Streamlining Your UAT Process with Reusable Testing Templates

There’s no debating the role of quality assurance (QA) testing, especially as the pace of design, development, and releases accelerate with the DevOps mentality. However, there are differences in how well some teams can streamline their efforts and amplify the impact of the work.

One of the biggest differentiating factors is how some QA teams leverage existing testing templates to not only reduce the administrative lift around software testing, but also ensure each test reflects their organization’s standards and best practices. 

So how does your organization get started with leveraging reusable testing templates? Or if your team already has some in place, how can you take them to the next level?

Why should you use reusable testing templates?

Software development is rarely done in a vacuum, unaffected by external dependencies, constraints, and pressures. That means every hour, dollar, and sprint counts when it comes to delivering secure, sound, and fit-for-purpose software.

So why is your team starting from scratch when developing test cases to evaluate the functionality and performance of your software?

That’s where shifting toward reusable testing templates can be the difference between hitting your milestones or pushing them out further. Here’s how something as conceptually simple as a testing template can set your team apart:

• Save time: Reduce the administrative elements of your QA process and give your team more time and energy for the meat of software testing. Save time by reusing standard test cases, such as those for security, integration, and usability testing.

• Ensure consistency: Whether it is a specific design style chosen by your organization or something as standard as the log-in process, having a testing template ensures your software performs as expected and products are evaluated consistently.

• Make fewer human errors: No matter how experienced your testing team is, mistakes and omissions will happen. Reduce the chance by using pre-populated testing templates that prompt for key elements or provide examples from previous tests.

What are the key elements of reusable testing templates?

A testing template accelerates and simplifies the test case creation process and ensures the necessary elements are in place. In turn, test case templates can be created for each type of test that your QA process calls for, including smoke tests, security, performance, usability, or functionality and for types of design, such as a web application, form, or log-in process.

Ensure your testing template includes the formatting and expectations for:

• The numbering system
• The test case title
• The test scope
• Testing instructions
• Preconditions
• Expected results
• Test data requirements

Make the shift to reusable testing templates.

With the right preparation, the transition to using testing templates can be the logical next step in the evolution of your QA process. 

Here are three ways to make the shift easier on your team:

• Ease test case design and management.
• Reduce the administrative lift to provide more time for testing and defect resolution.
• Increase turnaround for retesting. 

Experience the power of an industry-leading test management tool.

Software testing best practices are constantly evolving, amplifying your team’s ability to conduct more comprehensive and efficient QA. However, staying ahead of the best practices and integrating them into your workflow can be a full-time job in itself.

That’s why more organizations are turning toward test management tools like TestMonitor. TestMonitor is designed to not only ease the testing process for QA professionals and testers, but also constantly deliver the latest functionality and features organizations need to deliver bug-free software faster.

Want to see how easy it is to set up and use a testing template? Start your customized free trial today.