

Run smoke tests:

Once the smoke tests are created then they can be run on the build and results can be analyzed.

Analyze smoke tests:

After the smoke tests are performed the results should be analyzed to know whether the build is a pass or a failure

Smoke testing can be performed either manually or in some cases automation can also be adopted. But, basically there are three types of Smoke tests listed below:

Types of Smoke Tests

Manual method:

The smoke tests are run manually in this method of smoke testing wherein for each newly added feature, the scripts have to be updated or based on the need new scripts will have to be created. This is the most commonly used method for smoke testing.

Automation method:

Automation testing is also used wherein a set of automated test cases are used to run the smoke tests. With the help of automation tests, developers can check build immediately, whenever there is a new bug noted in the build.

Hybrid method:

This is a combination of both manual and automated testing methods which improves the overall smoke testing performance.

Major differences between Smoke and Sanity Testing

– Smoke testing is mostly used to check critical functionalities of a software build while sanity testing focuses on minor areas or minor functionalities. 

– Smoke tests can be performed either manually or in some cases can also be automated. But, typically sanity testing does not have any specific test cases or test scripts.

– Smoke tests are usually carried out by QA team in the QA environment but in certain cases, it can be performed by developers, while sanity tests are performed by software testers.

– Smoke testing is also called as build verification testing and is a subset of acceptance testing while sanity testing is a subset of regression testing.

– Majorly, this testing should be done for the entire application for each sprint when new build is deployed while sanity testing is taken up to test only some critical components. 

Conclusion

Today’s enterprises need quality products in the form of high performing web and mobile apps to beat the competition. In order to achieve quality products, software testing is essential.

There are different types of software testing which includes unit testing, integration testing, system testing, sanity testing, smoke testing, interface testing and many more. Among these testing methods, smoke testing plays an important role as it is performed on each new build to check if the build is broken or can be moved to further testing.

There are many benefits with smoke testing at an early stage of the product development. Hence, this testing process should be adopted as it quickly evaluates the basic functionalities of a new build and ensures whether the build is suitable to be moved for further testing process.

Therefore, while working on software products, enterprises should take into consideration smoke testing as an important testing process to judge the build stability. Leverage testing services providers end-to-end functional and non-functional testing services to achieve quality products. Talk to our experts today!

The post Smoke Testing – An Informative Guide on Smoke Testing first appeared on TestingXperts.

Software testing metrics are crucial for every agile team member, testers, QA managers, project managers, and others, as these metrics help to effectuate the software testing process one step forward. Typically, all activities done by software testers or QA teams are essentially measured, reported, and tracked with the help of these testing metrics. There is no better way to improve agile software testing than to measure the software testing progress leveraging some effective software testing metrics.

But, testers often face difficulty deciding which metrics to choose from the numerous software testing metrics available. Moreover, even if one selects the right metrics, the key to software testing success and progress lies in quantifying results obtained from evaluating these metrics. Therefore, in this blog, a detailed outlook on the agile software testing metrics has been detailed.

Content

1. An introduction to Agile Software Testing Metrics
2. Broad types of software metrics
3. Why should businesses know about Software Testing Metrics?
4. What are the benefits of leveraging Software Testing Metrics?
5. Some characteristics and components of Software Testing Metrics
6. Broad lifecycle stages of Software Testing Metrics
7. Four main categories of software testing metrics
8. What are some of the critical software testing metrics businesses should know?
9. 4 Best practices to follow for tracking Software Testing Metrics effectively
10. Conclusion

An introduction to Agile Software Testing Metrics

Software testing metrics are quantifiable measures used to determine the progress of the software testing activities. Typically, they help teams track and monitor the software testing progress, quality, and productivity. The main aim of these testing metrics is to increase the efficiency of the overall software and uat testing process. These testing metrics help stakeholders make informed decisions about further improvements in the testing process by providing related information. There are many types of software testing metrics but broadly divided into four main types.

Broad types of software metrics

Source code metrics –

The software’s source code is vital and measured for its quality using published source code metrics. These published metrics are divided into five categories based on their measure, size, complexity, coupling, cohesion, and inheritance factors.

