Pair Testing in Software Testing

Prerequisite: Software Testing

Pair Testing:

Pair Testing is verification in software by duo team members operating behind a machine. The first member controls the mouse and keyboards and the second member make notes discusses test scenarios and prepare/question. One of them has to be a tester and the next has to be a developer or business analyst.  

Pair programming is a familiar practice in extreme programming. Therefore, Pair programming is considered a great approach to programming software. Likewise, pair testing is a similar process for testing software.

How to Perform Pair Testing in Software Testing:

Before starting the pair testing, some most important things to keep in mind are –

• Pairing up with Right Person: We can pair with anyone but it’s better to pair if both individuals have some sense with each other’s working process and goals effectively.
• Allocating Proper Space: The required pair need to allocate a device and space to seat together and perform the test properly. Basically, it will done via Video Conferencing tools where the driver would share the entire screen.
• Establish the Goals: After planning the structured approach to test, we need to keep an eye the areas to be covered, timebox the testing and aware about the required changes done.
• Decide the Roles: Before start the testing, we need to assign the role of driver and the navigator.
• Logging bugs and taking notes: The navigator need to take notes and maintain the bug log, when driver performs all the manual tasks. Once the process done, they should maintain a bug report and log all bugs.

Advantages Of Using Pair Testing: 

1. Developers have an approach to the software from a different or positive view. They discuss and discover what happens if I execute it or what will happen if a business analyst doesn’t implement it.
2. While Pair Testing is enforced with a business analyst, they exchange ideas and knowledge like an analyst and tester between them.
3. When a new project begins with the new team members there is often a hurdle between testers and developers.
4. If we find any trouble and want to register them in a bug registration system the trouble is automatically revisualized, therefore walking in pairs will help each other to be sharp.  

Disadvantages Of Using Pair Testing:

 When you don’t know the accurate condition for setting Pair Testing, you ought or not use it.

1. All enforced tests should be automatic and the solution of PT is findings and not test cases. We can’t use the outcome of the PT session right after test automation.
2. When there are team members there are chances that two team members may end a classing with each other. That’s why we should not use PT when the team members not communicating or working together well.
3. If you are planning to enforce structure test cases, it can’t add more value or zero value executing the test cases together. The task should be performed by one team member alone.

The setting, of Pair Testing: 

1. The team members should obligate together. It is not going to work when we try to force cooperation, so we need to create to workable atmosphere.
2. There should be a separate room or table where the team members can perform without being interrupted. They should also switch off their mobile phone and notifications for better work.  
3. The work place consists of two people who would sit behind one desk. You can’t force people if there is no space.

 Preparing Pair Testing Session: 

1. We should create an ET charter.
2. We should define the concentration and syllabus of the test.
3. We should elaborate the aims or the goals for the test.
4. We should fix a time limit to carry out the test. Normally one session is ninety minutes.
5. We should plan the meeting in a coordinate manner.

Execution Of Pair Testing Session: 

• While carrying out the session the team members should discuss the test parts and how deeply the test should be. The test should be with the targets, focused and the part of the test as described in the ET charter.
• The first team member (the driver) controls the keyboard and mouse and the second team member analyses, ask a question, and prepare notes.

Pair Testing(PT) Finishing: 

After the completion of PT session, the discoveries will be submitted to the bug registration system. If needed and not completed. The ET charter will be upgraded, the aim test will be tested where problems were found and other remarks will be checked. The scope of the ET charter is a short calculation of the PT session, what has been done well, and what should be looked after for improvement.

Finally, it is a blend of teamwork and testing but it has many advantages like sharing knowledge about testing and SUT, training new members, making barriers between members, and above that it is fun. we should use pair testing wisely.