While the average user may boil down their feelings toward a particular piece of software in simple terms, QA managers know there is so much more to it than that.
Sound software development is actually built upon a strong foundation, consisting of thorough requirements and a comprehensive plan for testing. Without them, projects are likely to fail. In fact, according to the Journal of Defense Software Engineering, “most failures in software products are due to errors in the requirements and design phases—as high as 64 percent of total defect costs.”
QA managers know how elements of usability, software performance, security, and functionality can come together to create a product that is fit for purpose and hits on all its operational needs.
So how does a software development team reach this Holy Grail?
It all starts with a strong foundation based on sound requirements.
Fortunately, with the right planning, approach, and software testing tools, any team can build a strong foundation for quality. To continue our Software Testing Basics series, we're here to highlight the five key elements that help quality assurance teams deliver quality software.
While every QA team will have its own approach to measuring and evaluating quality, we’ve found that there are five key ingredients to achieving next-level software:
The importance of clear, complete, and testable requirements cannot be overstated. Confusing or ambiguous requirements can quickly cascade into defects, leading to costly rework and delayed releases.
Poorly-written requirements like "the system should be user-friendly" or "the application should have good performance" are too vague and lack specific metrics. These types of requirements make it challenging for testers to create effective test cases and for developers to implement the correct features.
To avoid falling into this trap, requirements should be detailed, measurable, and unambiguous. For instance, instead of subjective terms like "user-friendly," specify "the system shall respond to user inputs within two seconds on average." This allows testers to create more precise test cases and measure actual performance against these criteria.
Next to identifying the core requirements of the system, It's critical to identify and prioritize high-risk areas of your software early in the development process. This approach helps develop tests to evaluate stability and focus testing efforts on areas with the highest risk like security, usability, and performance to maximize your return on investment in testing resources.
Software developers have their own perspectives on testing. However, these should be balanced by utilizing techniques like user persona development and user input. These approaches help to create scenario-based tests that mirror real-world situations where the software will be used.
Similarly, because not all users will have a software testing background, test management tools such as TestMonitor can help by enabling the creation of testing dashboards personalized for every type of tester. These customized views help ensure all team members have access to the information they need to perform their roles effectively, regardless of their experience with testing.
A strong test case is just part of the battle.
A robust, realistic, and consistent test environment is equally crucial for enabling reliable testing results. Without one, testers facing unstable or inconsistent environments can generate false positives or negatives, causing unnecessary delays or overlooking real problems.
To help maintain a stable testing environment, consider these best practices:
Finally, robust test management tools are designed to streamline the entire testing process from start to finish. These tools—such as TestMonitor, among others—help improve efficiency, collaboration, and overall quality assurance efforts by simplifying:
QA managers will always have limited resources, tight timelines, and even tighter budgets.
However, by focusing on these five key elements, QA teams can significantly improve their ability to deliver high-quality software products no matter their constraints.
Want to experience the power of comprehensive test management firsthand? Then take a moment to set up your own free 14-day trial of TestMonitor and discover how our platform can streamline your testing processes from end to end, again and again.