Meeting user expectations is a significant challenge in software development due to communication gaps between technical and business stakeholders. These misalignments can lead to vague, missing, or incorrect requirements, resulting in lengthy back-and-forth development cycles and increasing project timelines. Moreover, test case development and execution typically start in the later stages of development. This delay often requires adjustments late in the process, resulting in delays, cost overruns, and software that fails to meet user expectations. According to the International Journal of In ..read more

With the introduction of agile methodologies and DevOps principles in the software development life cycle, software testers often face time constraints, making it challenging to craft detailed test cases. Fast development iterations also pose difficulties in keeping test cases updated with evolving product changes. Nevertheless, test cases play a crucial role in comprehensively assessing a system or product’s overall quality. Effective test cases can swiftly adapt to new or changed requirements. This adaptability is vital in large-scale project environments where multiple teams collaborate on ..read more

In the dynamic world of software testing, flaky tests are like unwelcome ghosts in the machine—appearing and disappearing unpredictably and undermining the reliability of your testing suite.  Flaky tests are inconsistent—passing at times and failing at others—without changing the code or the test environment. This inconsistency makes them unreliable as indicators of software quality and stability.  The problematic nature of flaky tests stems from their unpredictability, which introduces several challenges in software development and testing processes: Erodes trust in testing suites ..read more

In the race to meet escalating customer demands and outpace competition by swiftly deploying software and new features, treating automated testing as a luxury is a risk you can’t afford. While test automation holds the potential to expedite your time to market, achieving this efficiency requires careful planning and a well-defined test automation strategy. Components of a robust test automation strategy A robust test automation strategy typically comprises several important components: Scope and objectives Define the scope and objectives of your automation efforts by breaking down the specifi ..read more

A comprehensive test plan is the cornerstone of successful software testing, serving as a strategic document guiding the testing team throughout the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC). A test plan document is a record of the test planning process that describes the scope, approach, resources, and schedule of intended test activities. Key components of a test plan Components of a test plan include:  Scope Defines the boundaries of the testing endeavor Specifies the subject of the test Specifies any features or functionalities to be tested Out of Scope Describes the features/func ..read more

End-to-end (E2E) testing scrutinizes an application’s entire workflow from the user’s perspective, offering significant value for comprehensive application testing. It identifies potential bugs that may affect real-world users in a live environment, ensuring seamless collaboration of all application components (internal and external). In the testing pyramid, end-to-end testing is conducted after the unit testing, integration testing, and system testing phases. Refer to the real-world scenario below: E2E test: Fund transfer through a mobile banking application Due to the sensitive nature of fi ..read more

In today’s landscape of work, organizations everywhere are not just accepting remote and hybrid teams—they’re fully embracing them. Forbes predicts that by 2025, around 33 million U.S. workers will be doing some form of remote work. So what does that mean for your QA team? While QA lends itself well to a distributed work environment, there are still special considerations to consider when managing distributed QA teams. Expect to learn: The various types of hybrid and remote work models How to leverage team working agreements  Implementing a definition of “done” How to gain greater visibi ..read more

Software testing is crucial for ensuring high-quality software releases. However, one often overlooked aspect is the quality of the Quality Assurance (QA) process within your team. A well-streamlined QA process not only identifies more bugs but also aids in creating superior software that aligns with user expectations. QA fundamentals: Getting the basics right Before discussing the most essential tests, let’s look at two primary testing approaches: Black box testing A method of software testing in which the tester explores the software without knowing about its internal structure or design. Th ..read more

In today’s landscape of digital adoption and the rapid growth of software technologies, many domains leveraging technology are within regulated industries. However, with the introduction of more technology comes the need for more software—and more software testing. This article will touch on the unique attributes, challenges, and considerations of software testing within these regulated domains. Defining “regulated” industries While many industries have specific guidelines and domain nuances, we will refer to “regulated” industries as those that are governed by overarching regulatory complian ..read more

If you find yourself grappling with the complexities of a legacy tool like ALM/Quality Center (also known as OpenText ALM Quality Center, HP ALM, Micro Focus ALM/QC, HP Quality Center, or HP QC) and are seeking a more streamlined, modern, and effective solution for test management, you’re in the right place.  We’ve put together a list of the top 5 ALM/Quality Center alternatives to help you make informed decisions and discover the best test management solutions for your team. TestRail Xray Zephyr Enterprise Tricentis qTest OpenText Octane What is ALM/Quality Center? ALM/Quality Center ..read more