Development metrics –

These metrics measure the software development. It is vital to measure the number of defects within the code and the time taken to fix them. There should be more emphasis on the number of defects in the code than the time taken to resolve those defects. Suppose multiple defects are occurring numerous times in the code and required to be fixed multiple times. In that case, it depicts a gap in the developer’s skills or misunderstanding of the software testing requirements that need to be adequately addressed.

Testing metrics –

These metrics measure the product’s testing efficiency and evaluate the functionality and quality of the software. There are two main categories of testing metrics based on what they measure. The first is test coverage, and the second is defect removal efficiency. Test coverage metrics measure how many test cases were executed, how many test cases were still left to be completed, what parts of the software were tested, how much percentage of testing still left, etc. Whereas the defect removal efficiency metrics measure how many defects were identified, how many defects were removed, etc., and these metrics help improve the software product quality.

Project/Program level metrics –

These metrics relate to the project quality and are used to quantify defects, cost, schedule, productivity and estimate various project resources and deliverables. Project metrics help teams to assess the health of a project and make informed decisions. These metrics reveal how well the project is getting completed as compared to KPIs selected previously. It helps project managers evaluate the project’s status, foresee possible risks, assess the team’s productivity and work quality.

Why should businesses know about Software Testing Metrics?

•  To track the quality and progress of their software testing projects

•  To determine the productivity of the existing software testing process

•  To identify the areas of improvements

•  To effectively manage priorities and workload between software testing teams

•  To help stakeholders make informed decisions about the software testing quality

•  To track and monitor the effectiveness of organizational testing processes

•  To estimate the cost and plan the schedule for future software testing projects

•  To help stakeholders decide if the existing technology or process needs an upgrade

By analyzing all the above points, businesses can further evaluate their software project’s effectiveness and software testing efficiency by using these metrics.

What are the benefits of leveraging Software Testing Metrics?

These testing metrics helps to:

•  Improve the overall project planning

•  Confirm if the test quality is up to the mark

•  Analyze risks if any

•  Estimate the future cost and time

•  Identify the areas of improvement

•  Manage the workloads

•  Reduce the overall test time

•  Improve the product quality

•  Enhance the customer satisfaction

•  Increase the ROI

•  Reduce the overall costs of the testing process

•  Forecast the production delivery

Some characteristics and components of Software Testing Metrics

•  Should be simple, easy to understand, and computable

•  Should be independent of the programming language

•  Can be automated so that testers may not have to take readings manually

•  Should make use of consistent units of measurement

•  Should be cost-effective

•  Should be adaptable to every software testing need

•  Should be able to validate the testing process reliably and accurately

Some of the important components of Software QA and test metrics are:

Broad lifecycle stages of Software Testing Metrics

Stage 1 – Analysis:

This stage involves the identification of metrics to be used. Once the metrics are identified, parameters are defined and set for evaluating the metrics.

Stage 2 – Communication:

In this stage, the need for the metrics is communicated to the testing teams and stakeholders. The testing teams are also educated about the data points that should be collected for processing the metrics.

Stage 3 – Evaluation:

In this stage, the data is captured and verified by the testing teams. It also involves the calculation of metrics value as per the data captured.

Stage 4 – Report: 

In this stage, a formal report with an effective conclusion is developed and shared with the stakeholders. Feedback is collected from the stakeholders regarding what further actions are to be taken up.

Four main categories of software testing metrics

Process metrics:

These metrics are used to measure and improve the ability of the software testing process, e.g., how many defects were identified during the testing process, how many defects were fixed, how much time was consumed in fixing the defects, etc.

Product metrics:

It deals with the quality of the software product and describes the product’s characteristics such as size, complexity, design features, performance, quality level, etc. The main aim of these metrics is to improve product quality.

Project metrics:

It describes the project characteristics such as cost, schedule, productivity, and also measures project efficiency such as how well the project is moving, and whether it is going as per schedule, or is it lagging behind the plan, etc.

