10 Manual Testing Best Practices

In the intricate landscape of software development, the detection and resolution of bugs before software release are pivotal for project success. The cost of detecting bugs during the testing stage is significantly lower than in the production phase.

Despite the time and expense associated with testing, understanding, and implementing best practices in software testing can empower Quality Assurance (QA) specialists and executives to make informed decisions, leading to a more effective tasting process. In this article, we dive into the top 10 manual testing best practices, drawing inspiration from established methodologies and industry insights.

What is Testing?

Testing, in the context of software development, is a systematic and investigative process conducted to evaluate and verify that a software application or system behaves as expected. The primary goal of testing is to identify and correct defects or bugs, ensuring that the software meets specified requirements and functions correctly.

Testing involves the execution of a software component or system with the intent of finding discrepancies between the expected and actual outcomes. This process helps ensure the reliability, functionality, and quality of the software, ultimately providing confidence to stakeholders, including developers, testers, and end-users.

What is Manual Testing?

Manual testing is a process in software development where testers manually execute test cases without using any automation tools. In this approach, human testers carefully go through the software application’s features, functions, and user interfaces to identify defects, ensure its functionality, and validate that it meets specified requirements.

While manual testing has its advantages, such as flexibility and adaptability to changing requirements, it can be time-consuming and may lack the repeatability and efficiency of automated testing. Both manual and automated testing are often used in combination to achieve comprehensive test coverage in software development projects.

Now let’s move on to our topic 10 Manual Testing Best Practices

10 Manual Testing Best Practices

1. Strategic Planning for Testing Excellence

Effective manual testing should come with a meticulously crafted plan that serves as a guide for all stakeholders involved. This plan, effectively documented and adhering to SMART principles (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound), establishes a foundation for clear communication. Specific goals, measurable metrics, achievable objectives, adherence to the overall strategy, and adhesion to a timeline are the components of a robust testing plan.

2. Early Integration: Shifting Left for Success

The shift-left strategy advocates for the integration of testing from the early stages of development. This proactive approach has several advantages, including the early identification of bugs, alignment with agile development practices, and improved testing consistency. Successful integration necessitates testing at the earliest possible time, often and consistently. Additionally, the positive impacts of automated testing were highlighted, emphasizing the reduction of testing time and improvements in consistency, accuracy, and feedback.

3. Embracing Test-Oriented Development

Adopting technology-oriented development practices can significantly reduce the number of bugs and issues found during the testing stage. The mindset of testing during development is fostered through practices like pair programming, where two programmers collaboratively work on a single computer, facilitating knowledge sharing and error detection during coding. Another notable practice is test-driven development (TDD), where tests are created before writing the actual code, promoting code quality and early issue identification.

4. Thorough Documentation of Testing Results

Comprehensivе documentation of testing results is a cornerstone of effective manual testing. The first report should include bug resolution screenshots, screenshots or screenshots of identified issues, a clear description of expected functionality, and proposed solutions for bug resolution. Clarity in reporting mitigates the risk of misinterpretation, ensuring that all stakeholders have a precise understanding of the testing outcomes.

5. Comprehensive Testing Coverage

Manual testing should extend beyond mere functionality testing to encompass various dimensions of an application or API. Ensuring comprehensive testing involves adding aspects such as UI/UX, performance, and security. Focusing on all dimensions is crucial to uncovering potential problems and bugs that may impact the software’s overall success.

6. Real Device Testing for an Accurate End-User Experience

While simulation offers communication, no simulator or emulator can fully replicate the actual end-user experience. Testing in real-world conditions, including low battery levels, slow internet, network fluctuations, and pop-ups, is essential for detecting errors. Conducting tests on real devices empowers developers to identify and resolve issues before the software’s official launch.

7. Implementing Testing Metrics for Continuous Improvement

Effective utilization of testing metrics involves careful selection, realistic target setting, and collaborative use of multiple metrics. Choosing metrics aligned with business goals, setting achievable targets, and using metrics in conjunction provide a holistic view of testing efficiency. Continuous improvement is encouraged through feedback and enhancement of their performance indicators (KPIs).

8. Distributed Task Assignments Based on Skills

While communication and collaboration are vital in testing, recognizing and learning different skills within a testing team is equally crucial. Tailoring tasks based on individual team members’ skills ensures that each member contributes effectively to the testing process. For instance, writing test scripts may require QA testers with experience in scripting languages, while non-technical team messengers can handle keyword-driven tests.

9. Test One Feature Per Case for Reusability

Embracing a modular approach, wherein individual cases are written for individual features, promotes reusability and targeted error identification. This practice enables developers to isolate errors to specific features, facilitating a more straightforward debugging process. Additionally, it aids in understanding errors in specific circumstances rather than grappling with system-wide issues.

10. Provide A Vеrsion Rollback Option

Recognizing the limitations of testing in detecting all bugs, providing a version rollback option is a proactive measure. This empowers customers to revert to a previous software version in case new updates introduce unforeseen issues. Offering a vibration rollback minimizes the impact of potential bugs on end-users, fostering a sense of security and stability.

Conclusion

Incorporating these manual testing best practices into your software development lifecycle cycle can significantly enhance the quality and reliability of your software. As technology evolves, so must our testing methodologies. By adopting these practices, you pave the way for more efficient and effective testing procedures. Involving time and resources in a robust tasting strategy not only reduces the likelihood of post-production issues but also contributes to overall customer satisfaction. As you integrate these best practices into your testing regime, you’ll find your software development process becoming more systematic, reliable, and ultimately more successful.
Happy testing!

FAQs

1. Why is strategic planning crucial in manual testing?

Strategic planning ensures clear communication, specific goals, measurable metrics, achievable objectives, and adherence to timelines.

2. What is the “Shift-Left” strategy in manual testing?

“Shift-Left” advocates early testing integration, identifying bugs, aligning with agile practices, and emphasizing automation for efficiency.

3. How does Test-Oriented Development impact manual testing?

Practices like pair programming and Test-Driven Development reduce bugs by fostering a testing mindset during development.