People metrics:

It measures the ability and skill levels of software testing teams. E.g., Are teams working as per schedule, are the quality of defects teams identify within the stipulated time, the productivity of the team, etc.

What are some of the critical software testing metrics businesses should know?

Seven Types of Software Testing Metrics

1.  Metrics for tracking agile testing efforts

2.  Metrics for tracking test efficiency

3.  Metrics for tracking testing efforts

4.  Metrics for tracking test coverage

5.  Metrics for tracking test effectiveness

6.  Metrics for tracking defects

7.  Metrics for tracking the cost of tests

1. Metrics for tracking agile testing efforts-

These metrics measure the testing efforts put in by agile testing teams to test the product. The metrics that come under this category are:

1.1  Sprint Burndown:

It is a chart that depicts the graphical representation of the rate at which teams complete their tasks and shows how much work is yet to be completed within a defined sprint period. Typically in this chart, the sprint dates are represented on the x-axis, and ideal effort hours for completing a task using the remaining hours of effort are represented on the y-axis.

1.2  Velocity:

It measures how much work a team completes on an average during each sprint. It compares completed tasks with the team’s estimated efforts. Agile managers use these metrics to predict how quickly teams can work towards attaining goals by comparing hours committed to and completed hours in previous sprints.

1.3 Code complexity:

These metrics count some linearly independent paths through a program’s source code. It is derived via a measure named cyclomatic complexity. These metrics help agile teams to determine the risk of unstable or error-prone code. By leveraging these metrics, agile teams ensure that the code adheres to established industry standards, such as indentation, inline comments, and correct usage of spacing.

2. Metrics for tracking the test efficiency:

Test efficiency is an important attribute that needs to be evaluated effectively. It depicts the quality level of the software testing process. Below listed are some of the metrics used for test tracking and to know its efficiency:

2.1  Passed test cases percentage = (No.of passed tests) / (Total no. of tests executed)×100 2.2  Failed test cases percentage = (No.of failed tests) / (Total no. of tests executed)×100 2.3  Blocked test cases percentage = (No.of blocked tests) / (Total no. of tests executed)×100

2.4 Mean time to repair (MTTR) = Total corrective maintenance time / Number of repairs

3. Metrics for tracking the testing efforts:

It is an important metric that measures or quantifies the efforts put in by testing teams to test the product. It helps stakeholders to evaluate and compare the expected vs actual testing efforts of testing teams.

3.1 Test execution coverage percentage= (Number of tests run) / (Total number of tests to be run)×100

3.2  Number of bugs per test = (Total number of defects) / (Total number of tests) 3.3  Average time to test a bug fix = (Total time between defect fix & retest for all defects) / (Total number of defects)

4. Metrics for tracking the test coverage:

These metrics depicts the real scenarios and situations of the testing process. It measures the total number of test cases executed vs the total no. of test cases that are still left pending for execution. Below listed are some formulas used for tracking the percentage of test coverage: 4.1  Requirements coverage = (Number of requirements covered)/(Total number of requirements)×100 4.2 Automated test coverage: This metric measures the percentage of test coverage achieved by leveraging automated testing. With time, the test coverage percentage should significantly increase and results in improved software quality. The more automated test coverage percentage, the lower are the chances of defects in the software.       Automated Test Coverage = (Total automated cases)/(total automation candidates)x100

5. Metrics for tracking test effectiveness:

In contrast, to test efficiency metrics, test effectiveness metrics measure and evaluate the bugs and determine the test set’s quality. Some of these include: Test effectiveness using defect containment efficiency = (Number of bugs found in test) / (Total bugs found(Number of bugs found in test+Number of bugs found after shipping))×100

6. Metrics for tracking defects:

It measures the defect percentage, defect density, defect severity, and all other aspects related to defects. These metrics help evaluate how many defects and their severity level to ensure the quality of the software testing process. Some of them are:

6.1  Accepted defects percentage = (Number of defects accepted as valid by a dev team) / (Total number of defects reported)×100 6.2  Rejected defects percentage = (Number of defects rejected as invalid by a dev team) / (Total number of defects reported )×100 6.3  Deferred defects percentage = (Number of defects deferred for future releases) / (Total number of defects reported)×100 6.4  Fixed defects percentage = (Total no. of defects fixed) / (Total no. of defects reported)×100 6.5  Critical defects percentage = (Critical defects) / (Total defects reported)×100 6.6  Defect density = (Total number of defects) / (Total number of modules) 6.7  Meantime to detect = (Number of defects found) / (Total execution time (in hours)) 6.8  Defect severity index = ((No.of critical defects ×8)+@(No.of high severity defects ×6)+@(No.of medium severity defects ×3)+@(No.of low severity defects ×1)) / (Total no. of defects) 6.9  Defect Age (severity wise distribution): This metric reflects how many of the open bugs are open for long and the corresponding severity

6.10  Defect leakage: This metrics helps to counts the total number of escaped defects within the sprint that were found by the user rather than the agile development teams. Agile teams calculate defect leakage percentage per unit of time, per sprint, or release, etc.

Defect leakage percentage = (Total number of defects found in UAT/Production) / (Total number of defects found before UAT /Production)×100

6.11 Defect categories: The software defects can be divided into various categories such as:

• Area-wise distribution: These metrics reflect the defect distribution based on the testing type performed. E.g. Security defects, performance defects, Functional defects, etc.

• Component-wise distribution: This metrics represents the number of defects in each module of the software. By adding the number of defects in each module, testers can identify the total number of defects in the software. • Severity-wise distribution: This metrics represents the severity level of defects. It is possible that areas that have a minimum no. of defects could contain high severity defects; thus, those defects should be rectified first. It is usually represented in the form of a histogram or a Pareto chart. 6.12 Defect cycle time: These metrics measure how much time do these agile teams take from the point teams start fixing the bug till the time bug is resolved. It can be represented with the help of a chart where the x-axis represents the time, and the y-axis represents the number of hours taken to resolve the defects.

7.  Metrics for tracking the cost of tests:

During the software testing process, several components contribute to the testing cost, such as resources involved, tools and infrastructure cost, etc. It is important to track and evaluate the testing cost and to compare expected vs actual testing expenditure. The following metrics can track it:

7.1 The actual cost of testing = (Actual budget of testing) / (No. of testing requirements or test case or test hour) 7.2  Budget variance = Actual cost – Planned cost 7.3  Schedule variance = Actual time is taken to complete testing – Planned time

4 Best practices to follow for tracking Software Testing Metrics effectively

1. Link software testing metrics to business goals:

Practically, it is almost challenging to track almost everything. Therefore, software testing metrics should be linked to business priorities. It is important to prioritize and select the most relevant metrics to business, which helps them achieve their goals.

2. Analyze the trends, not just numbers:

Often, it is seen that whenever testing metrics targets are met, the software teams declare it as success. But these simple, quantifiable targets do not represent the entire story. There is a lot more effort behind software testing, and therefore, trends need to be analyzed from time to time to determine in which direction the testing efforts are going and how progressive the final results are.

3. Break measurement periods into shorter time frames:

This helps the software development teams to analyze the software metrics and trends from time to time. With the help of shorter timeframes, teams can effectively determine how well the software testing process progresses.

4. Notifies progress to stakeholders:

Software testing metrics are used to represent complex processes to management and stakeholders with the help of simple numbers. These metrics should not be treated as a means to judge individual performances as the software testing process involves a lot of effort and other non-quantifiable aspects. Thus, metrics should always be used as a discussion starter by which teams and managers could discuss necessary improvements.

Conclusion:

There are many types of software metrics available in the market. But, choosing the right metrics, implementing them correctly, and following them effectively is the only key to the success of the software testing process. TestingXperts has been at the forefront leveraging software testing techniques to deliver superior quality deliverables to its clients. Talk to our testing experts today to know about different software testing types and get an edge with high-quality products.

The post A Detailed Guide on Agile Software Testing Metrics first appeared on TestingXperts.

1. An overview of the Telecom sector
2. Increased demand for Telecom services during the pandemic
3. Broad types of Telecom applications and their significance
4. Why self-service in telecom is now a top priority?
5. Some of the pain points of telecom application users
6. Why should telecom companies leverage software testing?
7. 7.  Conclusion

An overview of the Telecom sector

The telecom industry is one of the fastest-growing industries in the world. The telecom sector comprises companies that make communications possible on a global scale and some of its segments are wired & wireless telecom carriers, communication hardware manufacturers, satellite telecom resellers, etc. With the evolution of technology, the telecom industry has got a major shift in the way it operates and delivers services to its customers.

Today, the telecom industry is leveraging the latest technologies to enable seamless services to the customer and continues to achieve sustainable growth in the market.  According to the Grand View Research, “The global telecom services market size was valued at USD 1.74 trillion in 2019 and is expected to grow at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 5.0% from 2020 to 2027.” An increasing number of mobile subscribers, soaring demand for high-speed data connectivity, and growing demand for value-added managed services are the potential factors fueling its growth.

Telecoms provide a huge range of voice and data services and the most common form of telecom service is phone service which can either be wired or wireless. Other services include the internet, television, and networking for businesses and homes that are widely being used across the globe. Though the unprecedented COVID-19 has brought in some negative impact for many industries, typically the telecom industry had some positive impact with increased service demand in leaps and bounds to keep up the fast-moving world connected.

Increased demand for Telecom services during the pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic signalled the importance of the telecommunication industry as it helped in keeping the world connected and informed during these unprecedented times. The telecom industry helped various industries, businesses, governments, societies, and people to continue their work. The telecoms helped to keep the communication uninterrupted even in situations of complete lockdown and especially the IT employees embracing the new normal of work from home. Moreover, telecoms were exempted from major COVID-19 related restrictions as it comes under essential services.

The telecom companies continued to face a short-term spike in data traffic and the increased use of broadband services due to the work from home, and specific quarantine orders imposed by various governments. There has been a sudden over-reliance on digital services and connectivity that has been faced by the telecom industry as people were majorly working from home and relied on the internet and communication channels like video conferencing tools for conducting meetings. Data density got scattered and intensified but increased as people continued to use various types of telecom apps to keep them connected during these times.

Broad types of Telecom applications and their significance

Various types of web and mobile applications continue to provide more power to the telecom sector by increasing their brand visibility by delivering a variety of features and options to end-users. Some of the features for enabling personalized customer experience (CX) include integrations of service galleries, playing videos, delivering grand music, prompting different shopping options, raising special discounts & offers, updating billing information, displaying payment options, enabling voice chats for customer support, etc. Now, let us now take a look at various types of these telecom apps and their significance in day-to-day lives:

Retailer app:

Retailer apps help telecom companies engage with their customer, understand the customer requirements, and helps to handle customer grievances. Retailer apps can be used for running deals and offers, push notifications, inform users about telecom plans & offers, display price lists, facilitate & display product reviews, etc.

Mobile wallet:

These mobile apps help telecoms & customers with the online top-ups, manage autopay options, facilitate utility bill payments, enable instant recharges, etc. Mobile wallets are an efficient solution for telecom companies and also for customers today as it helps them to receive, send and pay money on the go seamlessly.

CRM app:

These apps serve as a one-stop solution for both telecoms and customers to access information. CRM apps help telecom employees to resolve customer problems and manage tickets/queries. It also helps to manage sales, orders, and other workflows easily.

Sales support app:

Telecom sales support apps help the sales team access quick information regarding sales policies, offers, benefits, features, products, etc. With the help of sales support apps, telecom sales teams can quickly resolve customer issues.

Field service app for technicians:

These telecom apps help field staff or technicians to monitor and test network tower conditions. It also improves the efficiency and productivity of technicians. With the help of these apps, technicians can access information quickly by connecting to the command centre for the timely help.

Signal monitoring app:

These unique telecom apps help to monitor cell tower signals on the mobile apps categorized according to regions, cities, areas, etc. Since this app provides information about the strength and quality of signals in a particular region, telecoms can make informed decisions regarding acquisitions, service improvements in areas, etc.

Vendor app:

Vendor apps help to connect with vendors such as distributors, dealers, third-party service vendors, equipment dealers, etc. Vendor apps serve as a bridge between customers and telecom companies, and also with third-party providers/dealers.

Disaster management app:

Disaster management apps help to ensure business continuity in the long run for the telecom sector. These apps come with a directory feature that includes a list of all relevant emergency contacts so that customers can get in touch with them straight from the app by simply tapping on them. Another important feature of this app is listings of existing regulations in place for emergencies which help telecom employees to know whether they are complying with the rules and helps them to take the correct action.

Customer support app:

The customer support apps help telecoms to solve customer queries and handle grievances by extending support to customers. Today, customers prefer to solve their queries themselves instead of talking to a customer representative in the first place. Therefore customer support apps contain information in the form of queries or recently asked questions or FAQs.

Data collection app:

Data collection apps help telecom employees to log data directly via application instead of the traditional way where data was logged in the spreadsheet and later transferred to the central database.

But, with the world moving towards faster connectivity with mobile apps especially for telecoms, self-service has taken a higher priority.

Why self-service in telecom is now a top priority?

Customer experience has always been a top priority for telecoms, still, many of the telecom service providers face difficulty in providing a satisfactory experience to their customers. Now, it has become important for telecoms to make sure that all the touchpoints from start to end are optimized in such a way that not only the existing customers but also the prospects should get engaged seamlessly. To ensure this, telecoms are enabling the self-service option for their users via self-service apps/portals.

Today, customers want their questions to be answered and problems to be resolved in one go. Most of the customers prefer faster response times. Therefore, self-service portals act as a faster way of providing support to the customers. The self-service app/tool should have original content, proper navigation, correct integration, fast loading speed, etc. to ensure faster responses to customers for which end-to-end software testing of apps should be leveraged.

Though the self-service has taken a front row in usage, still there are certain pain points of telecom app users listed below:

Some of the pain points of telecom application users

• Due to the work from home amid pandemic, telecoms continue to face huge load on their networks which constantly is resulting in server outages, network failures, etc.  that ultimately is annoying customers.

• Incorrectly configured underlying layers of telecom mobile apps are showing software malfunctioning which continues to trouble customers.

• Poor integration with third-party applications such as payment gateways causing transaction-related issues in many telecom apps.

• Customers continue to face issues with an increase in cyber-attacks and frauds across networks thus causing concern to customers data.

• Customers continue to face challenges with the content recommendations displayed as they search for required information on telecom applications.

• In order to overcome all these above-stated challenges, telecoms should leverage software testing to ensure all applications work seamlessly by delivering great CX to users.

Why should telecom companies leverage software testing?

Telecoms should deal with the changing needs of customers for enabling a great customer experience. Today customers avail telecom services via various web and mobile apps to manage their services. To ensure that the customers get high-quality telecom services, the telecom websites, telecom apps, and self-service telecom portals should be end-to-end tested to ensure high-quality apps.

Below mentioned are some of the software testing types that telecoms should leverage to ensure high-quality telecom apps:

Conformance testing:

This form of testing helps to determine that the process, product, or service complies with the requirements of a specification, technical standard, contract, or regulation. It helps the telecoms in determining the electrical interface compatibility, conformance of the transport layers, conformance of protocols, etc.

IVR testing:

Interactive Voice Response Testing (IVR) is a software testing type that helps telecom service providers to check the functionality of customer call support systems.

Integration testing:

Integration testing is necessary for the telecom service providers as it helps to determine whether all the software modules in the mobile apps are well connected and working fine for various scenarios.

Interoperability testing:

Interoperability testing helps in verifying that the devices developed by multiple manufacturers are interacting with other software and equipment seamlessly

Performance testing:

Performance testing helps to determine the performance of telecom apps and software to ensure that only high performing apps are released into the market.

Security testing:

Security testing helps to find vulnerabilities and security issues in telecom apps. To prevent apps from rampant cyberattacks, telecoms should leverage security testing of their apps.

End-to-end digital testing:

It is important to leverage end-to-end digital testing which consists of usability testing, security testing, accessibility testing, performance testing, etc. to ensure the mobile app delivers a great customer experience.

Protocol testing:

In telecommunications, there are various types of protocols such as transmission control protocol, file transfer protocol, simple mail transfer protocol, hypertext transfer protocol, etc. These protocols contain a set of rules which must be followed properly when two connections communicate with each other and thus, these protocols need effective testing for their proper functioning.

Automation testing:

Telcom apps are prone to frequent changes such as addition or removal of certain features, GUI changes, etc. Every time a change is made, telecoms apps need to be tested thoroughly. Automation testing technique helps telecoms to reduce regression cost, quicken up the testing process, make the product reliable, and allows testing on multiple platforms.

Cloud migration testing:

Telecoms deals with important customer data and every second huge load of data are migrated to the cloud. Effective data and cloud migration testing is needed to ensure successful, safe, and secure migration of data over the cloud.

Conclusion

Telecom service providers are a major source of communication enablers across the globe. To give customers an unmatched experience, telecoms need to bring in new-age technologies and self-service portals to ensure seamless services to users. But today, telecoms are facing issues in delivering a great CX with their web and mobile apps and also with the self-service portals. Hence, telecom companies must leverage end-to-end software testing and digital testing services to ensure they deliver high quality, next-gen telecom apps that deliver an unmatched CX to the users.

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Content

What is Beta Testing?

Beta testing is a type of external user acceptance testing and is the final round of testing performed before a product is finally released to the wider audience. In this testing, a nearly completed (90-95%) version of the software, known as the beta version is released to a limited number of end-users for testing. This beta testing method is performed to gain feedback on accessibility, usability, reliability, functionality, and other aspects of the developed software.

Typically, it is a testing process in which the real users use a minimal viable product in a production environment. The stakeholders of the beta test are the product management team, quality management team, and user experience team whereas the participants of beta testing are real users or end-users of the product.

What is the purpose of Beta Testing?

The main purpose of beta testing is to get the developed product tested by real users in the production environment. This method of beta testing is conducted to gain effective feedback for product improvement before launching the product into the market for a larger set of audience. Additionally, it is a known fact that continuous improvement is an ongoing process and continues with an aim to constantly evaluate and improve products over time.

As Beta testing is done by real-users or end-users, it gives more genuine and real-time insights about whether the product will be liked by end-users or not if launched. Moreover, beta testing also focuses on real-world compatibility of the product as the product is tested in the production environment on various OS, devices, platforms, browsers, etc.

Benefits of Beta Testing

● Beta testing delivers prompt feedback on the product and this helps to improve the product quality and thereby makes the product more satisfactory for the customer even before final release

● Beta testers test the reliability, usability, robustness of the software, and gives feedback/suggestions to developers to improve the product to meet customer expectations

● Beta testing helps various organizational teams to make informed decisions about a product depending on suggestions given by the testers who are the real-time users

● Helps to cover bugs in the software which might not have been covered or have been missed during any of the testing cycles

● Gives actual insight into customer likes and dislikes about the product since the product is tested by real users in a production environment

● Helps in improving the quality of software

● Customers feel valued and their opinion is considered for improving product quality, even in beta stage

● Reduces the product failure risk as the product is already tested before launching it to market

● Increases customer satisfaction as the product is improvised as per the beta testers suggestions

What are the Beta Version releases and Beta Testing types?

Types of beta version releases:

Open beta version:

Open beta version also known as the public beta version which is opened to all users. In this testing, any users can access the beta version of the product and can give their feedback and suggestions which can help developers to improve the product. Open beta test serves a dual purpose, as users can find and report any bugs in software along with suggestions for improvement. Simultaneously, it also helps testers and developers to validate the product in the production environment whether it meets the customer’s expectations.

Closed beta version:

Closed beta version is also known as the private beta version which is a beta version that is released to a specific or limited number of users. These users are either invited or selected by the organization itself. The beta testers of closed beta versions are either the existing customers of the organization, or will be the early adopters of the product or might also be paid beta testers.

Types of Beta Testing:

Public beta testing:

In this testing method, the software product is delivered to people worldwide via online channels, and the feedback from users is collected through the online channels only. Based on this feedback and data collected from users, the changes and modifications are made to the product so that it delivers a great experience to users.

Technical beta testing:

In this testing type, the software product is released to the internal employees or technical group of an organization to gather their feedback and suggestions for product improvement.

Focused beta testing:

Focused beta testing is performed to monitor specific features or components of the software product. In this testing, the software product is released to a group of people and their feedbacks and suggestions are collected for making improvements in the product.

Post-release beta testing:

In this testing type, the software product is released to the market for the end-users, and their feedback, suggestions, and data are collected for the future release of the software.

How to create a Beta Test Strategy?

Creating a beta test strategy is very important before conducting a beta test and a beta test strategy contains the below information:

●  Business objective of the product

●  Schedule for entire beta testing phases

●  Beta test plan

●  Beta testing approach to be followed by participants or beta testers

●  Tools to be used for identification of bugs, measuring productivity, and for collecting feedback from end-users

●  Rewards and incentives if any to the participants

●  Information about entry and exit criteria

What are the steps involved in Beta Testing?

Let’s now understand the steps that are involved in performing a beta test:

1. Identify and select the target platform:

Select the right platforms for which you want to test the software product. You have to choose from various OS and devices to get your product beta tested. Based on the product and its needs, you need to choose the testing platforms.

2. Invite beta testers:

Now comes the most crucial part, invite and carefully select your beta testers. Ideally, you should have 200-300 beta testers at the start so that you can get more feedback and suggestions for product improvement. You can invite beta testers from various sources – online and offline. Sources from where you can get beta testers are – websites, social media, Reddit, forums, directories, and personal contact, etc.

3. Distribute beta testers:

Now that you have a list of beta testers ready, it’s time to send them an invite by selecting the right distribution tool. You can select the tool that best suits your requirement. Some of the tools that you can use are Testflight, Google Play Developer Console, Crashlytics (Fabric), etc.

4. Collect feedback:

Now that end-users have tested your product, it’s time to take feedback from them. Feedbacks can either be positive or negative which typically depends on the experience beta testers have with your product.

5. Evaluate and iterate:

Based on the feedback and suggestions received from the participants, make iterations to your product so that it becomes ready for delivering the best user experience.

6. Reward beta testers:

Since testers have provided their valuable time and feedback, you should reward them with promised incentives. Rewards can be of various types such as coupons, discounts, promo codes, offers, etc.

Some of the ideal use cases of Beta Testing:

User experience: 

Get an insight into your app’s performance in a real-environment to get a deep understanding of whether it is delivering a great experience to users by evaluating the feedback provided by real users or not

Load and stress test:

Test your apps with a large set of audience at the same time to check if any load handling issues are arising

Device and platform compatibility:

Test your apps on various devices and platforms to check their real-time compatibility

Battery consumption testing:

Get feedbacks from customers regarding batteries consumed by continuous usage of the application

Content testing:

Check if the content of your application such as photos, videos, texts, etc. are engaging the customer and ensure it is not hampering the overall user experience.

Alpha Testing Vs Beta Testing

Conclusion

Beta testing is an important software testing type that allows organizations to test their product with real users in a production environment before actually launching it in the market. The intensity of the beta testing can vary according to the product, but the main motive of beta testing remains to create a product that meets customer expectations and provides a great user experience.

Like every other testing method, beta testing has some challenges associated with it. Firstly, since beta testing has human involvement, it is more prone to human-errors. Also, the identification and selection of beta tester is not an easy task. Thus, it is advised to take help from an independent testing and QA services provider to get complete advantage. Leverage Beta testing from a next-gen software testing and QA services provider to achieve effective beta testing of your software. Talk to our experts.

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